Your Guide to This Week's Virtual Bellevue Jazz & Blues Festival
October 4, 2020 - by Kensey Wentworth
Your Guide to This Week's Virtual Bellevue Jazz & Blues Festival
The Bellevue Jazz & Blues Festival returns TOMORROW in an all-digital format! Watch over 60 top regional jazz and blues musicians perform in 20 shows this week. This year’s lineup includes an array of artists spanning the jazz, soul and blues genre. And the best part? The event is entirely free and open to all ages. You’ll be tapping your feet and moving to beats all week long. Here’s a look at the full week’s lineup:
Kicking off Monday night is jazz styling from the Bill Anschell Trio. Anschell, a talented pianist, also composed original pieces heard on The West Wing, The Wire, and NCIS: Los Angeles. Around 6:00pm, tune in for Stephanie Anne Johnson. Johnson is the front person for the Tacoma-based band The Hidogs, who wowed judges on NBC’s The Voice. Following her at 7:00pm is cool and inventive saxophonist Brent Jensen and his “Pure Desmond” Band. You've probably heard Jensen playing around the Northwest, or on his very popular CD on Seattle's Origin Records, The Sound of a Dry Martini: Remembering Paul Desmond. Wrapping up Monday night around 8:00pm is the current 3-time winner of the Best Blues Act in Washington, the Stacy Jones Band.
On Tuesday... Grunge blues from Cory Vincent, versatile compositions of the Kareem Kandi Trio, award-winning original blues from Polly O’Keary and The Rhythm Method, and emotive, engaging song stylist Eugenie Jones.
On Wednesday... Refreshing interpretation of jazz and blues standards from the Mercedes Nicole Trio, booty-shaking contemporary blues of the C.D. Woodbury Trio, straight-ahead jazz from KO Ensemble, and award-winning acoustic blues songsters Ben Hunter & Joe Seamons.
On Thursday... Raw, powerful vintage roots music from Chris Eger, masterful collaboration and partnership from Jacqueline Tabor & Marina Albero, gifted storytelling and dynamic blues guitar from the Brian Butler Blues Band, and American favorites featuring extraordinary jazz vocals from the LaVon Hardison Trio.
On Friday... Movement & vitality via the vibes and clarinet of Ben Thomas & Eric Likkel, all-star 4-piece band featuring sparkling original music from The High Note Group, appealing original music and tap dancing from the Alex Dugdale Quintet, and high energy blues-funk styling of Lady A.
NIGHTLY TAKEOUT PAIRINGS
Jazz up your dinner plans & cure your blues this week! Each night, we’ll feature takeout pairings from local Bellevue restaurants. Support our local musicians while dining local! Participating locations include 520 Bar and Grill, Andiamo Italiano, Bake’s Place, Castilla Restaurant, Central Bar + Restaurant, Fogo de Chao, Fogrose Atelier, John Howie Steak, Mercato Stelino, Paddy Coyne’s Irish Pub, and Seastar.
The 2020 Bellevue Jazz & Blues Music Series is supported by the City of Bellevue, Microsoft, 4Culture, venue partner Resonance Events alongside media partners 425 Magazine and KNKX radio.
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