Ballard Jazz Festival Artists

Bobby Broom

Bobby Broom's trio can be compared with Sonny Rollins' and the classic John Coltrane Quartet.
- Jazz Times

One of the world's top jazz guitarists, Chicagoan Bobby Broom was born in Harlem and raised on the Upper West Side of NYC. He took up guitar at 12 and five years later, in 1977, made his first appearance with Sonny Rollins at Carnegie Hall. He went on to tour and record with Rollins in 1981-86 and again, from 2005-2010. By 1981, Broom had recorded his debut as a leader, "Clean Sweep," for GRP Records, and performed and recorded throughout the '80s and '90s with Kenny Burrell, Stanley Turrentine, Charles Earland, Miles Davis, Kenny Garrett and Dr. John, among many others.

Bobby has spent the new millennium refocusing on his own music, especially with his Bobby Broom Trio and the Deep Blue Organ Trio. His critically acclaimed recordings for the Origin label include "Bobby Broom Plays for Monk" (2009), "The Way I Play" (2008), "Song and Dance" (2007), and Deep Blue's "Wonderful!" (2011) and Folk Music (2007).

In May, 2012, Broom releases "Upper West Side Story," his first recording of entirely original compositions. Providing a most intimate look at Broom's musical personality and the trio's fully developed group chemistry, the tunes reflect a wide range of influences across a spectrum of genres while always remaining deep in the tradition of the modern jazz guitarist. Included is the first studio recording of Broom's "D's Blues," of which a live video has been a fan favorite online for several years.

Orrin Evans

Born in Trenton, NJ, raised in Philadelphia, acoustic pianist Orrin Evans was among the "Young Lions" of straight-ahead jazz who emerged in the 1990s. With a focus on hard bop, he has also detoured into soul-jazz and R&B when backing such vocalists as Denise King and his wife, Dawn Warren. Influenced early on by McCoy Tyner, Horace Silver, Bud Powell and Thelonious Monk, Evans graduated from high school in the early 1990s and studied at Rutgers University. He went on to study privately with Kenny Barron and perform in the bands of Bobby Watson, Ralph Peterson, Duane Eubanks, singer Lenora Zenzalai-Helm and many others. Evans recorded his first CD as a leader for his own Black Entertainment label in 1994, and signed with Criss Cross Records in 1997, where he released 6 albums over the next 8 years. His latest recordings, "Faith in Action" and " Captain Black Big Band" were released on the Los Angeles-based Posi-Tone label in 2010 and 2011. He's also appeared on recordings from Sean Jones, Russell Gunn, the Mingus Big Band, Robin Eubanks, Will Calhoun, Bobby Watson, and numerous others.

Wayne Horvitz

A recent inductee into the Seattle Jazz Hall of Fame, pianist Wayne Horvitz made a name for himself long ago as one of the more creative performers in music and has been called a "defiant cross-breeder of genres." He's led many groups including Gravitas Quartet, Sweeter Than The Day, Varmint, The President, Pigpen, Zony Mash, and the Four Plus One Ensemble. He has recorded or performed with John Zorn, Bill Frisell, Elliott Sharp, Danny Barnes, Tucker Martine, Butch Morris, Fred Frith, Julian Priester, Philip Wilson, Michael Shrieve, Carla Bley, Tim Young, Bobby Previte, Skerik and others. He is perhaps most famous for being the keyboardist of the band Naked City. He has produced records for the World Saxophone Quartet, Human Feel, Marty Ehrlich, Fontella Bass, The Living Daylights, Bill Frisell or Eddie Palmieri.

Human Spirit

Thomas Marriott - trumpet; Mark Taylor - saxophone; Orrin Evans - piano; Phil Sparks - bass; Matt Jorgensen - drums

Longtime collaborators and friends, Thomas Marriott, Mark Taylor and Matt Jorgensen have combined to form the group Human Spirit.

With a combined 14 albums as leaders, and appearing on dozens more as sidemen, Thomas Marriott, Mark Taylor and Matt Jorgensen have defined the sound of modern jazz that has come out of Seattle and Origin Records over the last decade.

At the Ballard Jazz Festival they will be debuting their new CD, Dialogue: Live at the Earshot Jazz Festival.

Pearl Django

If Paris is the city of love, then Pearl Django's music is the flirtatious accompaniment.
- 6Moons.com

Michael Gray - Violin; Rick Leppanen - Double Bass; David Lange - Accordion; Ryan Hoffman - Guitar; Troy Chapman - Guitar

Now in their sixteenth year of performing, Pearl Django continues to be one of America's most respected and busiest Hot Club style groups. Their music reaches out across the divides of taste to a wide variety of audiences. Though still strongly influenced by the music of Django Reinhardt, Pearl Django's repertoire now includes many original compositions. The band's fervent followers include Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli fans, guitar enthusiasts (and guitarists!), lovers of string music, including bluegrass devotees, who relish nimble, clean, intricate picking, 'world music', fans drawn to French and Gypsy accents, plus jazz buffs and aficionados of the new swing music. Transcending simple categorization, Pearl Django packs in enthusiastic audiences at dancehalls and nightclubs, at folk music festivals and jazz festivals alike.

Gail Pettis

Four-time nominee and 2007 winner of Earshot Golden Ear Awards Northwest Vocalist of the Year, Gail's rich, warm vocals and understated phrasing have been described as "deliciously soulful" by Cadence Magazine and have inspired comparisons to Nancy Wilson, Sarah Vaughn and Carmen McRae. With an exquisitely subtle three-and-a-half-octave approach to the Great American Songbook, Gail developed a loyal following as her debut recording May I Come In? received international play throughout 2007. Here in the Moment, her follow-up release of 2010, was one of the top recordings of the year on American jazz radio and its 4-star review in Downbeat magazine earned it a feature spot in their year-end issue. Whether traveling, performing closer to home or spending time in the recording studio, Gail continues to value the freedom of personal expression she finds in music. "For me, emotion is the currency of jazz. Over the years, I have learned that wearing your heart on your sleeve is not always the best approach to every life situation, but within the context of music, vulnerability always feels right."

Chad McCullough

...a scintillating player and an authoritative presence...
- Oregon Jazz Scene

Trumpeter / composer Chad McCullough has been on an upward trend for years. He has three critically-acclaimed albums under his own name on Origin Records, several tours around the globe, and has played a key role in countless ensembles and projects. Called "one of Seattle's young musical gems" by Allaboutjazz.com, he's been carving out a name for himself in modern jazz.

Geof Bradfield

His tone is fat and buttery, his technique is flawless and his solos are spectacular.
- Jazz Review

Chicago saxophonist Geof Bradfied's latest recording, African Flowers, was inspired by a tour of Eastern and Central Africa. An extended work for sextet blending African melodies and rhythms with elements of modern jazz, the Chicago Reader referred to the debut at the Chicago Cultural Center as "a knockout." In the fall of 2010, Origin Records released African Flowers to numerous critical accolades, including an feature in Downbeat magazine and selection as a Top 10 CD of 2010 by the Los Angeles Times.

Kobie Watkins

Kobie Watkins currently tours the world with Jazz Legend Sonny Rollins and Concord Recording Artist, Kurt Elling. He has recorded three critically-acclaimed albums with guitarist Bobby Broom for Origin Records and his own solo release, "Involved," was released in 2009. Kobie is a Sabian cymbals artist.

A native of Chicago, Illinois, Kobie began as a small child listening and watching his father (Alious C. Watkins) playing drums in the church. Kobie started with pots and pans as a toddler, yet over time developed a personal system of timely discipline and structure for music and life skill.

Kobie has cultivated dynamic relationships with his peers in and out of the Jazz, Latin, and Gospel community as a drummer, percussionist and a mentor. He has played and recorded with a long list of jazz legends, including Sonny Rollins, Curtis Fuller, Arturo Sandoval, George Coleman, Ira Sullivan, Sonny Fortune, Fred Anderson, Bobby Broom, Orbert Davis, and many others. Additionally, Gospel singer Kim Burrell, R&B and Neo Soul artists Julie Dexter, Javier, Kendra Ross, Chris Robinson, and many others. Kobie has toured extensively in Africa, Europe, Asia, Canada, South America and the United States.

Todd DelGiudice

Joined by a veteran Seattle trio including John Hansen on piano, bassist Jon Hamar and drummer Byron Vannoy, DelGiudice explores his wide-ranging musical influences, creating a unique & varied yet fully cohesive story on his first OA2 release: Pencil Sketches. Raised in South Florida, DelGiudice has been an active member of the Miami, New York and Oregon jazz scenes. He was a member of one of Red Rodney's last working quintets and has performed with Maria Schneider, John Fedchock, and Ingrid Jensen, among many others.

Tim Young

Timothy Young began playing guitar at age 5 under tutelage of Sister Margaruite of the Sacred Heart Convent in Menlo Park, CA. He currently lives in Los Angeles. He plays in The Youngs, THRUSTER!, Sweeter then the Day, Young and Moore and Re;Agent. An active studio musician and consummate artist, Tim has performed with, recorded with, or produced the following artists: Wayne Horvitz - Zony Mash, Sweeter Than the Day, Eyvind Kang, Laura Viers, Sam Rivers, Bill Frisell, Julian Priester, and John Zorn, to name a few.

Clipper Anderson

The Seattle bassist has been an unassuming yet vital figure on the Northwest jazz scene for almost three decades. He has lent his talents to countless recordings and live performances, including work with Michael Brecker, Benny Golson, Paquito D'Rivera, Phil Woods, Peter Erskine, Bob Mintzer, Lew Soloff, Bucky Pizzarelli, and Buddy DeFranco. With "The Road Home," Anderson makes his debut as a solo artist and composer, crafting a thoughtful collection of original music that reflects his influences and pays homage to his mentors. Tonight he is joined by two of the Northwest's hardest working artists: Darrin Clendenin on piano and Brad Boal on drums.

Jeff Baker

...one of the best male vocalists in the jazz world today,"
WCLK, Atlanta

Jeff Baker's four albums on OA2 Records have helped solidify his status as one of the most significant new talents in vocal jazz, with his exciting live performances, diverse musical recordings, and infectious energy & personality gaining him accolades from critics and listeners alike. Also sought after for his significant abilities as a music educator, Jeff is the Executive Director of ArtsWest School in Eagle, Idaho where his vocal jazz groups continually walk away with top prizes at festivals across the country.

Jovino Santos Neto

Three-time Latin Grammy nominee Jovino Santos Neto, a master pianist, composer and arranger, is among the top Brazilian musicians working today. A long-time faculty member at Cornish College of the Arts, he has throughout his career been closely affiliated with the Brazilian master Hermeto Pascoal. He was an integral part of Pascoal's group from 1977 to1992, where he fine-tuned his artistry, performing around the world and co-producing several legendary records. His newest recording, Veja o Som (See the Sound), a double CD of duos with musicians such as Bill Frisell, Joe Locke, Paquito d'Rivera, Anat Cohen, Joao Donato, Airto Moreira, Joyce, Paula Morelenbaum and Monica Salmaso, among others, was released on Adventure Music in 2010.

Scenes

Considerably absorbing...Dynamically astute and rhythmically sensitive, this is very satisfying music, the kind of interactive Jazz that doesn't hit you over the head as much as insinuate itself into your consciousness.
- Stuart Kempsky, CADENCE

After a decade of performing together, the rapport between guitarist John Stowell, bassist Jeff Johnson, and drummer John Bishop has reached what Cadence magazine calls "an enviable tightness." Whether performing their intriguing originals or the thoughtful reimaginings of less-done classics, each piece is a ticket to somewhere unique, like a travelogue of where the trio's members have been and where they would like to go. "...musical creativity at its best." Richard Kamins, Hartford Courant.

Table & Chairs

Table & Chairs is a brand new record label that was started in 2011 by a collection of up-and-coming musicians in Seattle's new improvised music scene. Many members of the T&C family have performed as part of the Ballard Jazz Festival in years past including: Neil Welch, Luke Bergman, Chemical Clock, Chris Icasiano, Burn List, and Andy Clausen to name a few. In just under a year, T&C has released twelve new records, all of which have been received with critical acclaim. In addition to championing the local burgeoning new music scene, T&C also hosts a weekly free-improvisation jam session that has been running successfully for over two years at Cafe Racer in Seattle.

Jon Alberts/Tad Britton/Dean Schmidt

Pianist/entrepreneur, Jon Alberts, has been a promotor of live, local jazz players in Seattle since 1995 when he opened the Fremont Noodle House and performed every week with band mates, Hans Teuber, Jeff Johnson and Tad Britton. In 2001, Alberts opened the Thaiku restaurant in the heart of old Ballard where he helped expand and promote the live, local jazz tradition in Thaiku's Fu Kun Wu Lounge. His debut Origin release Apothecary conveys much of the hidden beauty of the Seattle jazz scene providing evidence that jazz is alive and well there.

Peter Daniel

A Seattle-area native, Peter Daniel is a quickly-rising, contemporary saxophonist & accomplished improviser. His experience and professionalism have made him a first-call for area bands, and his quartet is becoming one of the Northwest's go-to groups for clubs and festivals. Peter's group performs an exciting mix of standards and originals.