The Seattle Traveler

Next week you’ll have several opportunities to enjoy some good old New Orleans blues, rock and roll, and boogie-woogie that is the signature sound of Dr. John.
I’ve already written about what a great place Jazz Alley is to listen to a performances, and Dr. John’s style seems made for this particular venue.  Ten performances in all are scheduled.  Reservations are recommended.
Dr. John (real name Mac Rebennack) began his musical career in the 1950’s, first as a guitar player, and later playing the organ and piano.  A rather troubled home situation sent him packing, and he headed west to work as …read more

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Every President’s Day Weekend, the Sundiata African American Cultural Association (SAACA) presents the annual Festival Sundiata, this year with the theme “A Taste of Soul.”
With a commitment to showcase the best artists in the Pacific Northwest, the festival is supported by business and community partnerships that believe in the value of family, intergenerational activities, and opportunities.  SAACA provides venue to present the artistic talents of both established and developing artists.
The Association is named after Sundiata Keita, an ancient Malian warrior king, and for 26 years of bringing African/African-America cultural arts to the Seattle area, honoring the heritage, history, culture, and …read more

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When you’re in Seattle, you’ve got to make time to hear some great music. 
There are lots of venue options to choose from, but I’d strongly recommend fitting in an evening at the Triple Door.  It’s located beneath Wild Ginger restaurant, and across from Benaroya Hall, and offers a couple of options within the same building:  Mainstage and Musicquarium!
Mainstage:  This premium venue was once the Embassy Theatre.  It has now been restored and updated to seat 300-plus people in a modern, acoustically advanced performance room.  The room features classic touches in decor (the gold-framed, red-curtained stage), but solidly modern seating (tables …read more

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2006 is about to bid us all adieu, but before it slips away entirely, I wanted to share with you my list of favorites for this past year.  I’m not claiming these are the best of the best, just that this year they are my personal favorites.
Favorite special occasion restaurant:  El Gaucho, Belltown.
Favorite casual restaurant:  Dick’s Drive-In.
Favorite steakhouse:  El Gaucho, Belltown.
Favorite seafood restaurant:  The Oceanaire, downtown.
Favorite ethnic restaurant:  Indochine (Thai), Federal Way.
Favorite Hotel:  Hotel Monaco, downtown.
Favorite Museum:  Washington State History Museum in Tacoma.
Favorite thing to do in Seattle on a sunny day:  Wander around the Pike Place Market, or watch …read more

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The 18th annual ecumenical concert of sacred music by Duke Ellington, featuring the award-winning Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra will be presented Saturday, December 30th at the First Presbyterian Church of Bellevue.
Duke Ellington (1899-1974) was one of the great musicians to emerge out of America’s jazz scene, earning a reputation as a pianist, composer, and bandleader.  In 1965 he performed his first Concert of Sacred Music in an attempt to merge jazz with Christian liturgy.  Calling them the “most important thing I’ve done,” Ellington did two additional sacred music concerts in 1968 and 1973.
The SRJO performance features guest singers Dee Daniels and James Caddell, …read more

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Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley has long been Seattle’s premiere concert nightclub, focusing on diverse jazz performances that will appeal to afficianados as well as casual music fans.
Consistently rated “Best Jazz Club” by the various magazines, newspapers, and organizations that vote and award such things, Jazz Alley originally opened in 1979 in the University District.  At that location is staked out its reputation as an intimate bistro, popular with both college students and die-hard jazz fans.
In 1985, Jazz Alley relocated to its current home downtown, and although it is a much larger, state of the art facility, it still works to maintain the original …read more

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It’s not too late to get tickets to the 2006 Earshot Jazz Festival.
It started October 19th, but there are still some great performances to see before it wraps up on November 5th.  More than 200 artists will perform in the three weeks of concerts, along with educational programs and related events.  Venues are around the Greater Seattle/Tacoma area.
Earshot Jazz is a nonprofit arts organization formed in 1984 in service to the growing community of jazz artists and audiences in Seattle and the Pacific Northwest.  The organization publishes a monthly news magazine, provides educational programs and special projects in jazz, and …read more

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