I just got word that one of the masters of Cuban music, Bebo Valdez, has passed away. I will never forget the time I was asked to sub on a recording session with Mr. Valdez in November of 2002 at Avatar Studios in New York. Todd Barkan assembled an “all-star” group of musician for Bebo’s first recording session in the United States. That’s me (when I had hair) at the bottom left of the picture, next to the headphone box. I was surrounded by the heaviest of heavy-weights. I was totally out of my league and I will never forget the experience and am grateful to Ray Vega for sending me to the session. To this day, I don’t know if any of my notes made it on the album, which was nominated for a Grammy Award. But to me it didn’t matter. The opportunity to participate in the day-long session was one of the best experiences of my professional life.
On the session were : Paquito D’Rivera (alto), Bobby Porcelli (alto), Mario Rivera (tenor), Bob Franceschini (tenor), Pablo Calogero (bari), Diego Urcola (trumpet), Michael Mossman (trumpet) Raul Agraz (trumpet), Ray Vega (trumpet), John Walsh (trumpet), Juan Pablo Torres (trombone), Luis Bonilla (trombone), Papo Vasquez (trombone), Douglas Purviance (trombone), Edgardo Miranda (guitar), John Benitez (bass), Dafnis Prieto (drums), Milton Cardona (percussion), Joe Gonzalez (percussion), Rickard Valdez (percussion) and of course, Bebo Valdez (piano).
Looking back at 2012 I am remembering all of the great music I had the opportunity to be involved in last year. Ray Vega and I performed at the Jazz Education Network Conference in Louisville, followed by a great night with Cory Christiansen at the Jazz Kitchen in Indianapolis. I got to play on the premier of a new work by Tom Varner (and the record too!), a tribute to Charles Mingus with Sonando, and some great gigs with Chris Stover’s AIN Ensemble, Alan Jones Sextet, Frieze of Life, Carlos Cascante Y Su Tumbao, Rob Schepps Big Band, Ryan Shea Smith, Suffering Fuckheads and all the great Friday nights at the New Orleans Cafe with my band Flexicon.
I also had the opportunity to tour with my fellow band-mates Mark Taylor and Matt Jorgensen as Human Spirit, celebrating the release of our new album with Orrin Evans and Essiet Essiet. I had a composition featured on the Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra’s “North By Northwest Concert” and got to play with Branford Marsalis in the SRJO as well. I also was lucky enough to experience an amazing night of music with Orrin Evan’s Captain Black Big Band at Smoke in New York, following the Human Spirit gig at Small’s.
I had the great fortune to play with songwriter Johnny Mandel at the Port Townsend Jazz Festival and Michael Fienstein at Benaroya Hall in the same weekend! 2012 also saw the birth of my brother David Marriott’s 13 piece Triskadeka Band. We had a ball doing another sold-out 5-Trumpet gig with Jim Rotondi, Jay Thomas, Jim Sisko and Ray Vega at Tula’s. And 2012 was the year I became a Yamaha Performing Artist. A DAMN GOOD YEAR! Thanks everyone for all of your support!
For nearly three years, Flexicon has been playing every Friday at The New Orleans Creole Restaurant in Seattle’s historic Pioneer Square neighborhood. I never thought it would last three months, let alone three years. We’ve played host to lots of special guests and seen a lot of “colorful” scenes of nightlife during our tenure. Sadly, all good things must come to and end and the new management of the club has decided to do away with most of the live music. Our last show there will be December 28th, 2012. I hope you can join us for one last blowout. The music starts at 8:00pm, drinks are stiff and the food is cheap. See you there!
There are lots of ways to celebrate the end of the world. I’m not sure December 21st will be THE END of life as we know it. But, it will be the end of one very long week! Join Human Spirit as we ring in the Mayan New Year at Tula’s Restaurant and Nightclub on December 21st at 8:30. Matt Jorgensen and 451 open at 7:30. Hope you can be there to celebrate, it might just be the second-best way to enjoy the end of the world!
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!
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