EyeShotJazz | Jazz Photography

In another Earshot jazz Festival presentation, the superb quartet of Idaho saxophonist Brent Jensen and Seattle-based all-stars pianist Bill Anschell, bassist Jeff Johnson, and drummer John Bishop celebrated their latest Origin Records release, Motives on Saturday night at Tula’s. It was a superb performance all around of some wonderful music.

Already garnering stellar reviews, the disc is proof of “how many great jazz musicians there are throughout the United States,” according to Jazz Review. Jazz Chicago calls it a “true gem of a recording. This album entrances immediately from the start—beginning with Jensen’s tribute to free jazz pioneer and Ornette Coleman drummer Ed Blackwell…”

While the musicians are well-known to many in the Pacific Northwest and beyond, it is worth mentioning some of their credentials. Jensen currently serves Director of Jazz Studies at the College of Southern Idaho in Twin Falls and has performed with a variety of jazz artists, including Gene Harris, Bill Watrous, Lew Soloff, John Stowell, the Manhattan Transfer and the Lionel Hampton Big Band. Pianist Anschell performs regularly with many of Seattle’s finest musicians and has also worked with Nnenna Freelon, Ron Carter, Benny Golson and Russell Malone.

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The Kora Band in performance Thursday Sept 9th. They are pianist Andrew Oliver, Brady Millard-Kish, bass, Kane Mathis, kora and guitar, Chad McCullough, trumpet and Mark DiFlorio, drums and percussion.

On Thursday Sept 9th. The Kora Band celebrated the release of their newest album “Cascades” which covers a variety of West African pieces, modern repertoire from Congo and Cameroon, as well as originals by Mathis and Oliver with some subtle influences of jazz. Tula’s was crowded for the  first two sets and the music was a delightful mixture of African and Jazz sounds and rhythms. I look forward to hearing them again back at Tula’s as they play on the opening day of the Earshot Jazz Festival.

To learn more about the band go to the websites of the band:The Kora Band – www.koraband.com

and each of the musicians:

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Here are some more pictures from last night’s performance of the Thomas Marriott CD RELEASE: “East-West Trumpet Summit”.

Matt Jorgensen

Phil Sparks on bass

Vern Sielert

Bill Anschell

Matt Jorgensen

Thomas Marriott

Jovino Santos Neto at Tula’s performing in the Earshot Jazz Festival lineup on Monday night with his quintet. Lots of fun watching him play with Harvey Wainapel on saxophone and Chuck Deardorff on bass.

The master pianist, flutist, composer, and arranger, beloved for his musical playfulness and stunning technique, is one of the top Brazilian musicians working today. Now based in Seattle, Jovino Santos Neto has throughout his career been closely affiliated with Brazilian master Hermeto Pascoal, working as an integral part of Pascoal’s group from 1977-1992. Santos Neto relocated to the United States in 1993 and studied conducting at the Cornish College of the Arts, where he continues to teach piano, composition, and jazz ensemble. He is a three-time Latin Grammy Award nominee, for Best Latin Jazz Album in 2004, 2006, and 2009. The Jovino Santos Neto Quinteto here features guest saxophonist Harvey Wainapel. Wainapel concentrates equally on soprano, alto, and tenor saxophones. His heavy involvement with the music of Brazil (for which he also plays clarinet) is reflected in his acclaimed releases as a leader.

jovino-neto-2

Eldar Djangirov at Tula’s Monday night He and his Trio is appearing there again tomorrow Tuesday Oct 27th.

The Earshot Jazz Festival presented the dazzling pyrotechnics and musical maturity of the Kyrgyz post-bop piano prodigy Eldar Djangirov which have awed the jazz world. His trio with Armando Gola (bass) and Ludwig Afonso (drums) is touring in support of a new CD,Virtue.

After being discovered at the age of nine, Eldar and his family moved to the United States, and just two years later he was a featured performer on Marian McPartland’s radio program, Piano Jazz. Since then he has recorded six albums, signed with a major label, and earned a Grammy nomination for his 2007 album, Reimagination. Along the way he has worked with many of the biggest names in contemporary jazz, including John Patitucci, Michael Brecker, Roy Hargrove, and Chris Botti.

Now 22, Eldar continues to impress both audiences and critics with his mature playing and forward-looking compositions.

Harmen Fraanje on piano at Tulas Sunday night with Eric Vloeimans Fugimundi.

One of Europe’s most gifted trumpeters, the Dutchman performed Sunday night at Tula’s with his wonderful trio Fugimundi, featuring  Anton Goudsmit who was astounding on guitar and Harmen Fraanje on piano. They ranged from cutting-edge jazz to hymns all presented with virtuosity, warmth, and wit. What a really special treat, one of my favorite performances so far on the second night of the 2008 Earshot Jazz Festival.

Click here for the complete schedule for the rest of the upcoming shows at the 2008 Earshot Jazz Festival
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