Jazz at Centrum

Jazz in the Clubs Venue Map

Jazz in the Clubs showcases intimate jazz in downtown and uptown venues. New this year, is Manresa Castle, which is on Sims Way up by the hospital (in case you get overwhelmed with Jazz Fever!).

Need to know where these clubs are? Our club map is on page 24 of the summer issue of Experience (which also contains full schedule and artist information).

You can also download the club map as a one-page handout.

Now that you know where you're going, it's time to learn who you're going to see:

• Jazz Port Townsend Mainstage Schedule
• Jazz Port Townsend Club Schedule

Seven Steps to Heaven

[Lynne Arriale and band onstage]

Pianist, composer Lynne Arriale began studying music at age four, eventually earning a masters degree in piano performance before turning to jazz. Her chops as a singer, composer, leader, and pianist shine through her compelling originals known for their heartfelt, folkloric quality, as well as reinventions of pop classics. The Lynne Arriale Trio now performs internationally and celebrated its tenth anniversary with Come Together, its ninth CD release.

The Trio's previous CD, Inspiration, was named the number one hit on national jazz radio, and number one in the New Yorker's "Best CDs of 2003."

This year, the Lynne Arriale Trio has played numerous concerts and festivals on tours throughout Europe and North America. Arriale will be a featured club performer at Jazz Port Townsend, performing Thursday, July 26, at the Upstage and Friday, July 27, at Khu Larb Thai. Tickets are available by calling Centrum at 360.385.3102, x117 and online at our secure Acteva site.

Tamir Hendelman

Centrum is pleased to showcase award-winning pianist Tamir Hendelman at Jazz Port Townsend in 2007. Tamir began studying the piano at the age of six, attending the Anazagi Conservatory in Tel Aviv, Israel. During this period, a Count Basie recording introduced him to jazz. In 1984, his family moved to Los Angeles. Two years later, at the age of fourteen, Tamir won top honors at Yamaha's national keyboard competition. As a result, performances in Japan and at the Kennedy Center followed.

In 1988, Tamir studied composition at the Tanglewood Institute where he received his first writing commission for large ensemble. The Eastman School of Music was his the next stop. This experience afforded him learning opportunities with Ron Carter and jazz great Lee Konitz.

Since returning to Los Angeles in 1996, Tamir (pictured, left, with Jeff Hamilton) has been in demand as both pianist and arranger. His accomplishments include receiving awards from ASCAP and the National Foundation For Advancement in the Arts and serving as the musical director for Lovewell Institute for Creative Arts. In March of 2000, Tamir joined the Jeff Hamilton Trio and in January of 2001, became the pianist with the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra.

On Saturday, July 28, at 1:30 pm, Tamir Hendelman performs with singer Roberta Gambarini, John Clayton (bass) and Joe LaBarbera (drums). The set follows a performance by Joe Locke and is followed by the Jazz Port Townsend Festival All-Star Big Band, led by and featuring the music of NEA Jazz Master Gerald Wilson. Reserved-seating tickets are available by calling Centrum at 360.385.3102, x117 and online at our secure Acteva site.

The Vocal Stylings of Dee Daniels

Dee Daniels offers the jazz aficionado an ultimate treat—jazz served up with full-bodied silky tones that soar and capture the depth of her four-octave range.

Daniels’s style was born in her stepfather’s church choir in Oakland, California and was brought to full fruition during a five-year stay in Europe from 1982 to 1987. Her international career includes performances in eleven African countries, Australia, Hong Kong, and Japan, as well as in North America and multiple European gigs.

Her CDs include Jazzinit, Feels So Good, Love Story, Wish Me Love, and Let’s Talk Business. A DVD, Live at Biblo, recorded in Belgium, shows off her vocal stylings. 

In 2002, Daniels was inducted into the British Columbia Entertainment Hall of Fame and a plaque was installed on Vancouver’s Walk of Fame. Her 2006 tours ended with a bang. After a sold-out tour of the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany in December, she sang with the Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra as a guest vocalist in their Sacred Music of Duke Ellington Concert.

In March, 2007, she recorded a new CD, Jazzinit, which is now available. She has been touring for several months and will be a vocal instructor at Jazz Port Townsend from July 22-29. Tickets to Jazz Port Townsend shows are going fast but good seats are still available for Friday, July 27, at 7:30 pm, Saturday, July 28, at 1:30 pm, and Saturday, July 28, at 7:30 pm.

The Next Generation: Brothers David and Thomas Marriott

David and Thomas Mariott, who began honing their musical chops at Seattle’s Garfield High School as well as Jazz Port Townsend for many years, return to Port Townsend this July 22-29 to teach workshops and give performances.

Trumpeter Thomas Marriott (right), first gained attention with the 1997 release of Open Season.

"Thomas Marriott is one of the most promising young trumpet players in the region,” writes Earshot Magazine. “He combines lighting-quick articulation with walloping bop chops, energy, and knowledge of the tradition.”

Solo efforts on his recent albums and performances with luminaries such as Rosemary Clooney, the Chico O’Farrell Orchestra, Ritchie Cole, and Joe Locke have earned him numerous awards and recognition throughout the music world.

In 2000, Thomas joined the Maynard Ferguson Big Band, and relocated to New York City. After completing three world tours with Ferguson, Thomas worked in and around New York with musicians as diverse as Bob Berg, The Tito Puente Orchestra, Eric Reed, Brian Lynch, Bebo Valdez, Eddie Palmieri and many others.

Now making Seattle his home once again, Thomas released his first solo album, Individuation, in 2005.

Award-winning trombonist David Marriott (left), is equally at home as a performer, composer, arranger, and educator. Co-leader, with brother Thomas, of the Marriott Jazz Quintet, David wrote and arranges most of the music performs.

David received critical acclaim for his CD Septology: In The Beginning, a seven-part jazz suite. And as a teacher of improvisation, theory, and history, David continues to pass the jazz tradition along to others as a Jazz Port Townsend favorite. 

The brothers’ quintet, the Marriott Jazz Quintet, is a hard-swinging, high energy band that has drawn acclaim and awards from the Pacific Northwest to New York City. The band’s repertoire ranges from bebop to ballads, sprinkled with the flavor of original compositions. In the tradition of the small bands led by Miles Davis, Woody Shaw, and Herbie Hancock, the group's attitude stems from their common appreciation for swing, tradition, and pure fun.

Open Season, the quintet's first CD, was NPR’s Jim Wilke’s number one pick for Best Northwest CD releases, an honor also accorded to the group’s most recent release, The High Country.

The Marriott brothers will be performing at Jazz Port Townsend. Their club performances will be Friday, July 27 and Saturday, July 28. Thomas will play with vibist Joe Locke on both nights at Port Townsend's Manresa Castle while David will be part of an all-star nonet playing on the historic Port Townsend waterfront. Tickets are available by calling Centrum at 360.385.3102, x117 as well as online at our secure Acteva site.

Everybody's Got Something To Say (A True Story)

It is known that I had a close relationship with Ray Brown.  One of the lessons I learned from him came out of a personally embarrassing experience.

As a teen, the more I learned about Ray Brown, the more I wanted to do what he did. It was probably that, more than being "like" him.  I wanted to play bass, travel with Oscar Peterson, play on movie soundtracks and television shows--all of it.  He could be who he was, but I just wanted to be like him.  On top of his lifestyle, I truly love/loved his music.

This whole "need to belong and be accepted" thing that takes over your life as a teen surfaced when Ray and I were talking one day.

Ray asked me,

"Did you go hear the bass player from our class that we were talking about the other day?"
"Yes, I did."
"How did he sound?"
"He sounded okay, I guess.  His groove was a little funny, the intonation wasn't really good, solos were a bit weak, too."
"Hmm.  Well, how was the piano player? I remember he's blind."
"The piano player was alright--about as good as a blind piano player can be."

Ray looked at me, eyes VERY wide, and he said,

"Have you ever heard of Art Tatum?"
"No, I don't think so."
"You go out and get some Art Tatum records.  We'll talk after that."

I did and we did.  Of course, I heard some of the most miraculous piano playing I had ever heard on those recordings.  It wasn't just the technique, it was the content.  Art Tatum was a "baaaad Motor Scooter," as we like to say on the street.

Ray's lesson concluded with,

"We musicians can be our own worst enemies, if we're not careful.  We need to support each other.  With all of the piano playing that Art Tatum could do, he would get in a taxi and ride across town to hear a piano player play blues with one finger.  EVERYBODY has something to say in music.  It's important for us to support each other in this music business."

Thank you, Ray Brown.
Amen.

Vibist Joe Locke to play Two Jazz Port Townsend Shows

[Joe Locke and Geoffrey Keezer onstage in Tokyo]

Joe Locke, voted the number one vibist in both Downbeat Magazine's Critic's Poll and Brazil's International Jazz Poll, will be at Jazz Port Townsend this month, giving two mainstage performances. He'll lead off the Saturday, July 28 afternoon performance, playing with Bruce Forman (guitar), Chuck Deardorf (bass), and Jon Wikan (drums). That evening, he closes the 7:30 performance by playing with the Alma College Percussion Ensemble as Special Guest.

The evening performance brings Locke together with the group that left John Clayton with his "jaw on the floor." "The ensemble's not just precise, it's passionate," Clayton says. "It's not just synched, it's soulful. They're exciting, their music's beautiful, and they give experiences no one in the audience will soon forget."

Tickets to the afternoon and evening shows are available by calling Centrum at 360.385.3102, x117 or online at our secure Acteva site.

Jeff Hamilton on Drums

[Jeff Hamilton in an onstage performance]

Get up close and personal with a Jeff Hamilton onstage solo!

At Jazz Port Townsend, Jeff Hamilton anchors the Houston Person Trio Friday, July 27, at 7:30 pm. He'll play with legendary saxophonist Person and Japanese organ sensation Atsuko Hashimoto.

Reserved seats are $26/21; youth 18 years of age or under attend for $9. Tickets are available by calling Centrum at 360.385.3102, x117 or online at our secure Acteva site. 

The Benny Green Trio with Harry Allen

[The Benny Green Trio live with Harry Allen]

As a teenager, pianist Benny Green worked with Eddie Henderson and got big band experience with a twelve-piece group led by Chuck Israels. After a stint with Bobby Watson, Green worked with Betty Carter, Art Blakey, and Freddie Hubbard.

Green has spent the last decade leadings his own trios, accompanying singers, and collaborating with guitarist Russell Malone. He cites Erroll Garner, Ahmad Jamal, Phineas Newborn, Bud Powell, and Oscar Peterson as main influences. He says, "For me and a lot of musicians that I admire, the main focus is to just swing and have fun and share those feelings with the audience. If I'm able to convey that, then I feel like I'm doing something positive."

Benny Green will be playing at the Upstage Restaurant in downtown Port Townsend on both Friday, July 27 and Saturday, July 28. His sets start at 10 pm and last until after midnight. Tickets are available by calling Centrum at 360.385.3102, x117 and online on our secure Acteva site.