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Jazz Innovations, Part I

Wednesday, February 23, 2022 - 7:30pm
  • Jazz student pianist (Photo: Steve Korn).

Student jazz ensembles coached by Marc Seales and Steve Rodby pay homage to the icons of jazz and break new ground with original progressive jazz compositions.

Masks are required in all indoor spaces on the UW campus. Capacity in Brechemin Auditorium is limited to 100. Patrons must show proof of vaccination or recent negative provider-administered COVID-19 PCR test for entry to live events at the Music Building. Individuals unable to be fully vaccinated, including children under age five and people with a medical or religious exemption, must have proof of a negative provider-administered COVID-19 PCR test (taken within 72 hours of the performance). UW staff will check for proof of vaccination and negative COVID PCR tests at the doors as a condition of entry. Proof of negative test result must come from a test provider, a laboratory or a health care provider. Home or self-administered tests will not be accepted. Details of these protocols available here.


PROGRAM

Marc Seales Group
Marc Seales, Advisor

Happier Than Ever................................... Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell (2021) (arr. Natalie Song)

Am Me............................................................................................................................. Beau Wood

Everything in its Right Place................................................................................. Radiohead (2000)

I (Almost Like Monk)........................................................................................................ Jai Laseker

Galin Hebert, drums; Jai Laseker, guitar; Natalie Song, piano; Beau Wood, bass


 BLUES IN GREENS

Steve Rodby - advisor

 Birdlike (1961)........................................................................................................ Freddie Hubbard

 Vartha (2014)................................................................................................... Ambrose Akinmusire

 Recorda-Me (1963).................................................................................................... Joe Henderson

 Blue In Green (1959).......................................................................................................... Bill Evans

 Hard Eights (1992)............................................................................................................. Lyle Mays 

Elliot Halpern, Tenor; Trevor Eulau, Guitar; Noah Brown, Piano; Tony Lafaive, Bass; Matt Camgros, Drums


Director Bios

Marc Seales

A noted pianist, composer and leading figure in the Northwest jazz scene, Marc Seales has shared stages with many of the great players of the last two decades. He has played with nearly every visiting jazz celebrity from Joe Henderson and Art Pepper to Benny Carter, Mark Murphy, and Bobby Hutcherson. With the late Don Lanphere he performed in such places as London, England; Kobe, Japan; The Hague in the Netherlands; and the North Sea Jazz Festival.

The musicians he admires most are Herbie Hancock, Charlie Parker, John Lewis, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, and Wynton Kelly, though he is quick to acknowledge that he owes the basically be-bop/post be-bop sound of his playing to his mentors, Don Lanphere and Floyd Standifer.

Critics have praised Seales variously for his "meaty piano solos," and "blues inflected, Hancock-inspired modernism." Winner of numerous Earshot awards (Instrumentalist of the Year in 1999 and Acoustic Jazz Group in 2000 and 2001; Jazz Hall of Fame, 2009), Seales is today promoting jazz awareness and molding young talents as a Professor of Music at the University of Washington, where he is a professor in the Jazz Studies Program. He teaches an array of courses, including History of Jazz, Jazz Piano, and Beginning and Advanced Improvisation, as well as leading various workshops and ensembles.

Steve Rodby
Acoustic and electric bassist, audio and video editor and producer Steve Rodby was born in Joliet, Illinois. He began studying classical orchestral bass at age 10, and quickly developed parallel interests in pop and jazz. A graduate of Northwestern University with a degree in classical bass performance, Steve spent many years as a multi-style studio musician on both acoustic and electric bass in Chicago recording studios, while also playing with the leading contemporary classical chamber music group in the city, the University of Chicago's CCP. Playing regularly at the Jazz Showcase also gave him the opportunity to play with numerous jazz masters. In 1981, Steve joined the Pat Metheny Group, and would play with the PMG for 3 decades. Steve also started, in the early 80s, producing records for the PMG and many others, as well as working as a video editor for both PBS music specials and other music DVDs. In all, Steve has won 15 Grammy awards. Recently, Steve has been touring and recording with the international group The Impossible Gentlemen.
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