Jazz Walk keeps the music flowing at downtown venues
Discuss (0 comments) | Email | Print Elaine Walker | Anacortes American
August 28, 2008 - 07:00 AM

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Gail Pettis, a sultry and soulful vocalist who has been compared to Nancy Wilson, Sarah Vaughn and Carmen McRae, performs Friday at the Rockfish during the joint cover Jazz Walk. A $10 fee covers entry to seven venues Friday or Saturday, and $5 covers three venues Sunday. Photo by Dominic Bonuccelli.

Sultry jazz, gypsy jazz, Latin salsa and much more are on tap over the weekend at seven downtown venues during the joint cover Jazz Walk, the highlight of the week’s nightlife.

Cover is $10 Friday and Saturday and $5 Sunday.

On Friday, Adrift features Blake Angelos Trio, Bellissima Trattoria has Gadjo Gypsies, Brown Lantern presents Megatron, Majestic Inn has Oscar de la Rosa Trio, Rockfish Grill has Gail Pettis, Star Bar presents Jerry Jones Quartet and Watertown Pub features Dillinger’s Clambake.

On Saturday, Adrift has Dina Blade, Bellissima Trattoria presents Frankly Moanin’, Brown Lantern hosts Ryan Burns, Majestic Inn has Trish Hatley, Rockfish Grill offers Thomas Marriott Trio, Star Bar has Lee Pence and Watertown Pub presents Cambalache.

On Sunday, Brown Lantern presents Joe Doria Trio, Rockfish Grill has Fidalgo Swing and Watertown Pub offers Scotty Harris and Bassic Sax.

A highlight is Gail Pettis, a recent winner of Earshot’s Golden Ear award for Northwest vocalist of the year. Pettis is subtle and elegant, sultry and soulful. Her rich, warm vocals and understated phrasing have inspired comparisons to Nancy Wilson, Sarah Vaughn and Carmen McRae.

Also outstanding is Dina Blade is a jazz vocalist with a relaxed style and a unique ability to bring music to life. She has appeared nationally and internationally at clubs and festivals and on film, radio and television.

But every performer has much to offer.

Blake Angelos Trio specializes in jazz and popular music. Angelos has performed with notables such as Milt Hinton, Mike Allen, Rane Nogales and Larry Holloway.

Ryan Burns is a luminary in the Seattle scene whose subtle wit is expressed both verbally and on the keyboards. His touch can be heard in diverse projects, including Tom Marriott’s Willie Nelson Project and Matt Jorgenson +451, Earshot Jazz magazine’s best acoustic group of 2003.

Cambalache has challenged and redefined Northwest salsa, and their entertaining and fun performance delighted dancers at the community dance during last year’s Jazz Festival. A free salsa lesson precedes the show.

Dillinger’s Clambake is a new era swing band that mixes ballroom, jitterbug, rock and funk. Its eclectic American Dance Hall repertoire appeals to a wide range of listeners.

Anacortes-based Fidalgo Swing plays Gypsy jazz designed to get people on the dance floor. Led by guitarist Allen Lewis and featuring the versatile Phil Nakano on sax, flute, percussion and vocals, Fidalgo Swing’s lineup includes top talent in the area.

Frankly Moanin’ jazz quartet is Anacortes’ longest-performing jazz group. Led by pianist Warren Newton, the quartet features John Savage on guitar and the groovin’ rhythm section of Tim Eslick and Todd Anderson.

Gadjo Gypsies play Hot Club Gypsy-style jazz. Members Yusuf Kilgore, Josh Rust, Bryan Thurber and Jeff Gray create a sound that includes American swing, Gypsy and French musette songs.

Scotty Harris and Bassic Sax is a unique husband and wife bass, vocals and saxophone team. Their repertoire includes jazz standards, originals and their own take on popular artists such as Bob Marley.

Jerry Jones Quartet plays swing jazz hits of the 1920s, ‘30s and ‘40s.

Joe Doria Trio dazzles audiences with Doria’s ability to perform bass lines and the chordal structure of a song, while adding depth and dimension.

Thomas Marriott Trio is led by trumpeter Marriott, one of the most exciting musicians on the national jazz scene and a five-time Golden Ear winner.

Megatron, led by veteran trumpeter Paul Chandler and flanked by Julian MacDonough on drums and Delvon Dumas on Hammond B-3 organ, is a trio that is said to sound like a bar fight between Duke Ellington’s big band, Twisted Sister and Parliament Funkadelic.

Lee Pence Trio is a contemporary smooth jazz ensemble that performs throughout the Northwest. Pence follows the footsteps of guitar greats Howard Roberts, Pat Martino, Johnny A and Eric Johnson.

Oscar de la Rosa Trio starts with de La Rosa’s inspired Latin drumming.

Add the seven-string jazz guitar of Yusuf Kilgore and the melodic finesse of multi-instrumentalist Phil Nakano and the result is fresh and innovative.

Trish & Hans Trio have a special style and rapport. Their close-knit vocal harmonies, outstanding arrangements and a sense of fun breathe new life into the American Songbook, the Beatles and beyond.

Also this week:

• Department of Safety, 1011 12th St., presents Oregon Donor, Globes, Don’t Tell Sophie, Mission Orange, The Lonely Forest on Sept. 2. Call 293-8361.

• Anacortes Eagles presents live music 7:30 to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays: Charlie Brown, Aug. 29-30. Ray Peake plays 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays. Members and guests only. Call 293-3012.

• Rockfish Grill, 320 Commercial Ave., presents Fidalgo Swing, Aug. 27. Call 588-1720.

• Brown Lantern Ale House, 412 Commercial Ave., presents Open Jam Thursdays with Mike Rothmeyer 9 p.m. to midnight. No cover. Call 293-2544.

• Watertown Pub, 314 Commercial Ave., has Wednesday karaoke night with DJ Steve, 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Call 293-3587.

•Randy’s Pier 61 presents Mr. Entertainment, Jack Hamilton, at 6 p.m. Saturdays.

• Flounder Bay Café in Skyline presents jazz with La Rosa Trio from 5 to 8 p.m. Sundays.

• Swinomish Northern Lights Casino presents Jazz Lunches 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays. Call 293-2691.

• Adrift Restaurant, 510 Commercial Ave., presents Spoonshine first Tuesdays. All ages.

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