Jazz

Tord Gustavsen Trio

Photos: Tord Gustavsen Trio at Town Hall

2023-02-18 Hardly Raining Tord Gustavsen Trio performed in Seattle on February 18, 2023. The Norwegian jazz ensemble included Tord Gustavsen (piano, electronics), Steinar Raknes (bass), and Jarle Vespestad (drums). Part of the Earshot Jazz lineup of winter concerts, the event took place in the Town Hall Forum. Gallery

Alex Dugdale What We Have On Tap

Photos from the 2022 Earshot Jazz Festival

2022.11.07 Hardly Raining The 34th annual Earshot Jazz Festival returned to Seattle from October 8–November 6, 2022. This autumn’s festival featured 37 jazz shows across a dozen Seattle venues. Headliners included Grammy-winning artist Dianne Schuur (vocals, piano), and NEA Jazz Master Charles Lloyd (saxophone) with his Ocean Trio. Resident artist Alex Dugdale (saxophone, tap dance) …

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Gary Smulyan and Paul Rauch, outside Tula's jazz club in Seattle (photo: Jim Levitt).

Grateful Dead Meetup at the Movies: Confessions of a Modern Jazz Journalist

2022.11.01 Paul Rauch, special to Hardly Raining The Grateful Dead have always defied convention, when it comes to the more commonly accepted protocols of American entertainment. Their refusal to be pop stars despite immense popularity is part of the allure, just a group of six guys playing music without any sort of show business glitz. …

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Earshot Jazz Festival digital banner 2022

2022 Earshot Jazz Festival Begins Tomorrow

2022-10-07 Hardly Raining The 2022 Earshot Jazz Festival kicks off tomorrow. The 34th annual event runs October 8–November 6 at venues throughout Seattle. Like last year, the festival will offer both in-person and virtual attendance options. Headlining is saxophonist Charles Lloyd’s Ocean Trio, which includes Anthony Wilson (guitar) and Harish Raghavan (bass). This year’s artist …

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Dmitri Matheny on flugelhorn

Dmitri Matheny _CASCADIA_ CD Release

2022-07-23 Hardly Raining The Dmitri Matheny group celebrated its CD release at the Royal Room on July 23, 2022. Matheny is a Centralia-based jazz flugelhornist and composer. The band included Jay Thomas (sax, trumpet, flugelhorn), Phil Sparks (bass), Bill Anschell (piano), and Mark Ivester (drums). CASCADIA is available on Origin Records. Matheny will be touring …

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Buster Williams plays upright bass at the Triple Door

Buster Williams at The Triple Door

2022-07-15 Hardly Raining Legendary jazz bassist Buster Williams and his Something More Quartet played two sets at The Triple Door on July 15, 2022. Personnel included Lenny White (drums), Bruce Williams (sax), and George Colligan (piano). After a show in Portland tonight, they continue to Half Moon Bay.

Charlie Porter plays trumpet at the Royal Room on June 27 (photo: Lisa Hagen Glynn).

Charlie Porter Quintet at the Royal Room

2022-06-27 Hardly Raining The Charlie Porter Quintet played the Royal Room on June 27, 2022. Porter is a GRAMMY-winning trumpeter and composer. Joining him were Nick Biello (sax), George Colligan (piano), Garrett Baxter (bass), and Alan Jones (drums). After completing a Pacific Northwest tour this week, the group will record Porter’s original album Cipher—so named …

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Christian McBride on bass.

Christian McBride at Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley

2022-06-14 Hardly Raining Bassist Christian McBride kicked off a two-night run at Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley on June 14, 2022. An eight-time Grammy®-winning musician, McBride is also a composer, broadcaster, educator, and festival artistic director. Although McBride just turned 50, his band showcased young jazz talent—most of the band was well under 30. Personnel included Nicole …

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