7-10 Ahmad Jamal Makes Magic
Last heard during the 2007 Earshot Jazz festival, legendary pianist Ahmad Jamal returns to Seattle for a four-night stint at Jazz Alley. The National Endowment for the Arts American Jazz Masters Fellowship recipient is touring in support of his first new album in three years, It’s Magic, which mixes standards and original compositions to pay tribute to the past, while continuing to develop new territory. At almost 78 years old, Jamal remains an influential figure in jazz and continues to perform around the world, write new compositions, and discover, produce, and nurture new talent. During this appearance he is joined by James Johnson III on drums, James Cammack on bass, and Manolo Badrena on percussion. Jazz Alley (2003 6th Avenue); set times Thursday through Saturday, 7:30pm & 9:30 pm, and Sunday at 7:30 pm ($30.50).

8 Dennis Rea in Triplicate 8 Dennis Rea in Tr
Guitarist Dennis Rea appears in triplicate in this sure-to-be-fascinating evening of music. One of the most talented instrumentalists in the region, Rea has long distinguished himself in varied settings, creating a dynamic, lyrical, enigmatic blend of modern jazz, boundary-pushing rock, experimental music, and world musical traditions. He has developed his powerful mix of composed and improvised music on three continents – including China, where he was among the first wave of American popular-music performers to enter the country after the devastating Cultural Revolution (there, he performed with emerging rock megastar Cui Jian). In Seattle, he has participated in some of the most impressive of homegrown musical outfits, including the late 1990s juggernaut quartet, Stackpole with whom he won the 2000 Earshot Jazz Golden Ear award for best Northwest “outside jazz.” (For more information about him, including his authorship of the highly impressive book, Forbidden City: Musical Encounters in China and Taiwan, see: myspace.com/dennisrea and www.dennisrea.com.) At tonight’s show, we can witness three of his current projects. Tempered Steel features Rea, Ffej, and Frank Junk playing improvised music on a variety of amplified, electronically processed thumb pianos. The group sounds like no other thumb piano ensemble, conjuring otherworldly percussion instruments, phantom harpsichords, and echoes of musique concrete. Then, Tanabata Ensemble performs, with Rea on acoustic guitar joined by Elizabeth Falconer (koto), John Falconer (shakuhachi), Jim DeJoie (bass flute, reeds), Greg Campbell (percussion), and Paul Kikuchi (percussion). The group will perform an open-ended arrangement of an ancient piece, "Eight Trigrams," in the Naxi ethnic tradition of southwest China. (A version of it will appear on Rea’’s forthcoming CD of East Asian-inspired music, Views from Chicheng Precipice.) The third group of the night features three of Seattle”s leading creative guitarists: Rea, Tom Baker, and Brian Heaney. They perform unclassifiable improvised music for electric guitars. Rea says that all three sets of 20-30 minutes have been planned bearing in mind the resonant acoustics of the Chapel Performance Space at the Good Shepherd Center (4649 Sunnyside Ave. N, Wallingford) where the Nonsequitur foundation will present the evening’’s music, starting at 7:30pm ($5-15 sliding-scale donation). Rea is also at The Mix (6004 12th Ave S, in Georgetown) on the 15th with his outstanding band, Moraine; the Rik Wright 5tet is also on the bill.

7-10 Ahmad Jamal Makes Magic
Last heard during the 2007 Earshot Jazz festival, legendary pianist Ahmad Jamal returns to Seattle for a four-night stint at Jazz Alley. The National Endowment for the Arts American Jazz Masters Fellowship recipient is touring in support of his first new album in three years, It’s Magic, which mixes standards and original compositions to pay tribute to the past, while continuing to develop new territory. At almost 78 years old, Jamal remains an influential figure in jazz and continues to perform around the world, write new compositions, and discover, produce, and nurture new talent. During this appearance he is joined by James Johnson III on drums, James Cammack on bass, and Manolo Badrena on percussion. Jazz Alley (2003 6th Avenue); set times Thursday through Saturday, 7:30pm & 9:30 pm, and Sunday at 7:30 pm ($30.50).

9, 12 Dave Anderson Back to Back
Composer and saxophonist Dave Anderson puts his chops on display as he headlines two nights of original jazz at Egan’s Ballard Jam House. Tonight Anderson’s piano-less Trio Real performs groove-oriented jazz with a raw, experimental, and funky sound. Then just 72 hours from now, on Tuesday night, Anderson returns to the traditional quartet format to perform post-bop and modern jazz. According to Anderson, “It’s a fun opportunity to be able to present two groups back-to-back that reflect different aspects of one’s musical personality and interests.” Tonight at 11pm with the Trio Real, Anderson plays alto and baritone saxophones and is joined by newcomer Devin Lowe on bass and Brad Boal on drums. Then August 12, with the Dave Anderson Quartet, Anderson plays the tenor and soprano saxophones backed by John Hansen on piano, Even Flory-Barnes on bass, and Adam Kessler on drums. Egan’s Ballard Jam House (1707 NE Market St); admission for both shows is $6.

7-10 Ahmad Jamal Makes Magic
Last heard during the 2007 Earshot Jazz festival, legendary pianist Ahmad Jamal returns to Seattle for a four-night stint at Jazz Alley. The National Endowment for the Arts American Jazz Masters Fellowship recipient is touring in support of his first new album in three years, It’s Magic, which mixes standards and original compositions to pay tribute to the past, while continuing to develop new territory. At almost 78 years old, Jamal remains an influential figure in jazz and continues to perform around the world, write new compositions, and discover, produce, and nurture new talent. During this appearance he is joined by James Johnson III on drums, James Cammack on bass, and Manolo Badrena on percussion. Jazz Alley (2003 6th Avenue); set times Thursday through Saturday, 7:30pm & 9:30 pm, and Sunday at 7:30 pm ($30.50).

9, 12 Dave Anderson Back to Back
Composer and saxophonist Dave Anderson puts his chops on display as he headlines two nights of original jazz at Egan’s Ballard Jam House. Tonight Anderson’s piano-less Trio Real performs groove-oriented jazz with a raw, experimental, and funky sound. Then just 72 hours from now, on Tuesday night, Anderson returns to the traditional quartet format to perform post-bop and modern jazz. According to Anderson, “It’s a fun opportunity to be able to present two groups back-to-back that reflect different aspects of one’s musical personality and interests.” Tonight at 11pm with the Trio Real, Anderson plays alto and baritone saxophones and is joined by newcomer Devin Lowe on bass and Brad Boal on drums. Then August 12, with the Dave Anderson Quartet, Anderson plays the tenor and soprano saxophones backed by John Hansen on piano, Even Flory-Barnes on bass, and Adam Kessler on drums. Egan’s Ballard Jam House (1707 NE Market St); admission for both shows is $6.

6, 13, 20, 27 Clarence Acox & Legends Quartet Play
Drummer Clarence Acox has stepped up to fill the very large shoes of Seattle legend Floyd Standifer by holding down the Wednesday night slot at the venerable New Orleans Restaurant in Pioneer Square. Acox leads the Legends Quartet (formerly the Floyd Standifer Quartet) featuring a handful of well-known area musicians. To inform any visiting tourists who may not already be aware, Acox is a locally infamous ambassador of the Seattle jazz scene with impeccable jazz credentials, ranging from his thirty-five year tenure as the director of the award-winning Garfield High jazz program and his leadership of the Seattle University jazz ensemble to his founding of the Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra. The Wednesday night tradition of straight-ahead jazz at the New Orleans (114 1st Ave S) lives on. Music begins at 8 pm and is free.

6, 13, 20, 27 Clarence Acox & Legends Quartet Play
Drummer Clarence Acox has stepped up to fill the very large shoes of Seattle legend Floyd Standifer by holding down the Wednesday night slot at the venerable New Orleans Restaurant in Pioneer Square. Acox leads the Legends Quartet (formerly the Floyd Standifer Quartet) featuring a handful of well-known area musicians. To inform any visiting tourists who may not already be aware, Acox is a locally infamous ambassador of the Seattle jazz scene with impeccable jazz credentials, ranging from his thirty-five year tenure as the director of the award-winning Garfield High jazz program and his leadership of the Seattle University jazz ensemble to his founding of the Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra. The Wednesday night tradition of straight-ahead jazz at the New Orleans (114 1st Ave S) lives on. Music begins at 8 pm and is free.

23 More Free Sounds Outside
An afternoon of sounds on the out side, outside, awaits you if you venture to Cal Anderson Park on Capitol Hill today when Sounds Outside, the annual free, outside showcase of out jazz, presents its second and final afternoon program of the summer. Cal Anderson Park is the pleasant spread of lawn and landscaping that tops the old reservoir just back of Seattle Central Community College. For this, its second year of offerings, Sounds Outside presents – FREE OF CHARGE – whole afternoons of enchanting sounds of a kind rarely presented in so public a space. On this day, the festivities begin at 1pm with Floss featuring Zachary Watkins. Then, at 2:30pm, Reptet; 4pm, Aram Shelton + Special O.P.S.; 5:30pm, Ahamefule J. Oluo and the New Seattle Brass Ensemble featuring Okanomodé; 7pm, The Wally Shoup Free Three. As it did in 2007, Monktail Creative Music Concern organized the events.

23 Jim Knodle & the Distract Band
For more than two years trumpeter Jim Knodle mentored a group of young musicians once a week at the District Lounge in the basement of the Hotel Decca in the University District. It was a very loose scene, where visitors were encouraged to talk, walk around, and have fun – pretty much anything but to treat the performance as a concert. Unfortunately, the District Lounge has new managers who have decided to eliminate their music schedule. Now the group, organized by Mike Dodge on the tenor sax, brings their shindig to the Ballard Jam House (1707 NE Market St). For one night only, the group will reproduce the mellow hang they kept at the lounge. Besides Knodle and Dodge, tonight”s performance includes a smattering of musicians spanning two, sometimes three generations. Don’t miss this chance to hear these fabulous players and listen carefully as Knodle strategically places his notes. This horn man clearly contemplates the story of a solo, instead of just riffing from one chorus to another. Music begins at 11 pm; cover $6.

6, 13, 20, 27 Clarence Acox & Legends Quartet Play
Drummer Clarence Acox has stepped up to fill the very large shoes of Seattle legend Floyd Standifer by holding down the Wednesday night slot at the venerable New Orleans Restaurant in Pioneer Square. Acox leads the Legends Quartet (formerly the Floyd Standifer Quartet) featuring a handful of well-known area musicians. To inform any visiting tourists who may not already be aware, Acox is a locally infamous ambassador of the Seattle jazz scene with impeccable jazz credentials, ranging from his thirty-five year tenure as the director of the award-winning Garfield High jazz program and his leadership of the Seattle University jazz ensemble to his founding of the Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra. The Wednesday night tradition of straight-ahead jazz at the New Orleans (114 1st Ave S) lives on. Music begins at 8 pm and is free.

29-30 Jennifer Scott
Once again, Vancouver songstress Jennifer Scott graces Bake”s Place with her vibrant voice and solid piano playing. According to Katie Malik of CBC Jazzbeat, “This voice immediately arrested my hearing and said, ‘Wake up, listen up, sit down, and listen to this lady ‘till she’s finished singing.’ A very pure, a very flexible voice – a voice made to sing jazz.” Scott’s latest releases as a solo artist are Emotional Girl with her Quintet, Mile 41 with her quartet, and Live at The Cellar, recently released on the Vancouver Cellar Live label and currently receiving international airplay. During her Bake”s Place engagement Scott is joined by San Francisco Bay area saxophonist Kristen Strom who is known for her melodic and engaging style. Together they lead Crossing Borders, a new international jazz group that features guitarist Scott Sorkin, bassist Rene Worst, and drummer Mark Ivester. This performance is part of the Visiting Songbird Series at Bake”s Place (4135 Providence Point Dr. SE, Issaquah). Music begins at 7:45 pm, with a three-course dinner at 6:00 pm. Price for dinner and show is $59.50. For more information visit www.bakeskplace.org or call 425-391-3335.

29-30 Jennifer Scott
Once again, Vancouver songstress Jennifer Scott graces Bake”s Place with her vibrant voice and solid piano playing. According to Katie Malik of CBC Jazzbeat, “This voice immediately arrested my hearing and said, ‘Wake up, listen up, sit down, and listen to this lady ‘till she’s finished singing.’ A very pure, a very flexible voice – a voice made to sing jazz.” Scott’s latest releases as a solo artist are Emotional Girl with her Quintet, Mile 41 with her quartet, and Live at The Cellar, recently released on the Vancouver Cellar Live label and currently receiving international airplay. During her Bake”s Place engagement Scott is joined by San Francisco Bay area saxophonist Kristen Strom who is known for her melodic and engaging style. Together they lead Crossing Borders, a new international jazz group that features guitarist Scott Sorkin, bassist Rene Worst, and drummer Mark Ivester. This performance is part of the Visiting Songbird Series at Bake”s Place (4135 Providence Point Dr. SE, Issaquah). Music begins at 7:45 pm, with a three-course dinner at 6:00 pm. Price for dinner and show is $59.50. For more information visit www.bakeskplace.org or call 425-391-3335.

30 Bumbershoot!
Bumbershoot is back and while jazz is not a major feature of this annual Labor Day weekend music-and-arts celebration, there are a few highlights to take note of this year. Paul Rucker: Sketch, Scribble, Doodle, Sound 11:00 am -8:00 pm, Grounds Award-winning composer, musician, and visual artist Paul Rucker presents a concert of spontaneous compositions on cello that are based on drawings made by audience members in the public space. Rucker performs on Sunday and Monday, 11:00 am – 8:00 pm as well. Das Vibenbass 1:15 pm, Wells Fargo Stage This quartet challenges the boundaries of jazz, blending classic jazz sounds of the tenor saxophone and upright bass with contemporary groove tools like the vibraphone and rock drums. The result is a collection of fresh sounds ranging from atmospheric and moody to downright funky. Vibenbass was nominated for Best Jazz/Experimental act in Seattle Weekly’s Best of 2006. With Josh Clifford on Tenor Saxophone, Justin Sorensen on Vibes, Geoff Larson on Double Bass, and JC Bockman on drums.

31 Bumbershoot!
Bumbershoot is back and while jazz is not a major feature of this annual Labor Day weekend music-and-arts celebration, there are a few highlights to take note of this year. Paul Rucker: Sketch, Scribble, Doodle, Sound 11:00 am -8:00 pm, Grounds Award-winning composer, musician, and visual artist Paul Rucker presents a concert of spontaneous compositions on cello that are based on drawings made by audience members in the public space. Rucker performs on Sunday and Monday, 11:00 am – 8:00 pm as well. Jazz Northwest: WSU Faculty Ensemble 1:00 pm, Wells Fargo Stage Six of Washington State University’s finest jazz artists from the School of Music perform original compositions and well-known jazz standards. Matt Jorgensen +451 2:30 pm, Wells Fargo Stage Led by drummer Matt Jorgensen, 451 has five critically acclaimed albums to its name. Known for their moody and introspective style, 451’s modern arrangements remain immersed in the jazz tradition while mixing things up with a good dose of rock and funk. With Taylor and Rob Davis on saxophones, Ryan Burns on Fender Rhodes, and Phil Sparks on bass. Hadley Caliman Quintet w/ Thomas Marriott 4:00 pm, Wells Fargo Stage A local legend, tenor saxophonist Hadley Caliman is part of the living history of jazz. He has performed, recorded, and toured with Freddie Hubbard, Gerald Wilson, Carlos Santana, Dexter Gordon, and The Grateful Dead. A presence on the Seattle since the early 1980s, at 76 Caliman continues to tour, teach, and perform throughout the world. Tiptons Sax Quartet 5:30 pm, Wells Fargo Stage A fan favorite, the all-woman saxophone quartet, plus drums is not bound by convention. Their repertoire ranges from New Orleans second-line to jazz, Afro-Cuban, Balkan, klezmer and beyond. With Amy Denio, Jessica Lurie, Sue Orfield, and Tina Richerson. Pacifika 7:15, Wells Fargo Stage This Vancouver-based trio blends jazz, global, soft electronic, and Latin music to create smooth vocals and soothing global music. With vocalist Silvana Kane, guitarist Adam Popowitz, and bassist Toby Peter.