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.
Jazz Port Townsend workshops for 2011 are filling up fast – currently, bass, drums, and piano spots are at capacity, but we’re hoping to form additional combos to accommodate more rhythm section players.
Please contact Hali Ransom at hransom@centrum.org if you plan to audition for Jazz Port Townsend as a bassist, drummer, or pianist. Please provide your email and phone number and let us know what instrument you play, and you’ll be placed on a list until new combos can be formed in the next two weeks.
We’re continuing to accept applications for available spots for all other instruments and voice – please visit the Jazz Port Townsend registration page, and make plans now to be a part of Jazz Port Townsend in 2011.
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 are saddened to learn of the passing of noted jazz photographer Ron Hudson. Ron spent nearly four decades photographing jazz's brightest dignitaries, capturing timeless moments and committing them to history.
A musician himself, Ron was noted for his ability to capture transcendent moments in live performances. And he did it all in a signature black and white film style. No flash. Just the moment.
Ron had a special affinity for Jazz Port Townsend. For many of the last 20 years, audience members were able to see Ron's work in the audience section of McCurdy Pavilion. Each year, Ron would offer a number of prints up for raffle, and proceeds from those audience raffles supported scholarships for aspiring jazz musicians at Centrum.
"His gift as a photographer, capturing musicians at the perfect moment, is unsurpassed. Thousands of (our) customers have marveled at his artistry. He is truly a giant." - John Dimitriou, President Jazz Alley
The last few years, Ron battled cancer. Despite that, he made it to Port Townsend, shooting photos and exhibiting his work, ensuring that his work continued to support the efforts of others. Katy Bourne wrote a very touching profile of Ron a few years back, and we encourage you to read it at AllAboutJazz.com.
Our condolences to Chris and the rest of the Hudson family.
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.
On February 6, 2011, our friend Jim Wilke is broadcasting the amazing set of Larry Goldings, Jeff Hamilton and Graham Dechter from Jazz Port Townsend 2010. This trio - who Artistic Director John Clayton dubbed "The LA Organ Trio" was a highlight of the festival.
The all-star trio from Los Angeles will be featured on the next Jazz Northwest from 88.5, KPLU on Sunday, February 6 at 1 PM (Pacific). Jazz Northwest is recorded and produced by Jim Willke, exclusively for 88.5, KPLU. The program is broadcast on Sundays at 1 PM (Pacific) and streamed at kplu.org. The program is also available as a podcast after the airdate.
All three musicians have recorded frequently but have not made an album together which makes this concert a unique experience.
Organist Larry Goldings has more than a dozen CDs as a leader and many more as sideman with Carla Bley, Michael Brecker, Jim Hall, Pat Metheny and others. Guitarist Graham Dechter is still in his 20s but has played on dozens of sessions and concerts from Lincoln Center to the Hollywood Bowl. His first CD as a leader was issued in 2009. Jeff Hamilton has played with the Basie and Woody Herman bands and is co-leader of the Clayton-Hamilton Orchestra. He has also played in small groups with the LA Four, Ray Brown, Oscar Peterson and Diana Krall among many others including his own Jeff Hamilton Trio.
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!
The legendary Heath Brothers played the final concert of last Summer's mainstage series at Centrum's Jazz Port Townsend, and that concert will be broadcast Sunday, December 5 at 1 PM PT on Jazz Northwest from 88-5, KPLU and streamed at kplu.org.
The Heath Brothers Quartet is fronted by NEA Jazz Master saxophonist Jimmy Heath and his brother, drummer Albert "Tootie" Heath. Between them, they have played with a long list of other jazz masters including John Coltrane, Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, Dexter Gordon, Sonny Rollins and many others. Together with their late brother, bassist Percy Heath, the Heath Brothers have toured widely and recorded extensively.
Appearing with the Heath Brothers in this festival concert are Jeb Patton, piano and David Wong, bass. The latest CD by the group is "Endurance" (Jazz Legacy). Jimmy Heath has also recorded with the Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra, performing his suite commissioned by the SRJO, "The Endless Search" (Origin).
Also on this week's show is a brief visit to a downtown Port Townsend club following the concert for an intimate guitar duo with Graham Dechter and Dan Balmer.
Jazz Northwest is recorded and produced by Jim Wilke exclusively for 88-5 KPLU and kplu.org. The program is also available as a podcast following the airdate.
