Official site of the Jazz Port Townsend jazz festival, as well as other jazz education and performance programs at Centrum, the nonprofit center for the arts at Fort Worden State Park, in Port Townsend, Washington.
Gary Smulyan at Jazz Port Townsend - Photo by Jim Levitt
Congratulations to Jazz Port Townsend faculty member, Gary Smulyan, for being awarded Baritone Saxophonist of the year in JazzTimes’ 2011 Readers’ Poll!
JazzTimes Magazine asked their readers to consider artists who were notably active in the last year and to vote for their favorites in a number of categories. Among the winners are many friends and faculty of Jazz Port Townsend, present and past. Some highlights include trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire as Best New Artist, Regina Carter as Best Violinist, and Kurt Elling as Best Male Vocalist.
Also placing in the poll were Centrum friends Sachal Vasandani (new artist and male vocalist), Wycliffe Gordon (trombone), Jaleel Shaw (alto saxophone), Gary Versace (organ), Stefon Harris (vibraphone), Matt Wilson (drums), Gretchen Parlato (female vocalist), Gerald Wilson (arranger) and Jazz Port Townsend Artistic Director, John Clayton (arranger).
Centrum is thrilled to be able to count so many of the artists recognized among our Jazz Port Townsend Faculty and feels privileged to see so many members of our family honored. Congratulations!
You too can be a part of the Centrum Family. Join JazzTimes Readers’ Poll honorees Wycliffe Gordon, Gary Smulyan, Matt Wilson, and John Clayton at Jazz Port Townsend 2012. Learn more about the Jazz Port Townsend workshop.
Whether accompanying herself at the piano, fronting a trio, big band or symphony, Dee Daniels' musical career is as varied as her four-octave vocal range is thrilling. We are certainly delighted to be welcoming Dee back to Jazz Port Townsend in 2011.
Though she has a B.A. in Art Education and taught high school art for a year in Seattle, Dee quickly realized that her true calling was music. Her vocal style was born in her stepfather's church choir in Oakland, California, refined through the R&B era, polished during a five-year stay in The Netherlands and Belgium in the 1980s.
She has performed and recorded with many 'Legends of Jazz' including Toots Thielemans, Houston Person, Clark Terry, Lionel Hampton, Ed Thigpen, Monty Alexander, John Clayton, and Jeff Hamilton, Hank Jones, Bill Charlap, and Russell Malone.
A respected vocal clinician, adjudicator, and mentor, Dee presents clinics, workshops, and master classes around the world. She served on the advisory board of the Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival from 2002 – 2008, and has received several awards for her contribution in the field of music performance, music education, and community service.
Joy and sprited musical communication are what characterize the artistry of Alvester Garnett's drumming. Singers such as the living legend Abbey Lincoln, and instrumentalists Wynton Marsalis, James Carter, Regina Carter, and Cyrus Chestnut have all called on Alvester for the energy and fire that he brings to the bandstand.
When Alvester was with us back in 2009, he grabbed a video camera and talked about Jazz Port Townsend and John Clayton with workshop participants. His energy and passion shine right through; we're excited to have him back.
We're excited to welcome one of the highlights of the New York jazz scene to Jazz Port Townsend in 2011. Tenor saxophonist Joel Frahm brings with him a growing reputation as an instrumentalist, composer, and band leader.
Having made a name for himself through his associations with singer Jane Monheit and boyhood friend, pianist Brad Mehldau, Joel has also worked with Maynard Ferguson, Betty Carter, Matt Wilson, Larry Goldings, Kurt Rosenwinkel, The Village Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, Kyle Eastwood and many others.
“Joel Frahm, one of the young band leaders often heard in New York’s small jazz clubs, sounds supremely comfortable playing the tenor saxophone.” --Ben Ratliff, The New York Times
On his latest recording, We Used to Dance, Joel is surrounded by Stan Getz’s legendary rhythm section--Kenny Barron, Rufus Reid and Victor Lewis. It is his most ambitious work to date, featuring six of his original compositions. “It was an honor and a watershed experience for to make this record with these incredible musicians” he says.
Centrum is excited to welcome back Paquito D'Rivera to Jazz Port Townsend in 2011. Paquito defies categorization; the winner of nine Grammy Awards, he is celebrated both for his artistry in jazz and his achievements as a classical composer.
We're especially looking forward to the new composition dedicated to Paquito that NEA Jazz Master composer Bill Holman is writing, which will be premiered in Port Townsend during the festival in July, 2011.
Born in Havana, Cuba, Paquito D'Rivera performed at age 10 with the National Theater Orchestra, studied at the Havana Conservatory of Music and, at 17, became a featured soloist with the Cuban National Symphony. As a founding member of the Orquesta Cubana de Musica Moderna, he directed that group for two years, while at the same time playing both the clarinet and saxophone with the Cuban National Symphony Orchestra.
He eventually went on to premier several works by notable Cuban composers with the same orchestra. Additionally, he was a founding member and co-director of the innovative musical ensemble Irakere. With its explosive mixture of jazz, rock, classical and traditional Cuban music never before heard, Irakere toured extensively throughout America and Europe, winning a Grammy in the process.
His numerous recordings include more than 30 solo albums. He was a founding member of the United Nation Orchestra, a 15-piece ensemble organized by Dizzy Gillespie to showcase the fusion of Latin and Caribbean influences with jazz. D’Rivera continues to appear as guest conductor of that group which features such artists as James Moody, Slide Hampton, Airto Moreira, Flora Purim, Jon Faddis, Steve Turre, and others. A Grammy was awarded the United Nation Orchestra in 1991, the same year D’Rivera received a Lifetime Achievement Award from Carnegie Hall for his contributions to Latin music.
While Paquito D'Rivera's discography reflects a dedication and enthusiasm for Jazz, Bebop and Latin music, his contributions to classical music are impressive. They include solo performances with the London Philharmonic, the London Symphony Orchestra, the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra, the National Symphony Orchestra, the Baltimore Symphony, the Florida Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Brooklyn Philharmonic. He has also performed with the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra, the Costa Rica National Symphony, the Simón Bolivar Symphony Orchestra, the Bronx Arts Ensemble, and the St. Luke’s Chamber Orchestra, among others.
In 2005, he began touring with guitar duo Sergio and Odair Assad, in "Dances from the New World." In his passion to bring Latin repertoire to greater prominence, Mr. D'Rivera has successfully created, championed and promoted all types of classical compositions, including his three chamber compositions recorded live in concert with distinguished cellist Yo-Yo Ma in September 2003. The chamber work “Merengue,” from that live concert at Zankel Hall, was released by Sony Records and garnered Paquito his 7th Grammy as Best Instrumental Composition 2004.
We’re very excited to offer a track for arrangers and composers for the first time as part of Centrum’s Jazz Port Townsend, and we can think of no one better qualified to lead it than eminent composer/arranger Bill Holman. Bill’s music has been performed by for decades by bands led by jazz luminaries such as Count Basie, Woody Herman, Louie Bellson, Doc Severinson, Buddy Rich and many others.
In 2010 Bill was named an NEA Jazz Master, this country’s highest honor in the field of Jazz. Now you will have the opportunity to learn from this legendary composer and arranger.
You’ll work directly with Bill in studying his music and learning first hand how it’s put together. You’ll also have the chance to learn from other faculty in special topics and master classes, as well as the opportunity to play with other musicians. Here's how your schedule will look Monday - Thursday:
9 - 10:30am. small group (8 – 10) session with Bill and other arrangers. The focus will be an in-depth study of Bill’s charts, with comments on your scores as time permits.
10:45 - 11:45am. Theory and special topics classes by various faculty, open to all in the workshop. In addition to theory classes, faculty talk about their approach to improvising, the psychology of playing, practicing, their careers, and more.
1:15 - 2:45pm. Instrumental/vocal master classes by various faculty on all instruments. This is the time to dig into specific questions about playing your instrument. You're welcome to attend any you choose.
3 – 4pm. Arranger's combo rehearsal. This is your chance for all of you in the Arranging track to play together. You can try out new charts, and experiment with different voicings, etc. Instrumentation will depend on who signs up.
4:15 – 6pm. Faculty Presents concerts. Faculty play for workshop participants in an intimate, informal atmosphere. Some amazing music is made here. These are not to be missed!
Evenings. On 2 or 3 evenings Bill will lead sessions talking about and explaining his music, open to all workshop participants.
Also in the evening, selected arrangers will have the opportunity to have their music read by one of two big bands at the workshop. Afterwards you can join in any of the numerous jam sessions that spring up around the campus.
Starting Friday we shift into performance mode for all the combos, plus faculty performances on the mainstage and in downtown clubs. A major event you won’t want to miss will take place Friday afternoon, which will be the first rehearsal of a piece for big band and clarinet we've commissioned from Bill, featuring fellow NEA Jazz Master Paquito D'Rivera as soloist. The piece will receive its second rehearsal and performance on Saturday. As a bonus, you can witness the unveiling of another new piece for big band, this one by Artistic Director John Clayton. You can have a front-row seat as a top-level professional band plays these pieces for the first time and then forges them into shape for performance.
Is the Arranging track right for you?
This track is designed for musicians who have some arranging experience already, or at least the knowledge of the instrument’s ranges and transpositions. You should be comfortable reading and writing music in bass and treble clefs, and be familiar with jazz harmonies. If this sounds like you, you’re ready.
Whether you are a jazz instrumentalist, a jazz vocalist, or a jazz composer, Artistic Director John Clayton has worked with Centrum to put together a truly special jazz experience that will challenge, excite and inspire you.
We'll be spending the next few months going into greater detail about the faculty you'll work with, but let's get some business out of the way!
Now, what's in store for you. You might call it the "Year of the Composer":
Bill Holman.An NEA Jazz Master, Bill is THE elder statesman of big band composition/arranging. Centrum has received a special NEA grant to commission Bill to write a piece dedicated to Paquito D'Rivera, which will be premiered in Port Townsend during the week.
John Clayton is writing a new big band piece in honor of Centrum's founding director Joseph Wheeler, which will be premiered in Port Townsend during the week.
That's a pretty great start, but it's only the beginning.
Stefon Harris, will be spending the week with us teaching vibes and marimba. Walter Smith is an exciting tenor sax player you'll get to know. Trombone legend Jiggs Whigham is returning - and he'll be bringing an entire student big band he conducts (age 18 - 24) from Germany!
Jeff Hamilton will spend the week with you, as will the other members of his trio--Tamir Hendelman and Christoph Luty. And drummer Matt Wilson. And bari sax star Gary Smulyan. And many, many more.
So get started now. Register online - reserve your dorm space - and get working on those audition materials. We look forward to seeing you in Port Townsend in July - and stay tuned for more information on our 2011 faculty!
We wanted to make sure that those of you in the Centrum jazz community knew that Helen Wray -- George Cables' longtime life partner passed away on Sunday, November 7th after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. George has been an anchor of Jazz Port Townsend for many years, and Helen had accompanied him on a number of occasions to Port Townsend. Helen is the same Helen of Helen's Song which has become a jazz classic.
In lieu of flowers, if you would like to honor Helen, you may contribute to pancreatic cancer research. Make checks payable to UCSF Foundation with a note “Gift in memory of Helen Wray”.
UCSF Foundation Pancreas Cancer Program Box 45339 San Francisco, CA 94145-0339
Cards and letters to Helen’s family can be sent to: The Wray Family c/o Lorraine Phillips 1226 South Villa Way Walnut Creek, CA 94595-1470
Jazz in the Clubs is perhaps the signature component of the Jazz Port Townsend festival. Dozens of national and regional jazz artists perform throughout the historic downtown and uptown districts of Port Townsend, Washington's Victorian seaport and arts community.
One cover each night gives you access to all club venues. Tickets for Jazz in the Clubs, as well as all other Jazz Port
Townsend
performances, are available online,
or by calling 800-746-1982. You can also purchase tickets at each club venue while the music is playing.
We strongly encourage you to support each club venue with your purchases of food and beverages.
Saturday at Jazz Port Townsend is filled to the brim with music. At 1:30pm, we open the big hangar doors of McCurdy Pavilion and let the sun shine in for a swinging afternoon of straight-ahead jazz (we'll preview that show below). Then, after a brief dinner break, we head into our evening Pavilion show, before hitting Jazz in the Clubs. It's nearly 12 hours of music, and is a big part of the reason why people enjoy coming to Port Townsend in the middle of the summer.
Tickets for the Saturday afternoon show, as well as all other Jazz Port Townsend
performances, are available online,
or by calling 800-746-1982.
Saturday, July 31 McCurdy
Pavilion | 1:30 pm | $20/$31/$40
Masterful Piano
George Cables, solo piano
The Intrepid Fox: A Tribute to Freddie Hubbard
Terell Stafford, trumpet
George Cables, piano
Ben Wolfe, bass
Jon Wikan, drums
Introducing René Marie
René Marie, voice
Randy Halberstadt, piano
Chuck Deardorf, bass
Byron Vannoy, drums
All-Star Faculty Big Band, Directed by John Clayton
Featuring charts from Ellen Rowe, and showcasing Byron Stripling and Terrel Stafford
George Cables George, along with having played with Freddie Hubbard and Dexter Gordon (and countless others), has led his own groups and trios. But John Clayton says it best about George: "His playing will blow your mind. This guy is full of heart, full of joy, and full of music. He's a little man with a big, big palette of music."
Indeed, that big heart led him to the great Freddie Hubbard, who passed away at the end of 2008. We'll be honoring that legacy on Saturday afternoon, but here is a video of George and friends playing a tribute version of the Hubbard classic "Red Clay" at a Harlem memorial service.
René Marie We are excited to welcome Rene Marie to Port Townsend in 2010. René has proven herself to be one
of the most daring vocalists around. She is fearless in singing about
difficult situations or tackling a diverse songbook. Her releases have
earned glowing reviews for Marie’s strong vocals and innovative
material. John loves her singing, and we know you will too.
All-Star Faculty Big Band The Big Band is a highlight of the entire weekend, and this year, we're sharing the talent and music of faculty members Ellen Rowe, Byron Stripling, and Terell Stafford.
