Jazz in The Georgian, November 9 & 10, 2012

This week at Jazz in The Georgian featured two outstanding musicians.  On Friday night we had the amazing Darin Clendenin on keyboard.  Saturday night had the inimitable Jay Mabin on harmonica.

 

Darin Clendenin is recognized as one of the Northwest’s finest pianist and keyboard artists. Fluent in numerous styles of music, his stylish interpretations of everything from old classics to jazz standards, from classical to modern works enchant audiences everywhere. His performances, as well as his arranging and composing talents, are sought after for their artistry as well as their magical innovative mix of styles.
Past performances include: Opened for Herbie Hancock, Zoo Tunes Concert Series, Seattle; Mt. Hood Jazz Festival; International Jazz Festival; Du Maurier Jazz Festival; Toronto Jazz Festival; Ballard Jazz Festival; Port Townsend Jazz Festival; Rising Jazz Stars Foundation, Beverly Hills, CA; Portland Jazz Festival; Blaine Jazz Festival Clinics and Concerts; Bumbershoot, Seattle; Jazz in the Valley; and Anacortes Arts Festival.

He also has performed with numerous jazz legends, including Nancy King, Ernestine Anderson, Leroy Vinnegar, Mel Brown and Ron Steen. His work can also be heard on numerous recordings.

It's a real treat for me to play with Darin.  Here is a cut from Friday night of a tune called Simone.

Simone

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Every second Saturday of each month is reserved for master harpist Jay Mabin.  He is without peer in the Pacific Northwest.  While there are some great harp players in the area such as legendary Lee Oskar, nobody plays harmonica like Jay does.  For one thing he can not only wail on a chromatic harp, he can play chromatically on a diatonic harp.  While there are many excellent harpists, there are not many harpists in abundance that are truly jazz musicians.  Improvising on complex chord changes is the musical playground for jazz musicians.  He is more akin to Toots Thielemans but Jay has a deep rooted sense of jazz history and its discography.  He is heavily influenced by jazz masters such as Joe Henderson, Tommy Flanagan, and John Coltrane to name only a few.  Jay is one of a kind.  He is also one of the nicest fellows you'll ever meet.  

Playing with Jay for the last two and half years has been a wonderful revelation.  I think we arguably have one of the most unique musical acoustic combinations you will encounter: harmonica and string bass.  Often we've been told that on first impression the sound of such a duo doesn't seem like it would play out well in theory.  But, after a tune or two, such notions are dispelled.  There is a whole lot of music going on between the two of us.  Here is a take from Saturday night of an old George Gershwin classic called Summertime.

Summertime

Please visit our YouTube channel to see and hear more tunes with Darin Clendenin and Jay Mabin as well as many videos from Jazz in The Georgian and highlights of Smooth Groove Productions special events. 

Jazz in The Georgian every Fridays and Saturday nights, 6pm-10pm at The Fairmont Olympic Hotel, 411 University Street, Seattle, WA 98101, 206-621-7889.

Come on out!  Hope to see you all soon!