OK, everyone. I’m feeling jolly and I have this crazy thought. I’d like to cordially invite you to have a great week. We can all do it together – a group project! We might not be able to solve all of our individual problems just now but we sure as tootin’ can rock the next ... Read More

A few days ago, my friend Jason Parker, trumpeter, bandleader, educator and KPLU blogger, wrote a post entitled “Why Jazz Fans Shouldn’t Be So Quick to Dismiss Pop Music.”  Jason is a member of a Facebook group “Jam of the Week” and wrote his post in response to negative comments that some “jazz snobs” had ... Read More

  The first time I heard Jimmie sing was at the Royal Room, where he was doing a duo performance with Seattle pianist Tim Kennedy. His sweet and breathy tone, his patient, intuitive phrasing and his overall lovely presence immediately mesmerized me. I was also captivated by the wide-open honesty of his original compositions. Jimmie ... Read More

    For this installment of “Passion, Fear and Drive,” I’m super happy to feature Claudio Rochat-Felix. Claudio is a Seattle-based drummer and one third of the rising electro/pop dance band Richie Aldente. A few days ago, Claudio and I sat down for coffee and conversation at a Capitol Hill cafe. Claudio is smart, driven ... Read More