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.

3 10 17 24 Legacy Band Plays On
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 Legacy Band (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. His experience includes a thirty-five-year tenure as the director of the award-winning Garfield High jazz program, leading the Seattle University jazz ensemble, and founding 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, 12, 17, 19 Kicking It at the Musicquarium
While the Triple Door seems to have lightened its Mainstage jazz schedule this month, the Musicquarium is simply hopping with some of the most forward-looking beats in town. Many in the traditional-jazz community may be unaware of the underground jazz-fusion scene that has been percolating in the city for several years now. These groups, often driven by recent Cornish and UW music school grads, are fast becoming the fuel behind the next wave of Seattle jazz. Though many have one foot solidly in the funk side of the house, they are also firmly planted in the jazz tradition. Most of the groups feature full horn sections, and if you listen closely, you might just hear some of the hottest jazz chops to come out of the scene for some time. Kicking off the month on September 6 is Vunt Foom, which mixes electronica with funk and jazz explorations. On September 12, Josh Rawlings and Jason Parker bring their Maceo Parker-influenced beats to fruition with their popular ensemble, Waterbabies. Then a band calling itself Infusionary hits the lounge on September 17. The group features the seriously-smoking jazz guitar of Brendan ODonnell, who shows musical prowess far beyond his years. This show is not to be missed. Finally, How Now Brown Cow, led by bassist Dave Kurtiak, performs on September 19. The band presents a unique brand of improv groove jazz that features strong funk influences while paying homage to Medeski, Martin, and Wood. The Triple Door is located at 216 Union St. Music begins at 9 pm and all shows are free.

7 Pony Boy Jazz Picnic
Although summer is coming to an end, there is one last chance to enjoy a sunny afternoon while listening to jazz in the park. The fifth annual Pony Boy Records Jazz Picnic is Sunday, September 7, noon until 5:00 pm, at Magnuson Park’s Garden Amphitheatre. The picnics began in September 2004 as a celebration of Pony Boy Records’ tenth anniversary. And in 2006, the popular event was honored with an Earshot Jazz Golden Ear Award for its contributions to the Seattle scene. As in past years, this year’s picnic showcases the excellent straight-ahead and swing jazz of the Pony Boy stable musicians, and more than 50 artists will take the stage to provide a jam-packed afternoon of engaging music. Among the bands scheduled to appear are the Emerald City Jazz Orchestra, Greg Williamson DBL Sax, Victor Noriega Trio + 2, Pete Petersen Porkpie, Vern Sielert Dektet, Jay Thomas Sextet, Karen Shivers, Al Keith Group, and Trombonasaurus Wrecks. Individual players on the bill include Jon Hamar, H.B. Radke, Hans Brehmer, Richard Cole, Tom Varner, Susan Pascal, Bill Anschell, Kevin Seeley, Thomas Marriott, Dave Marriott, Nathan Vetter, Vanessa Sielert, and many, many more. Fans of great jazz are encouraged to pack a picnic or enjoy food provided by onsite vendors. Admission is a suggested tip-jar donation of $10 and includes a discount on festival merchandise. Venue information can be found at www.seattle.gov/parks/magnuson. Enter the park at 74th & Sand Point Way Ne. For more information about the picnic visit www.ponyboyrecords.com/files/festival/jazz_picnic.html.

11 Salsa at SAM
This month’s installment of the Art of Jazz series, sponsored by Earshot and the Seattle Art Museum, features Orchestra Zarabanda with Elspeth Savani. Zarabanda presents big-band-salsa music inspired by Cuban orquestras and son groups as well as classic New York salsa. Their trademark sound features sensual melodies juxtaposed with driving, syncopated dance rhythms. Tonight singer and co-bandleader Elspeth Savani headlines the group. Originally trained as a classical vocalist, Savani describes her first encounters with Cuban music as an epiphany, after which she put aside her classical training to focus on congas, Cuban dance, Cuban son, and the Spanish language. She has performed with Zarabanda for the past decade, and in 2007 she received an Earshot Jazz Golden Ear nomination for "Best Emerging Artist." This after-work concert takes place in the Brotman Forum of the Seattle Art Museum, 1300 1st Ave. Music begins at 5:30 pm; admission to the concert is free with museum admission.

12, 15 Kobe Jazz Vocal Queen Comes to Seattle
For the past nine years Kobe, Japan, one of Seattle’s many sister cities, has sent the winner of their annual Jazz Vocal Queen Contest to appear in Seattle, and for the last four years Seattle has reciprocated the exchange by sending two vocalists to Japan. This week, the 2008 Kobe Jazz Vocal Queen, Chie Kobashi, makes her Seattle debut with two concerts. Tonight she sings alongside her Seattle counterpart, Karen Shivers, at Hiroshi’s and is backed by Bill Anschell on piano, Doug Miller on bass, and Greg Williamson on drums. On Monday night, she heads over to Jazz Alley for a solo engagement, where she will be joined by Randy Halberstadt on piano, Mark Ivester on drums, and Jeff Johnson on bass. Born in Amagasaki City, Hyogo in 1976, Kobashi grew up in Kobe. She started singing at the age of eight and began singing professionally in her early twenties. She has performed throughout Kobe, Osaka, and Tokyo, and in 2002 she received the World Scholarship Tour from Berklee College of Music. The show begins tonight at 7:30 pm at Hiroshi’s Restaurant (2501 Eastlake Ave E). There is no cover, but reservations are recommended. Monday night Kobashi takes the Jazz Alley stage (2033 6th Ave) at 7:30 pm, with doors opening at 6 pm. There is a suggested donation of $10 per adult and $5 for student and seniors to help support the Seattle Female Jazz Vocalist Audition program.

18 Headhunters Reincarnated
Apparently it’s jazz-funk-fusion month in Seattle, as evidenced by an onslaught of both international and local fusion bands gracing our stages throughout the month of September. Perhaps the leader of the pack is the infamous Headhunters. This consortium redefined modern funk and jazz as one of the most innovative groups in history and is specifically noted in jazz appreciation classes for its pioneering use of electronic instruments and effects. Although Herbie Hancock is long gone, the newest edition of the Headhunters franchise features a stunning array of notables, including New Orleans saxophonist Donald Harrison and the awe-inspiring Gerri Allen on keyboards. Their music is a complex blend of many styles and genres with a heavy beat to bop your head to. Music begins at 7:30 pm on the Triple Door Mainstage (216 Union St); $20/in advance, $25/day of show.

25-28 Maceo Parker at Jazz Alley
To finish off our unintentional month of jazz-funk improvisation, the icon of the genre kicks off four nights at Jazz Alley tonight. While James Brown is generally credited with redefining and re-energizing soul music in the 1960s, turning that revolutionary vision into a reality would not have been possible without the help of his creative collaborator, Maceo Parker. Like no other sax player before him, Parker stretches the potential of his instrument to unprecedented limits, exhibiting an uncanny ability to alternate the saxophone from a melodic instrument to a percussive one and then back again. Having collaborated with diverse artists ranging from Bootsy Collins to Ani Difranco, the man is a jazz ambassador and icon heralded throughout the world. Jazz Alley (2003 6th Ave, (206) 441-9729); 7:30 pm set time; $45. This is a pre-sale show only and requires ticket purchase at the time of reservation.