The Ballard Jazz Festival :: April 21-25, 2010

ABOUT THIS SHOW:
DATE: Wednesday, April 21, 8:00pm, 21+
TICKET PRICES: Buy Advance: $13; $15 day of show
LOCATION: The Sunset Tavern, 5433 Ballard Avenue NW (PLEASE NOTE: THIS SHOW IS 21+)
SHOWTIME: 8:00pm
BUY TICKETS IN ADVANCE: Buy Online via this website

	Barrett Martin Drummer and composer Barrett Martin rose to international attention during the alternative music explosion of the 1990's. He currently plays with the Seattle rock band Big High, and some of his previous bands include Skin Yard, The Screaming Trees, Mad Season, and Tuatara. He has also been a session musician and sideman and he has played on, or produced, over 70 albums to date, including four solo albums and numerous film soundtracks. Over the years, Barrett has collaborated with several highly regarded musicians and poets including REM guitarist Peter Buck, Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCready, Alice In Chains vocalist Layne Stayley, Delta Blues legend CeDell Davis, Iraqi master musician Rahim Alhaj, African master musician Foday Mus Suso, Sufi poet Coleman Barks, and Native American poet Joy Harjo. Barrett is currently putting the finishing touches on his fourth solo album, "Skyline", a two disc double album which will be released in 2010. His band, the "Barrett Martin Heavy Jazz Experience" continues to play select shows and Jazz festivals in between his busy rock and roll schedule.
	Chris Icasiano and Speak Chris Icasiano is quickly establishing himself as a force in Seattle's new music and avant-garge jazz scene. He performs regularly in the co-led duo Bad Luck with long-time friend and collaborator, saxophonist Neil Welch, which was recently awarded the 2009 Alternative Jazz Group of the Year by Earshot Jazz. Bad Luck's self-titled debut album was received with much critical acclaim and has been described as, "...one of the finest Seattle Jazz recordings in years - fresh, assured, mature way beyond it's players' ages." (Peter Monaghan, Earshot Jazz). Icasiano is also a member of the progressive avant-jazz group Speak, which features many of Seattle's most forward-looking, innovative, and creative musicians, focusing predominantly on original composition and collective improvisation. Speak's debut record is slated for release in April 2010 by Origin Records in time for their appearance at the Saalfelden Jazz Festival in Austria this Summer.
	Byron Vannoy Byron Vannoy has become one of the first call drummers in Seattle’s Jazz and creative music scenes. His ability to integrate the nuances of various styles of music, with the freedom of improvisation, allows for a unique sound that always adds something special to the many musical projects he’s involved in. His versatility and innate sense of blending his sound with the other musician’s have created many lasting professional relationships. Byron has performed and recorded with Julian Priester, Herbie Hancock, Randy Brecker, Jovino Santos-Neto, Tom Scott, Wayne Horvitz, Ernestine Anderson, Ishmael Wadada Leo Smith and Hadley Caliman. Recently emerging as a bandleader and composer, Byron’s debut recording “Meridian” received national recognition as well as the 2008 Golden Ear Award for “NW Jazz Recording of the Year”.
	Thione Diop Thione Diop, Master drummer from Senegal, West Africa, is widely recognized for his powerfully expressive Djembe performances. Thione has shared the stage with such noteworthy musicians as Poncho Sanchez, Alpha Blondy, Prince Diabate and Max Romeo. Thione Diop and his group Yeke Yeke are well known from their many regional appearances in the U.S. and Canadian Northwest. Thione has collaborated with renowned griot artists Babou Laye Cissokho; master Kora player, Thierno Kouyate; Orchestra Baobab saxophonist, Thierno Ba; Xalam master, Samba Ndoc Tama player for Cheikh Lo and singer Abdoulaye N'Diaye. Thione has also organized and produced regional events such as The Spirit of West Africa Festival, bringing Senegalese and other West African artists to NW audiences, and is co-producing a documentary film, Modern Day Griots with director Malika Weeden.
	Matt Jorgensen Since moving back to Seattle in 2002 after 10 years in New York City, Matt Jorgensen has been active in all aspects of the Seattle jazz scene. He has recorded four CD ’s with his group Matt Jorgensen +451 for Origin Records, and has toured extensively from New York to LA and in 2003 picked up an award for “Best Acoustic Jazz Group” by Earshot Jazz. As a sideman he is frequently called on by an impressive list of musicians including Peter Bernstein, Eric Alexander, Bill Mays, Vincent Herring, George Colligan, Reggie Workman, Tim Ries, Chuck Leavell and others. Matt is also a founder and co-Artistic Director of the Ballard Jazz Festival and has produced jazz concerts in association with Bumbershoot and others.