Seattle Jazz Vespers

LaVon Hardison – vocals, Osama Afifi – bass, Cliff Colon – sax, D’vonne Lewis – drums, and Eugene Bien – piano

Singer LaVon Hardison is known in the business – by musicians, venues, and audiences – as a mesmerizing performer, a reliable collaborator, and an ambassador of joy.
It’s true: listeners love LaVon. She has glowing vocals and an effortless command of the stage. She offers fresh interpretations of classics and has an authentic, true-love relationship with the audience.

One of the most refreshing things about LaVon is that she knows she’s not in it alone. A longtime collaborator with a stable of the region’s most highly regarded instrumentalists, she approaches her shows by working closely with others to create irresistible arrangements for shows that are a really good time.
She rolls out dozens of them each year: Polished, accessible jazz and jazzed-up pop and classical performances in Seattle and across the Pacific Northwest (and beyond).

LaVon’s first love is jazz. But it wasn’t the sound she first knew. Growing up in a Baptist congregation in Boston, LaVon was saturated with gospel music. As a young adult, she trained in opera and musical theater and went on to perform with the Boston Lyric Opera and many other dramatic and musical theaters across the country.

Today, LaVon sings the songs that tell stories, from the worlds of soul, R&B, classical, sacred, and pop – and gives them new life and energy from a jazz perspective. And she is more frequently mixing in her own evocative original compositions.

Audiences come back to hear her again and again. LaVon’s glossy, warm tone and infectious stage presence make her a surefire booking for concert series and festivals.

LaVon was a featured performer at the 2009 Festival of World Sacred Music in New Delhi, India. In 2016, she won the Seattle-Kobe Sister City Jazz Vocalist Audition at Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, which took her on three-city performance tour of Japan. And she was the Earshot Jazz 2017 Vocalist of the Year.

Frank Anderson – vocals and sangban, Chava Mirel – vocals, Alex Chadsey – piano, Farko Dosumov – electric bass, and Jeff Busch – drums and percussion

Duende Libre is an award-winning jazz group whose original music combines jazz virtuosity with roots rhythms from Cuba, Brazil, and West Africa into a “strikingly authentic blend.” Each having apprenticed with direct descendants and master musicians of these traditions, they consider themselves disciples of their teachers. The result: A euphoric new jazz that honors its historical roots, pushing open the boundaries of genre to invoke a powerful sonic freedom.

“Each member’s experiences are vital as they filter West African traditional rhythms through their own hands, voices, minds, bodies, each song as much choreography as a composition,” PopMatters wrote. “Hopeful in sound as well as in ideological foundation, [the band creates music] full of heart and historical multitudes.”

Pop Matters calls it “globally-inspired jazz with dimension.” You will encounter sizzling rhythms and grooving basslines, experimental meters and irresistible melodic hooks, all aglow with the technical virtuosity earned by decades of devotion to their craft.

The trio is joined by the award-winning chanteuse Chava Mirel and inimitable tenor Frank Anderson. Formed by deep connections to Jewish and West African styles, the singers’ ebullient and masterful vocal techniques enrich Duende Libre’s live performance with even greater vibrancy. “To see the band live is to get a sense of the deep respect they have for each other, and the joy they take in connecting with each other and the audience” one critic wrote for Earshot.

The band effectively—and uniquely—calls attention to the space between contemporary jazz traditions and broader musical influences from around the globe. Informed by a cumulative century of devoted study, they answer to this with emphatic (and euphoric) sonic interpretations that effectively enrich the collective language of jazz itself.

Jake Bergevin – trumpet and vocals, Milo Petersen – guitar, – piano, – bass, – drums

Singer/trumpeter/bandleader and educator Jake Bergevin has recorded two albums as leader and has been a featured artist with diverse groups such as the Tacoma Symphony, the Spokane Jazz Orchestra, Seattle Women’s Jazz Orchestra, and many more.

He leads his own groups including the Javatown Swing Orchestra and the Jake Bergevin Quintet and can also be heard playing with many other notable northwest bands and musicians.

His first recording as a leader, My Name is Jake, is a combination of sensitive jazz vocals and romping party/dance music. Conceived as a partial tribute to his heroes Frank Sinatra and Ray Charles, Jake puts his own stamp on some classic tunes and demonstrates his crooning, blues shouting, scat-singing, and trumpet solo skills in fine fashion.

Alex Dugdale – sax, Cole Schuster – guitar, John Hanson – piano, Greg Feingold, bass, and Max Holmberg, drums

Alex Dugdale was adopted from Cali, Colombia and raised in Seattle WA. After graduating from Roosevelt High School in 2008, Alex studied saxophone performance at the Eastman school of music in Rochester NY. He returned to Seattle in 2013, forming his own jazz quintet and becoming a first call performer with many of Seattle’s finest bands including the Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra and The Seattle Symphony. In past years, he performed with such bands as The Temptations, The Pointer Sisters and Four Tops as well as with John Legend, Dianne Walker, Chester Whitmore, Wynton Marsalis, David Meder, Najee and others.

Alex is also a passionate educator teaching both tap dance and music as a full time teacher and guest educator for the last decade. He currently teaches elementary band and orchestra for Seattle Public Schools and Tap Dance courses for the University of Washington dance department.

Alex is an Earshot Jazz Golden Ear Award as Emerging Artist of the Year winner in 2019.

Tobi Stone – tenor sax and clarinet, Heather Chriscaden – bass, Ann Reynolds – piano, and Eric Eagle – drums.

Over the last 25 years, Tobi Stone has performed professionally with several bands. She toured and recorded with The Tiptons Saxophone Quartet and Drums across Europe and in the US, from 2002-2007, and with Reptet Jazz Septet in the US, from 2001-2008. She was the first female member of The Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra from 2012-2015. She has performed shows in the pit orchestra with The 5th Avenue Theatre, The Village Theatre, Spectrum Dance Studio Theatre, as well as for live radio and TV broadcasts for KEXP, KPLU, Seattle Joe TV, and KING 5 TV.

Tobi has appeared with Dave Brubeck, Kristen Chenoweth, Branford Marsalis, Anat Cohen, Meshiya Lake, Don Lanphere, Nancy King, and Bert Wilson. Through out her career, she has performed with The Seattle Symphony Orchestra Pops concerts and Ravel’s Bolero, The Tacoma Symphony Orchestra, and Seattle Women’s Jazz Orchestra (2001-2006). She has performed and recorded with local bands Clave Gringa, Septet of Darkness, Picoso, Choro Loco, Big World Breaks, Zubatto Syndicate, Yellow Hat Band, Cataldo, Kissing Potion, Publish The Quest, Thione Diop’s Afro Groove, The Jefferson Rose Band, B’shnorkestra, Ann Reynolds Jazz Duo, Susan Palmer Jazz Duo, and Night and Day Jazz Trio.

A returning Seattle Jazz Vesper favorite, Singer/Songwriter Eugenie Jones is an exceptional vocalist and cleverly gifted lyricist who has released highly-praised, primarily original, vocal projects.

Her current release – Players – was a Best Jazz Vocal Album Grammy® contender and internationally ranked #7 on Jazz Week’s top 50 charts. Jones is additionally an Earshot Jazz Vocalist of the Year award recipient and the first vocal recording artist to receive Earshot’s Recording of the Year Golden Ear award.

A warm, engaging entertainer, she’s described by critics as an artist that “can make you feel jazz,” and she and her recordings have received favorable coverage in every major jazz publication, including DownBeat, JazzTimes, JazzIz, The Gazette/NY, and many others. Described as a “deft vocalist,” Jones has also proven to be a skillful songwriter, releasing 29 originals on her recordings.

Previous performances include The Jazz Forum/NY, PianoForte/Chicago, Town Hall Seattle/WA,
The Scat Jazz Lounge/TX, Blue Llama Club/MI, The Cloakroom/NY, Baur’s Listening Lounge/CO, Twins Jazz/DC, Atlanta Jazz Festival, San Jose Jazz Festival/CA, Earshot Jazz Festival/WA, The Harlem Late Night Jazz Series, The Royal Room/WA, Seattle Jazz Vespers/WA, and many other notable venues.

In addition to being a singer/songwriter/recording-performing artist, Jones is actively engaged in her community. She serves as the founding Board President of the Music Discover Center, a nonprofit that provides disadvantaged youth access to music instruction. For the last four years, she has also served as the Executive Producer of the Jackson Street Jazz Walk. This annual block-party community event commemorates Seattle’s historic African American music history and artists, such as Quincy Jones and Ray Charles, while raising funds for local nonprofits that feed the hungry and serve the needs of seniors.

Saxophonist, Flutist, Composer, Educator Seattle area native Mark Lewis is a well-traveled saxophonist and flutist who has created a large body of jazz music over the past four decades. He’s been a part of jazz scenes from Seattle and San Francisco to Rotterdam and Paris. His latest album, Naked Animals, was recorded in 1990 with his Quartet from the Netherlands. It’s an important historical recording of a working neo-bop Quartet that had an enthusiastic following for more than a decade. His 2017 release The New York Session features piano legend George Cables, veteran bassist Essiet Essiet and drummer Victor Lewis. Mark was rated number two for alto saxophone (after Richie Cole) and number three for flute (after Charles Lloyd and Hubert Laws) in the 39th Annual Jazz Station Awards for his work on this album.

Recent awards include Cadence Magazine Top Ten Critics Poll for 2021 for his album Naked Animals, and #2 on alto sax (after Richie Cole) and #3 on flute (after Charles Lloyd and Hubert Laws) in the 39th Annual Jazz Station Awards for his album The New York Session, a collaboration with piano legend George Cables, bassist Essiet Essiet, and drummer Victor Lewis.

Music writer Ted Gioia, known as a leading global guide to music past, present and future, says of Mark Lewis: “You listen to the guys with the primo recording contracts on the very top labels, and in my opinion, they’re not in Mark’s league.”

One of our all-time returning favorites at Seattle Jazz Vespers is our friend Jacqueline Tabor, also known as the “Seattle Chanteuse.” Jacqueline is an accomplished jazz, blues, and swing vocalist who enchants audiences with her powerful tones, style, and dynamic stage presence. This 4-time Earshot Jazz Vocalist of the Year and Seattle-Kobe Sister City Association Award Winner continues expanding her talents to entertain every audience. Tabor’s unique bluesy style and charismatic personality have made her one of the most beloved jazz vocalists and storytellers in the Pacific Northwest. Some call it the “Tabor Sound,” which is drenched in the natural rhythm of everyday life. She brings herself to every performance that encapsulates an authentic feeling of humanity. Tabor combines excitement and professionalism to everything music with a unique ensemble of Seattle’s most talented jazz musicians or local artists when on tour to create a community-centered experience.

Through the struggle of the pandemic, Jacqueline found a new and strong voice that now appears in the form of poetry, original compositions, percussion, and swing dance. She collaborated with the multifaceted, award-winning, and outstanding musician Marina Albero during this time. This dynamic duo created a production called Don’t Explain: A Musical Conversation Between Billie Holiday and Nina Simone which was a part of the 2022 Earshot Jazz Festival and was awarded Concert of the Year by Earshot Jazz and the Seattle Community. This friendship transcended Tabor from singer to musician and created an outlet for the pain and triumphs of this dark period of history.

In February 2020, Tabor performed a powerful tribute to Billie Holiday with multiple standing ovations and accolades and was nominated for Concert of the Year by Earshot Jazz. Since 2019 Jacqueline has been a guest artist for the prestigious Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra (SRJO). This beautiful partnership will continue for years to come.

Jacqueline Tabor is in the middle of a creative thunderstorm, — empowered, strong, and full of love; this is a moment you do not want to miss. She always leaves an audience with a memorable and spiritual moment, yearning for more.

Danny Quintero – vocals, and Critical Mass Big Band (5 saxophones, 4 trombones, 5 trumpets, piano, bass, guitar, and drums)

A returning Seattle Jazz Vespers artist, Seattle native Danny Quintero has had the opportunity to share the stage with many high profile Seattle musicians such as: Clarence Acox, Overton Berry, Randy Halberstadt, James Caddell, Bill Ramsay, Bill Anschell, Stephanie Porter, Lance Bullar and many more!

Danny’s keen ear for subtle nuances of the Sinatra school of ‘Bel Canto’ singing-articulation, phrasing, dynamics, and breath control have brought a fresh and likeable, personalized approach to the Great American Song book. He has and continues to, make appearances on Seattle radio stations, at various Seattle Jazz clubs, and more notably Danny performs weekly at the prominent 13 Coins “Night Owl Lounge”, one of Seattle’s most respected venues. In addition, Danny has performed with the Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra in their tribute to “Ol’ Blue Eyes, the Music of Frank Sinatra” at Benaroya Hall & the Kirkland Performance Center in addition to the four time winner of the Essentially Ellington Jazz Band competition, the Garfield High School Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Mr. Clarence Acox on a tour in Italy as well as in Seattle, WA.

Danny was nominated for Northwest Vocalist of the Year in 2011 and continues to bring a modern, yet traditional performance to the stage.

“There are many ‘so-called’ singers that make an attempt to do the music of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, etc. Most of these attempts come off with varying degrees of success and as a musician; it sometimes becomes a chore to share their stage. This is NOT the case with Danny Quintero. His sense of phrasing and attention to detail and pitch are impeccable. He studies the music of the greats that have come before him and understands the lineage, beauty and importance of the Great American Songbook. I have watched him grow over the last few years and it is a joy to have him on stage with the band. The young man can flat out sing.” –Clarence Acox, Seattle Jazz legend

During the interlude, Seattle Jazz Vespers will be awarding the “Shirley Cline Memorial Young Jazz Artist Scholarship.”

Jovino Santos Neto – piano, flute, melodica; Ben Thomas – vibraphone, bandoneon; Tim Carey – bass; Mark Ivester – drums; Jeff Busch – percussion

3-time Latin Grammy nominee Jovino Santos Neto is a master pianist, flutist, composer, arranger and conductor from Rio de Janeiro. After 15 years as a member of the legendary Hermeto Pascoal Group, he moved to Seattle in 1993. Since then, Jovino has established himself as a fascinating performer, whether playing solo piano, leading his award-winning Quinteto, or in guest appearances with ensembles and orchestras worldwide. He has shared the stage and the studio with some of the most creative musicians of our times.

Jovino’s compositions have been performed by the Seattle Symphony, NDR Big Band in Hamburg and by numerous jazz and chamber music groups. Jovino gives lectures, clinics and master classes worldwide on a variety of musical topics.

Jovino has received commissions by the Cheswatyr Foundation, IAJE, ASCAP, CMA/Doris Duke Foundation, Jack Straw Foundation, the City of Seattle, 4Culture, Artist Trust and Meet the Composer. He has been artist in residence at some of the most prestigious music schools in the world. In 2012 he was inducted into the Seattle Jazz Hall of Fame and in 2011, 2012, 2015 and 2018 the Jovino Santos Neto Quinteto won as Best Northwest Acoustic Group in the Golden Ear Awards by Earshot Jazz. He also was awarded an Artist Trust Fellowship in Music in 2012.

Come early for parking and best seating. We expect this concert to be a full house. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.

Also, we will be awarding our Shirley Cline Memorial “Young Jazz Artist Scholarship” during the interlude between sets.

Dina Blade – vocal and guitar, Hans Brehmer – piano, Osama Afifi – bass, Darian Asplund – sax/clarinet/flute, and Jamael Nance – drums

Dina Blade is a singer with a deeply relaxed sense of time and swing who spent her early childhood watching old cartoons with jazz soundtracks and has been enthralled with the music ever since. She has graced stages in the U.S., Canada, Europe, Cuba and Brazil, singing at festivals, jazz clubs.

An effervescent performer with a devotion to the timeless songs from the 1930s and 40s Great American Songbook, Dina has created several thematic shows preserving the work of the master composers and lyricists from that era. For this concert she will be playing classic and romantic songs from Brazil and the Great American Songbook. For this reason she is a recipient of the American Masters Performance Initiative from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Originally from Milan, Italy, Francesco Crosara’s music melds an impressive mix of jazz improvisation, a romantic vein from his classical training, along with Latin influences. Francesco stands among the European-bred jazz greats, performing over the years with the likes of Lionel Hampton, Freddie Hubbard, Roy Hargrove, Richie Cole, Lilian Terry, and more. His recordings have featured a multicultural and international array of musicians.

“Since 2017, the Northwest can claim his talents, too, as he’s demonstrated an eagerness to contribute to the local scene. Francesco was selected to perform at the 2021 Earshot Jazz Festival in Seattle and has been featured two years in a row in the trend-setting Earshot Jazz.

Travis Ranney – tenor saxophone, Michael Van Bebber – trumpet, Clif Swiggett -trombone/bongos, Nelda Swiggett – piano/vocal, Max Wood – drums, and Michael Glynn – bass

Swingin’, well-crafted arrangements and tight ensemble work produce a rich “big band” sound from this jazz sextet’s three-horn front line. Megabopolis is led by OA2 recording artist and award-winning composer Nelda Swiggett, and performs many of her original compositions and arrangements.

Megabopolis features some of Seattle’s finest jazz musicians, passionate about their craft, who have collectively performed at many top clubs and festivals throughout the Northwest and beyond, including the Earshot Jazz Festival, the Port Townsend Jazz Festival, Bumbershoot, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, the North Sea Jazz Festival, the Montreux Jazz Festival, and the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., to name a few.

Larry Green – vocal, LaRoi Carter – guitar, Dale Cartlett – drums, Michael Stubblefield – bass, Jim Cochran – keyboards, and Keith Carter – tenor and alto sax

Singer, songwriter, and musician Larry Green serves up a broad range of musical styles with his original compositions and vocal performances.

Influenced by Al Jarreau, Aretha Franklin, James Taylor and Maurice White, Larry identifies as a musician in the broader sense, unconstrained by genre or label.
As a songwriter, he delights in the pairing of funk rhythms and four-part gospel harmonies infused with rock guitar lead licks. Believing that music is the universal language, he also sees music as a uniting expression of invitation. Larry led and directed a gospel choir while an undergraduate earning his pharmacy degree.

He formed and toured with a funk band while on active duty and living in Italy, and recorded two solo albums showcasing his unique, blended style of artistic expression.

Larry has performed with his band Groove Deluxe at clubs and events in the Northwest, including the Bite of Seattle as well as the Taste of Tacoma.

Scott Lindenmuth – guitar, David Pascal – bass, Chris Munroe – drums, Dwight Beckmeyer – keyboards

Scott Lindenmuth is a guitarist with few boundaries. He has been described as “One of the Pacific Northwest’s greatest instrumentalists” and a “Genre-crossing virtuoso”.

Performing with his contemporary instrumental group the Scott Lindenmuth Group, they will be playing jazz standards, Latin, funk, fusion and originals.

Lindenmuth is expanding his reputation as a cutting edge composer, creative and intuitive improviser, and master technician. A master of many styles he is one of the few guitarists in the world today that can easily transition from jazz to electric blues, classical to rock, funk, and fusion displaying fluid technique and virtuosic ability in all genres. His list of influences range from Jimi Hendrix to Wes Montgomery, Andres Segovia to Pat Metheny.

As a composer he has released four albums of original compositions with his group which received rave reviews in major publications including Down Beat, Guitar Player, Guitar World and Jazziz. They have been featured on radio stations throughout the U.S., with sales in countries around the world. He has also composed many compositions for solo guitar.

Scott Lindenmuth is regular performer on the Pacific Northwest music scene and has appeared at the region’s top venues for live music.

Greta Matassa – vocals, Brian Monroney – guitar, Clipper Anderson – bass , Mark Ivester – drums, and Alexey Nikolaev – sax