2nd annual Harmony Jazz & Wine Festival

For the second year, we'll be welcoming some of Washington & Oregon's top jazz musicians to the Harmony Jazz & Wine Festival! Two favorites from last year are returning -- Shelly Rudolph, and Michael Powers (a third -- RaChiChi Pop Jazz Trio -- performs at our Jazzy Dinner Show, Aug. 22).

We've added some new acts as well -- Karen Shivers, Quadraphonnes, Island Jazz Quintet, Kamal Abdul-Alim, and Jonathan Kingham.

Please check out their websites below to learn more about them, hear song samples, watch videos, and buy their CDs to get a taste of what you'll be hearing live.

Harmony Jazz & Wine Festival: Friday, September 11

Seattle based jazz vocalist Karen Shivers, is considered a ‘Natural’; she has a wide-vocal range that is powerful, warm and rich.She is a singer steeped in the ‘classic’ vocal style of Sarah Vaughn and Carmen McRae.

In 2008, Karen won the Seattle/Kobe Japan Sister City Female Jazz Vocalist Competition. Karen’s sophisticated approach to songs includes a mixture of attitude, verve and soul. The ever-increasing recognition of Karen’s talent has created opportunities for her to open for such world renowned jazz vocalists as: Ms Dianne Reeves, and Ms Ernestine Anderson.

Born in St. Louis, MO, Karen is the daughter of a Tuskegee Airman and an elementary school teacher. Karen was the first African American woman elected to office in Kitsap County, WA, and served as a Central Kitsap School Board member in Silverdale, WA. She attended UPS Law School, but left it to be a Caregiver when her mother became terminally ill. After her mother’s death, she decided to pursue what she had always loved to do, singing jazz. Karen developed her singing style while working along side jazz pianist Bob Nixon, former pianist for Pulitzer-winner Charles Mingus and Ernestine Anderson.

Karen’s sophomore CD, “Precious Love” (12/05, Ponyboy Records), was listed as one of the best new Jazz CD releases for 2005, by KPLU 88.5, Jazz NW host Jim Wilke.

The Quadraphonnes are an all-female saxophone quartet based in Portland, Oregon. They perform a blend of traditional and modern jazz tunes, modern rock/pop/funk songs, chamber pieces - ranging from baroque to contemporary, and up-and-coming arrangements of original tunes. Currently they perform in clubs around Portland, as well as presenting educational concerts in local schools and performing classical recitals.

The Quadraphonnes have been featured on local radio stations KMHD 89.1 and 91.5 KBOO, at the Portland Jazz Festival, Mt. Hood Jazz Festival, Portland International Film Festival, North American Saxophone Alliance, Portland Blues Festival, Portland Rose Festival, as well as guest spots with Candye Kane, the Mambo Queens, Felina's Arrow, Voodoo BBQ and they comprise most of the sax section for The Lily Wilde Orchestra. The Quadraphonnes also incorporate rhythm section on select performances with Leah Hinchcliff on bass, Ward Griffiths on drums and Brandy Keehn on percussion. All members have their degrees in music and perform and teach regularly in the Portland area.

Based on Vashon Island, a short ferry ride from Seattle (hence the name) Island Jazz Quintet (IJQ) has released its third CD, Who Knows, to a standing-room-only crowd at the Crepe de Paris in Seattle. Already the disc is receiving world-wide radio airplay. "This group is one of Washington state's finest jazz ensembles...Just listen to the personal touches and humor the band adds to 'What a Little Moonlight Can Do,' to see that this is a group that should be selling out shows all across the country." -James Rodgers, Victory Review

IJQ's first two CD's, one self-titled and the other, Youkali, both received critical acclaim and airplay all across the country. A captivating live show has kept the band busy with regular concerts and club dates in the Seattle area as well as international stints as far as China and Mexico.

"In these guys you have a fine instrumental quartet...They can swing with the best and seem especially influenced by the California cool sound of Chet Baker. Their rendition of the classic number Bernie's Tune is a knockout. But that's not all. They have a dynamite vocalist as well. Maggie Laird is a real find. Her take on One For My Baby is near perfect." -Lars Ghandil

Whether digging up an obscure relic, debuting a new tune (about half the material is original) or delivering a take on a favorite Bossa Nova, IJQ is full of talent and surprises.

Born in Cleveland, OH, Kamal Abdul-Alim was taught by his mother at a very early age to play the piano and read music. Her performed on tuba and bass violin as a youngster before finding his way to the trumpit - the instrument he was fated to make his own.

After completing his stuies in composition, arranging, and performance at Boston's Berkeley College of music, he further honed his musical sensibilities under the tutelage of Archie Shepp and Max Roach at the University of Massachusetts. He then moved to New York where he resided for more than 25 years. There he met, performed, and recorded with jazz legends, including Clark Terry, Frank Foster, Eddie Jefferson, Philly Joe Jones, Bill Hardman, Billy Higgins, and Billy Taylor's Jazz Mobile Orchestra. During the 70s, he was a much sought-after performer in the New York Jazz Loft scene, where he performed with such personalities as Sam Rivers, Olu Dara, David Murry, Oliver Lake, and the late Lester Bowie. While residing in Europe and Africa, he worked with several of the most exciting African, Caribbean, and South American musicians, including Manu Dibango, Ray Lema, Chris McGregor, and Xalam.

An audience favorite from the first Harmony Jazz & Wine Festival in 2008, we're thrilled to have Shelly Rudolph and friends back this year to be our evening headline act on Saturday, Sept. 12.

Shelly is a maker of soul music, as a fine and sultry singer and songwriter with a sense of adventure and a desire for emotional truth. That much is plainly true. But, while soul music guides her, the stylistic plot keeps thickening, as she demonstrates on her ambitious new album, Water In My Hand. R&B, in its many guises, may be the foundation of Rudolph’s new project, but she also takes her voice into areas where you can’t deny the touch of hypnotic gospel, African concepts, New Orleans barbecue sauce, tango, jazz phrasing, and visitations from her recurring Caribbean muse. The album's diversity of tracks and styles, and rhythmic landscapes from different global corners, makes for a diverse creative journey. But it’s also one with a clear and coherent musical identity.

Call her a "world soul" artist. Rudolph's naturally curious musical tendencies put her in the heart of a time when musical hybrids come easily, and sticking to a purist attitude can limit artistic potential. An experienced vocalist, in jazz, pop, and soul, Rudolph is all about exploring new levels of potential. If an Oregonian at heart, she has lived and performed in New York City, Los Angeles (where she recorded her debut album project), and has traveled to and performed in the Caribbean, the free spirit and swaying musical vibe of which is one of the stronger impulses in her musical concept. With her new body of work and multi-directional sound, Rudolph is poised to take her place among the movement of creative voices in the loose genre of New Soul. She abides by the importance of soulful expression, in whatever global garb suits the moment.

Every so often an artist comes along that literally has it all... great songwriting, a beautiful seductive voice and a passion for music... Shelly Rudolph is that special artist and Water in My Hand is that special CD. Shelly possesses that natural, earthy tone that can't be taught in a music class. Her voice caresses your ears and her sassy attitude keeps you coming back for more. If you want to fall in love again look no further... - Calvin Walker, Director, KMHD Radio, 89.1

Jonathan Kingham must be doing something right. In his first few years on the scene, he has quickly developed into a seasoned performer while sharing the stage with the likes of Shawn Colvin, Michael McDonald, Doug Stone, Vanessa Carlton, Jonatha Brooke, and David Wilcox, and recent tours have found him on the road with such diverse acts as Julio Iglesias Jr. and Glen Phillips of Toad the Wet Sprocket. But its not only his live performances that are winning him fans and accolades. He took 1st place honors in the National Telluride Troubadour Songwriting Contest, The Unisong International Song Contest, as well as placing two years in a row in the top five of the John Lennon Song contest. He brought home the 1st Place award in the USA Songwriting Competition in the Folk Category as well as the Overall Grand Prize out of a worldwide field of 33,000 entries. His singing has been featured in films, soap operas and even the WB network's hit show Felicity. In 2003 he inked a development deal with Universal South Records and is currently writing and recording with some of the top writers and players in Nashville.

The release of his third album That Chages Everything finds him mining the fertile changes of jazz while maintaining one foot firmly in the folk/pop world that has enabled him to sell over 5,000 copies of his first two releases. Fans of Shawn Colvin, Norah Jones and Jamie Cullum will enjoy this new offering from one of Seattle's up and coming performers.

With a soothing blend of folk, pop, country and jazz, Kingham usually comes armed with a huge tub of Red Vines, a quick wit, and has rapidly become a favorite on the northwest circuit. With a sound that is equally at home in a coffeehouse, theatre, or a lunchtime concert on the lawn, Kingham is a versatile and in demand performer.

Performing Songwriter magazine selected his sophomore release Hardwood Floors as one of its top Do It Yourself Picks. "If this is just the beginning, Kingham is going to be a major talent in the near future," says Performing Songwriting Magazine.

"Kingham has talent way off the richter scale" - Anchorage Daily News

 

Michael Powers closed the Harmony Jazz & Wine Festival last year, and he'll be doing the same this year, as we've added a third date, in part so we could get Michael into our packed line-up. He's just released another CD this summer, Soul School, so expect to hear some new sounds from this prolific musician.

Michael was born in New York City, but grew up in the San Francisco Bay area. His musical career began as therapy, when at the age of 15 he took up strumming the guitar to strengthen his wrist after a skateboard accident. Following his graduation from Berkeley High School when he was 15½, he moved to Seattle and frequented local jam sessions, keeping his fingers on the guitar strings and his mind on making his music reach a wider audience. Says Powers, “I learned how to play by sitting in at as many places as I could, developing eclectic tastes by playing with all types of bands: Jazz, Rock, Blues, R&B, and Top 40. I wanted to learn how to play any kind of music that featured a guitar as a solo voice.”

On stage, Michael has performed with, recorded with, or shared billings with piano giant Herbie Hancock, classic Jazz saxophonist Eddie “Clean Head” Vinson, B3 master Dr. Lonnie Smith, Ronnie Cuber, Gil Scott Heron, Keiko Matsui, Nancy Wilson, Les McCann, Najee, Tommy Davidson, Dr. Cornel West, the legendary Ray Charles, Afro-pop star King Sunny Ade, Grammy award-winning vocalist Diane Schuur, R&B greats Gladys Knight and the Pips and Atlantic Starr, contemporary Jazz artists Ronny Jordan, Tom Grant, David Benoit, sax great Ernie Watts, the Yellowjackets, and the duo of Tuck & Patti.

Michael Powers has established himself among a new breed of guitarists and composers who, with each album and every performance, continually redefines the guitars' role in the jazz context. -- The Tacoma News Tribune

 

Click below to buy tickets:

[Dinner Show, 9/11] | [Sat., 9/12] | [Sun., 9/13] | [Three-Day Pass]