Discovery-Washington, USA
As we continue our Discovery series-this week we will take a trip to the great Northwest of the United States to the state of Washington. Seattle, the state’s largest city, is a city known for the music it has produced as well as being the home office for one of the world’s most recognized coffee brands. Washington is also home to some great jazz musicians and some of the greatest public schools that produce these musicians. Some of the names listed below you may already know, but I hope to focus on some that you may not.
As with our past locations, the goal is to introduce you to 3 new musicians each week from different parts of the world. My hope is you will find some new discoveries, support them by buying their albums and by attending their concerts if you are in their area (or they in yours). Another benefit is for you to hear new musicians and how they approach their instrument and jazz. You never know where you might find your next favorite line!
I mentioned above that Washington (specifically Seattle) is home to some of the best public school systems in the country for jazz musicians. Since the Essentially Ellington competitions started in 1995, two of Seattle’s public high schools have won the competition the majority of the time (Garfield and Roosevelt High School)! Many of their graduates continue on to some of the premier jazz institutes around the world. I had the chance to hear one of these bands play at the 2001 North Sea Jazz Festival when I was there and was blown away by their musicianship.
Like mentioned last week with Colorado; Washington has been the home to a number of jazz musicians known and unknown. Hopefully the musicians below are people you will start checking out (if you have not already).
Cuong Vu– trumpet
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2I350AOZG4&w=560&h=315]
Andy Clausen– trombone
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcXXaAHV4js&w=560&h=315]
Chris Icasiano– drums
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtxtY7Fn4EA&w=560&h=315]
These are just a few of literally hundreds of great jazz musicians you can find in and/or from Washington. If you have checked out these musicians above, be sure to check out their websites and albums to support them. I would also highly encourage you to look up other great musicians from Washington and see what this great state has to offer in terms of Jazz.
