
Ben Street photo by Daniel Sheehan
May 9-11, 7:30pm
Jones Playhouse Theatre
4045 University Way NE
While UW’s cherry blossoms are one of the famous signals of spring in Seattle, jazz fans have begun to look toward campus for the Improvised Music Project’s annual festival. What began as a way to showcase the student talent at the university, the organization’s annual showcase event, IMPfest, has continued to expand and evolve, pairing world-renowned guests with student musicians. After a successful sojourn to the Chapel Performance Space for 2013’s event, IMPfest moves back to campus this year, utilizing the Jones Playhouse Theatre space on University Way to house its most ambitious lineup to date.
Known for innovating across different genres, the members of the IMP decided to cover very different musical grounds this IMPfest:
Frequent collaborators Billy Hart and Ben Street, appearing May 11, help anchor this year’s festival, and are certainly household names in the jazz world.

Holly Palmer, a singer-songwriter with a prolific output, will appear as well, May 9, with IMP members contributing new arrangements of her songs.
Eclectic keyboardist Pete Rende, May 10, who collaborated with UW jazz faculty Cuong Vu and Ted Poor for some New York concerts in December 2013, will come west to reprise his role with his bandmates. If that weren’t enough, Bill Frisell will return to make his second consecutive appearance at the festival.
While past years’ festivals have focused on numerous opening acts appearing before the featured guests, this year’s festival will more heavily feature collaboration between IMP members, UW jazz faculty, and the guest artists. Each night features a particular artist or group, yet many of the event’s contributors will be present throughout the festival, so the possibilities for musical surprises certainly abound. Whatever happens, this year’s event is sure to present something for every listener!
Tickets are $10 for the public, free for UW students, available through Brown Paper Tickets.
IMPfest VI
Friday, May 9
Holly Palmer
with UW students, then with Bill Frisell, Pete Rende, Cuong Vu and Ted Poor
Saturday, May 10
Pete Rende
with UW students, then with Bill Frisell, Cuong Vu and Ted Poor
Sunday, May 11
Billy Hart and Ben Street
with UW students, then with Bill Frisell, Cuong Vu and Ted Poor