Jazz at Centrum

Jazz Port Townsend Participants

“My time at Centrum changed my life. I got to see top notch performances, along with playing with some incredible young musicians. The staff is also great. Real down-to-earth and willing to teach. In the jazz world, a lot of the upper level players won’t give you their technique because it is a secret. I felt that at Centrum it’s the opposite—the staff wants you to ask questions.”

“There are so many amazing things about being at Centrum: talented artists who are so accessible and willing to teach, the challenges to my playing, the town, the physical environment, the proximity to the sea.” 

“Every summer, it’s like Port Townsend, Washington, turns into New York City—that’s how good the arts are, here.”

Registration for Jazz Port Townsend, July 20-27, 2008, has begun. You can follow the links to the upper right, or follow this link.
          

Grammy Congratulations to John Clayton and Paquito D'Rivera

Last night was a strong night for jazz at the Grammys. Herbie Hancock took honors for Album of the Year, and two Jazz Port Townsend artists took home statues as well.

Congratulations to artistic director John Clayton, who won a Grammy for Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s): "I'm Gonna Live Till I Die," John Clayton, arranger (Queen Latifah).

...and kudos to Paquito D'Rivera, whose quintet scored a Grammy for Latin Jazz Album: 'Funk Tango.'

The Jazz Stylings of Paquito D'Rivera

[Paquito D'Rivera onstage]

Paquito D’Rivera was named an NEA Jazz Masters in 2005, and in 2007 he was given the Living Legend Award. A Cuban-born child prodigy, D’Rivera played clarinet and saxophone in the Cuban National Symphony Orchestra while serving as a founding member of Orquesta Cuba de Musica Moderna and co-director and founder of the award-winning Cuban jazz band Irakere.

D'Rivera has released over thirty solo jazz and Latin music recordings, and has won eight Grammy Awards. He will be at Jazz Port Townsend in 2008.