On December 19th, 2012 I officially became a Yamaha Performing Artist and I couldn’t be happier. I now play Yamaha instruments exclusively and let me tell you they are some of the best in the world. I have been playing the YTR 8310Z for the past few months and am extremely satisfied with the richness of sound and ease of response. Thanks to the folks at Yamaha for inviting me to join such a world-class organization.
I am delighted to be playing some great shows this fall with Mark Taylor, Matt Jorgensen and especially Orrin Evans and Essiet Essiet. Here’s what’s coming soon!
October 15 – Highline Community College
afternoon masterclass
October 16 – 17 – Earshot Jazz Festival, Seattle, WA
Tula’s Jazz Club
2214 Second Avenue
Seattle, WA
206-443-4221
with Orrin Evans (piano) and Essiet Essiet (bass)
October 18 – Blue Horse Gallery, Bellingham, WA
301 West Holly Street
Bellingham, WA
360-671-2305, 7:00pm
with Orrin Evans (piano) and Essiet Essiet (bass)
October 19 – 20: The Cellar, Vancouver, BC
3611 West Broadway Street
Vancouver, BC
(604) 738-1959. Sets at 8:00 & 9:30pm
with Orrin Evans (piano) and Essiet Essiet (bass)
November 14 – Chris’ Jazz Cafe, Philadelphia, PA
1421 Sansom Street
Philadelphia, PA
(215) 568-3131, 7:00pm
November 15 – Smalls Jazz Club, New York, NY
183 West 10th Street
New York, NY
AND – on November 19th I’ll be playing with Orrin Evan’s Captain Black Big Band at Smoke Jazz Club, New York, NY. Drop in, it’s going to be fun!
Human Spirit takes the stage at one of Chicago’s finest music venues October 5th & 6th. Andy’s historic nightclub is home to some of the best live music in Chicago and we are delighted to be playing there once again. In addition to myself and Mark Taylor on saxophone, we will be joined by special guests Matt Ulery on bass and Chip Stephens on piano. Filling-in for our usual drummer, Matt Jorgensen (on tour in Germany), is the ever-present John Bishop. It’s going to be great! Join us for the late show Friday and Saturday from 9:30 PM to 1:30 AM. More information can be found HERE. See you there!
Monday, September 10, 2012 at 11:47AM
Thomas Marriottwill present a FREE clinic on Jazz Trumpet Technique at Kennelly Keys Music in Lynwood, WA. The clinic will be held on September 20 from 5:30 to 6:30. Doors will open at 5pm and instruments will be available for testing before and after the clinic.
Location Address: Roy’s Place Recital Hall, 4926 196th St, Lynnwood WA 98306
Sponsored by E.K. Blessing and Kennelly Keys Music.
This past weekend we finished up production on the newest album by Ray Vega. I was delighted to be the producer of this new project by the veteran trumpet player who is now making his home in Burlington, Vermont after fifty years in New York City. Ray has long been known for his association with giants of latin-jazz such as Tito Puente, Eddie Palmieri and Ray Barretto. Most folks don’t know that Ray is one of the truly unique voices in straight ahead jazz as well. This new project is Ray’s first straight ahead jazz album as a leader and featured some great new tunes as well as some classics. Featured on the album are Seattle musicians Matt Jorgensen and Phil Sparks as well as pianist George Colligan. Look for this album to be released early next year, it’s going to be HOT!
I was very sad to hear about the sudden and untimely death of Gaye Anderson, owner and soul-proprietor of The New Orleans Creole Restaurant in Seattle’s Pioneer Square. I played my first paid gig at the New Orleans when I was 14 years old, subbing for trumpeter / saxophonist Jay Thomas (I think I got paid $20). As a teenager I was a Wednesday night regular at Floyd Standifer’s long standing gig at the New Orleans. For the past two (plus) years my band Flexicon has been the regular Friday night band there.
Always present at the club was Gaye Anderson, one of the biggest supporters of music there ever was. On slow nights Gaye would pay the band and forgo her own pay. She never failed to step up to the plate to host a benefit, memorial, going away party or any other community related event. She never asked “What’s in it for me?” If she could do something to help out the musicians in Seattle, she would.
With Gaye’s passing, it’s hard to know what will become of the New Orleans. We’ll still be there on Fridays until things change, which inevitably they will. In the mean time, do yourself a favor and see what a labor of love looks like until it goes away. They have great music every night of the week and can use your support.
Gaye – thank you for your generous spirit and commitment to music. You will be missed!
Here are some of our upcoming performances, hope to see you there:
August 17th – Seattle – Cedarbrook Lodge with special guest George Colligan,
August 18th – Seattle – Eagan’s Ballard Jam House with special guest George Colligan
October 5th – Chicago – Andy’s Jazz Club
October 6th – Chicago – Andy’s Jazz Club
October 15th – Tacoma – Highline Community College
October 16th – Seattle – Earshot Jazz Festival
October 17th – Seattle – Earshot Jazz Festival
October 18th – Bellingham – Blue Horse Gallery
October 19th – Vancouver, BC – The Cellar
October 20th – Vancouver, BC, – The Cellar
November 14th – Philadelphia – Chris’ Jazz Club
November 15th – New York, NY – Small’s Jazz Club
Last October we had the great pleasure of recording Human Spirit live at the Earshot Jazz Festival over two nights at Tula’s Restaurant and Nightclub. Featuring special guests Orrin Evans and Essiet Essiet, both sold-out nights were recorded and edited down for release on Origin Records. The new album “Dialogue: Live At The Earshot Jazz Festival” was just released to almost immediate critical acclaim. Be the first one on your block to have the new Human Spirit album! Get yours HERE!
Over the years I’ve made quite a few trips to play at The Cellar in Vancouver B.C. and the upcoming shows on May 11 and 12 are destined to be a lot of fun. Human Spirit will be joined by bassist Adam Thomas and the multi-instrumentalist Brad Turner on piano. The Cellar is a great place to hear live music, a real joint! If you are going to be in the area, come by and see us.
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