2008 Bellevue Jazz Festival Schedule

Friday, May 23rd

4:30pm - Hyatt Regency Bellevue Wintergarden - 900 Bellevue Way NE, All Ages
Randy Halberstadt Trio – Jazz Pianist
Randy Halberstadt (Pianist), Jeff Johnson (Bass), Steve Korn (Drums)
A pianist, arranger, composer, and recent author, Randy performs throughout the Pacific Northwest and beyond. He has performed and/or recorded with Mimi Fox, Ray Drummond, Jay Clayton, Terry Gibbs, Buddy DeFranco, Herb Ellis, Mel Brown, Sheila Jordan, Bobby Shew, Marlena Shaw, Jiggs Wigham and John Stowell. In 2001, Randy authored an instructional text, Metaphors For The Musician: Perspectives From A Jazz Pianist. His composition “When Springtime Turns To Fall” appears in The All-Jazz Real Book (both books published by Sher Music Co. in 2002).

4:30pm - Lucky Strike Lanes - 700 Bellevue Way NE, 2nd Floor, 21+
Janette West Group –Jazz Quartet
Janette West (Vocals), Marty Tuttle (Drums), Eric Verline (Pianist), Chuck Kistler (Bass)
Janette attended Central Washignton University on a music scholarship where she studied voice. After moving to Seattle, she continued her studies with the renowned vocal teacher George Peckham Throughout the 70’s Janette performed in many of Seattle’s premiere nightclubs where disco music was the “happening” of the day. In 1969 she opened for the late Jimi Hendrix and early 70’s for Tina turner. She was also contracted to record several advertising “jingles” that were played nationally. In the 80’s she moved to California and began studying and singing more jazz. She was the steady vocalist in a club in Los Angeles for 2 years and worked all over central California for 4 years. After moving back to Seattle, she began singing again in various venues including, “The Columbia Tower Club”, “The Washington Athletic Club”, “Ste. Michelle Winery”, “The Spirit of Seattle Cruise”, “The Seattle Reparatory Theater”, and a host of night clubs, and restaurants as well as corporate and private events all over the state.

5:00pm - Cypress Lounge at The Westin Bellevue – 600 Bellevue Way NE, 21+
Dave Peterson Trio – Jazz Guitarist
Dave Peterson (Guitar), Doug Miller (Bass), John Bishop (Drums)
Dave Peterson attended Western Washington University where he directed the lab band and graduated with a degree in Music Composition in 1977. Dave has been teaching at Cornish College of the Arts since 1977 and is a core Jazz Faculty Member. Over the years, Dave has performed with Art Lande, Paul McCandless, Dave Liebman, Bob Moses, Dave Friesen, Paul Motion, Benny Wallace, Gary Peacock, Chuck Israels, Chet Baker, Bud Shank, Esther Phillips, Eddie Harris, Buddy DeFranco, Big Joe Turner, Eddie Vinson, Julian Priester, Ethel Ennis, Don Lanphere and the John Clayton/Jeff Hamilton Big Band. As part of the Seattle Composers and Improvisers Orchestra, Dave has performed with: Dave Holland, Gil Evans, Carla Bley, Anthony Braxton, Karl Berger, Bob Brookmeyer and Sam Rivers. Dave has performed on many CDs with various artists including a solo release: "After Image", on the Nebula label.

6:00pm – Vertigo Lounge & Grill – 989 112th Ave NE, 2nd Floor, 21+
Darren Motamedy – Jazz Saxophonist
Ted Hasiuk from Cafe' Jazz in Canada says "the somewhat prophetically entitled "Dont' Cha Know" seems poised to take it to the next level. Contemporary urbanville fuelled in no small part by Motamedy's fluency in rhythm and funk while sharing many of the credits is John Raymond, another staple on the Seattle scene who has toured and recorded with Kenny G. In particular, you'll want to check the album's namesake, the title track-great playing, a potent melody, and a killer groove- that's "Don't Cha Know" from Darren Motamedy! Performances with The Rippingtons, David Lanz, Greg Adams from Tower of Power, opening for Chris Botti, Ray Charles, Grover, Keiko Matsui, Boney James, Michael Lington, Tower of Power, Larry Carlton...Motamedy has done it all.

10:00pm - Twisted Cork Wine Bar – 900 Bellevue Way NE, 21+ (after 11pm)
Origin Records Jam Session – Interactive Jazz
Bill Anschell (Piano), Jeff Johnson (Bass), John Bishop (Drums)
An all-star collection of musicians from Origin Records will provide a perfect jazz backdrop for a late-night of interactive jazz. Jazz sessions are an old Jazz tradition, allowing emerging artists to test their skills in front of an audience. Always wanted to test your vocals with the premier rhythm section in town? Now’s your chance… grab the mike and be a part of the Bellevue Jazz Festival!

Saturday, May 24th

10:45am - Bellevue Art Museum – 510 Bellevue Way NE, All Ages
Langley Middle School - Jazz Band
The Langley Middle School Jazz Band consists of 5th through 8th graders who rehearse mornings before regular school hours. The band has a history of excellence reaching back over two decades. Alumni of the band have attended some of the most illustrious schools in the country and performed in a variety of venues, not the least being Jazz Alley in Seattle.

12:00pm - Lincoln Square – 700 Bellevue Way, 2nd Floor, All Ages
Murl Allen Sanders – Jazz Pianist with Bass
Murl Allen Sanders (Piano), Clipper Anderson (Bass)
MURL ALLEN SANDERS is a free-lance musician and recording artist who has been active in the Seattle area music scene and across the United States for over twenty-five years. The Seattle Times calls him “One of the Northwest's top jazz musicians.” He performs and records regularly with his own bands, as a soloist, and with numerous bands in the Northwest. Murl plays piano, accordion, B-3, electronic keyboards, harmonica, sings, teaches and composes music. Murl has worked with such diverse artists as Chuck Berry, Etta James, The Von Trapp Children, Theodore Bikel, Leslie Gore, Barbara Lamb and Peter Duchin.

12:00pm - Bellevue Art Museum – 510 Bellevue Way NE, All Ages
Mt. Si High School - Jazz Band
The Mt. Si High School Jazz Band performed at the Central Washington University Jazz Invitational and came away with Superior ratings and 4 Oustanding Musician Awards - Kelcey Simpson - Alto sax, Daisy Frearson-Tenor sax, Drake Daponte-trombone, and John Hindmarch- Drums. Three band students also won outstanding soloist awards sitting in with the Jazz Choir - John Hindmarch-drums, Becki Straka-vocalist, and Ryan Donnelly-Bass.

1:15pm – Bellevue Art Museum – 510 Bellevue Way NE, All Ages
Newport High School - Jazz Band
The Newport High School Jazz Band has six consecutive wins at the AAA Level at the prestigious Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival and also received the Adjudicator's Special Commendation. They have also been recorded on the KPLU "School of Jazz" CD with Performance at Benaroya Hall, a repeat finalist at the Essentially Ellington Jazz Competition at Lincoln Center in New York, and performed live at the Paramount Theater for the Starbucks "Hot Java, Cool Jazz" Series.

1:30pm - Lincoln Square – 700 Bellevue Way NE, 2nd Floor, All Ages
Karin Kajita - Jazz Pianist with Bass
Karin Kajita (Piano), Rachael Contorer (Bass)
Karin is an accomplished jazz and classical pianist and studied the piano formally for sixteen years. Her teachers through high school included Corrine Berg, Willard Schultz and Professor Neal O'Doan of the University of Washington. Karin continued her studies with Professor O'Doan at the UW and earned degrees in music and piano performance. She returned to earn her music education certificate. Karin was awarded two Milnor Roberts scholarships and two Bainbridge Music and Art Foundation scholarships. She is the recipient of a 2006 Artist Spport Grant from Jack Straw Productions. Karin is the leader of the Karin Kajita Jazz Quintet and performs at local festivals including Bumbershoot and the Evergreen State Fair. She used the grant to produce her quintet's third CD, "Letting Go" which is now available for sale.

2:30pm - The Parlor – 700 Bellevue Way NE, 3rd Floor, 21+
Mycle Wastman – Jazz Pop Hits
Influenced by an era of seasoned vocalists Mycle Wastman has developed the vocal capability and styling comparative to soul/pop greats Stevie Wonder and Prince. Mycle conducts his music in a timeless fashion with creative melodies and distinct storytelling lyrics while keeping a commercial appeal by sustaining a pop sensibility. Mycle embodies a distinct soulful sound that aspires to the timeless soul classics rejuvenating music and its listeners to a new standard. Hailing as a Seattle native, Mycle started his vocal training by performing with the Seattle Boy’s Choir at the ripe age of five. As he entered his teenage years Mycle began his quest as a guitar player and songwriter. This quest has escalated to an extensive catalog containing over eighty songs and a production deal to record his highly anticipated debut solo album, The Beautiful Stay, released in March of 2008.

3:00pm - Lincoln Square – 700 Bellevue Way NE, 2nd Floor, All Ages
Overton Berry & bass - Jazz Pianist with Bass
Overton Berry (Piano), Jeff Davies (Bass)
Overton Berry began his musical career over fifty years ago at the age of 16 when he played USO shows at military bases on the west coast with the first Overton Berry Trio. Since those early beginnings the music has never stopped. He is described in the Pacific Northwest as “a living legend”, and his wealth of experience and generations of fans bear witness to this affectionate accolade. His credits include Music Director for the Peggy Lee Concert at the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair; Music Director for the House of Entertainment during the Seattle World’s Fair; Music Director for the Canadian tour La Hora de Jazz Concerts; Music Director of the Gene Stridel Show, Hollywood Overseas Committee - Viet Nam; and Music Director of the Overton Berry Trio and the TOBE School of Music. He has played extensively in venues around the world including Sans Souci in Tokyo, the Marriott in Cairo, the Peninsula Hotel in Bangkok, the China Hotel in Guangzhou, China and the Sheraton Hotel in Hong Kong.

4:30pm - Lincoln Square - 700 Bellevue Way NE, 2nd Floor, All Ages
Victor Janusz - Jazz Pianist with Bass
Victor Janusz (Piano), Troy Kendrick (Bass)
VICTOR JANUSZ, one of Seattle's busiest, in-demand pianomen, Vic performs
"Weekend Piano Brunch" at Saltys On Alki every Saturday and Sunday (going on
four years), and plays weekly at Nordstrom. The VJ Trio has headlined six New Years Eve Parties at Canlis since 2000. The CDs "Hands Solo" and "Cosmo Street" (featuring the Singer/Pianist with his entire band) are available at www.victorjanusz.com His new Cabaret show "PINKABOO!" with Wade Madsen opens at ACT Theatre on June 20.

5:00pm – Vertigo Lounge & Grill – 989 112th Ave NE, 2nd Floor, 21+
Gail Pettis – Jazz Vocalist
Gail Pettis (Vocals), Clipper Anderson (Bass), Ed Weber (Pianist)
Three-time nominee and recent winner of Earshot Golden Ear Awards "Northwest Vocalist of the Year," and recent First Place winner of the Seattle-Kobe Female Jazz Vocalist Audition, Gail is a welcome addition to the Pacific Northwest jazz scene. Gail's style is at once subtle and elegant, sultry and soulful. Her rich, warm vocals and understated phrasing have inspired comparisons to Nancy Wilson, Sarah Vaughn and Carmen McRae. Gail inherited a passion for jazz from her family while growing up in Gary, Indiana. Over the years, her desire for creative expression fueled an exploration of instrumental performance and dance, exposing her to many other styles of music, however vocal jazz remains her first love. Now residing in Seattle, she continues to draw inspiration from these diverse influences and enjoys sharing her unique talent with listeners at home and abroad. Most recently, she was artist-in-residence at the Amersfoort Jazz Festival in the Netherlands, performing with the New Manhattan Big Band and with Eddie C. and the Dutch Jazz Cats on the mainstage and other venues in Amersfoort and Harderwijk.

5:00pm - Cypress Lounge at The Westin Bellevue – 600 Bellevue Way NE, 21+
Jose Gonzales Trio – Jazz Guitarist
Jose Gonzales (Guitar), Mark Bullis (Bass), Lionel Kramer (Drums)
A graduate of Cornish College of the Arts, Jose Gonzales brings his elegant, sensual vocals and emotional piano playing to the Bellevue Jazz Festival. His musical repertoire includes thrilling interpretations of jazz standards and pop hits that have built him a loyal audience. The Jose Gonzales Trio plays regularly around the Puget Sound featuring Mark Bullis on bass and Lionel Kramer on drums. In addition to his musical talents, Jose is a professional actor, having performed nationally and locally in productions at the Court Theatre in Chicago, The Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, Seattle Repertory Theatre, ACT, Intiman, and the Empty Space. This summer, he can be seen in "Streetcar Named Desire" at Intiman, wearing three hats; actor, composer and on-stage pianist. Musical influences include Monk, Bill Evans, Jessica Williams, Amhad Jamal, Kurt Elling, and Nancy King.

6pm - Hyatt Regency Bellevue Wintergarden – 900 Bellevue Way NE, All Ages
Seattle Repertory Jazz Quartet – Presenting the great works of Big Band Jazz
Michael Brockman (Saxophone), Clarence Acox (Drums), Phil Sparks (Bass), Bill Anschell (Piano)
The Seattle Repertory Jazz Quartet is a group of four players drawn from the Seattle area's award-winning big band, the Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra.  Included in the quartet are SRJO artistic co-directors Clarence Acox (drums) and Michael Brockman (saxophone). The SRJO has been named NW Best Acoustic Jazz group, and has received awards for "Best Jazz Concerts" and "Best Recordings" by the Seattle Times, AudiophileAudition.com, and Public Radio International's Jazz After Hours. In 2007, Acox was given the Seattle Mayor's Award for the Arts, and Brockman was awarded Kirkland's Champion of the Arts. Brockman is a long-time faculty member at the UW School of Music, and Acox is director of bands for the national award-winning Garfield High School.

7:00pm – Vertigo Lounge & Grill – 989 112th Ave NE, 2nd Floor, 21+
Greta Matassa – Jazz Vocalist
Greta Matassa (Vocals), Clipper Anderson (Bass), Ed Weber (Pianist)
Four times voted the northwest’s “best jazz vocalist” by Earshot Jazz, Greta Matassa is one of the most talented singers working in jazz today. In demand for concert and nightclub appearances, her one-woman show, “Ella and Billie,” a musical tribute, won her critical acclaim. Her collaborations and guest appearances with Spectrum Dance Theater, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Teatro ZinZanni, the Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra and the Seattle Men’s Chorus have been innovative and successful. Compared with the greats, Ella Fitzgerald, Anita O’Day, and Nancy Wilson, Matassa has become one of the hottest tickets on the northwest jazz scene. Greta has released four CD’s and a DVD live concert. She receives regular national airplay. More information and reviews can be found on her web site, www.gretamatassa.com.

10:00pm - Rock Bottom Brewery – 550 106th Ave NE, 21+
Origin Records Jam Session – Interactive Jazz
Bill Anschell (Piano), Jeff Johnson (Bass), John Bishop (Drums)
An all-star collection of musicians from Origin Records will provide a perfect jazz backdrop for a late-night of interactive jazz. Jazz sessions are an old Jazz tradition, allowing emerging artists to test their skills in front of an audience. Always wanted to test your vocals with the premier rhythm section in town? Now’s your chance… grab the mike and be a part of the Bellevue Jazz Festival!

10:00pm - Twisted Cork Wine Bar – 900 Bellevue Way NE, 21+ (after 11pm)
R. Curtis & Soul Stay Shun – Soul Fusion Band
Seattle's hottest new soul band. Enjoy the sounds of R. Curtis & Soul Stay Shun – they will showcase their funked out renditions of yesterday's music, and jazzy renditions of today's hits.