Picoso’s Ivan Gálvez photo by Dave Lichterman
Seattle outdoor jazz concerts and dances abound this summer. Here are nine alfresco opportunities in the city for outdoors enthusiasts and jazz fans alike.
Summer at SAM: Art of Jazz Series
Olympic Sculpture Park
2901 Western Ave
This summer the Art of Jazz Series at the Seattle Art Museum’s Olympic Sculpture Park kicks off July 10 with Picoso, a vibrant local Afro-Latin jazz ensemble. The series continues August 10 with new jazz quartet Industrial Revelation. The Art of Jazz series is sponsored by KPLU 88.5 and Earshot Jazz and is part of the Summer at SAM events schedule. Concerts begin at 6pm. Admission is free.
Out to Lunch Series
Downtown
The Out to Lunch Series offers an exciting change to the midday lunch break. Starting July 9th and carrying on through September 5th every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday will feature an outdoor performance from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at downtown locales such as City Hall. All shows are free and the full schedule of 27 acts is available at www.downtownseattle.com/Summer
Dancing til Dusk
Westlake Park & Freeway Park
Enjoy dancing outdoors in two Seattle parks this summer as part of the Dancing til Dusk series.
Free dance lessons will be offered before the main events. The series begins with the retro swing Dina Blade and Swingin’ in the Rain in Westlake Park on July 22, and Mach One Jazz Orchestra brings their brand of big band to Freeway Park July 24. Show up early for lessons, dancing begins at 6pm, full schedule information is available at www.danceforjoy.biz.
Interbay Golf Center BBQ Jazz
2501 15th Ave W
Every Thursday in the month of July brings BBQ and jazz to Interbay Golf Center. Starting July 10 with the vocal stylings of Leah Natale and Ambience, this summer’s BBQ jazz calendar boasts local Gypsy jazz sensations Pearl Django (July 17), vocalist Gail Pettis (July 24), and the bluesy vocals of Stickshift Annie with Kimball & The Fugitives (July 31). Concert seating starts at 5pm. No charge, no reservations, first come first served. More at www.premiergc.com/-bbq-jazz.
ZooTunes at Woodland Park Zoo
750 N 50th St or 5500 Phinney Ave N
Rain or shine concert presentations at the Woodland Park Zoo include concessions and beer gardens, but not regular zoo admission. This summer features Taj Mahal Trio, August 6, and Trombone Shorty with Galactic, August 17. Ticket prices vary and are available online at www.zoo.org/zootunes.
Jazz Under the Stars at PLU
12180 Park Ave. S. (Tacoma)
Pacific Lutheran University hosts their 16th annual Jazz Under the Stars events at the Mary Barker Russell outdoor amphitheater. Beginning July 10 and carrying on through August 14, these events feature a diverse range of acts from the Brazilian tinged Luigi Lacross Quartet to the Swingin’ Sounds of Courage military big band. Concerts begin at 7pm and are free to the public. Full schedule of events is available at www.plu.edu/news/2014/06/jazzunderthestars.
Jazz on the Lawn at Cedarbrook Lodge
18525 36th Ave S
The luxury, award-winning Cederbrook Lodge announces the return of their Friday evening summer concert series. This July and August, the Cedarbrook lawn will be set with theatre seating, lawn seating, and an array of cocktail tables for the enjoyment of some scintillating summer tunes. Beginning July 12 with the West African jazz of The Kora Band, every Friday will feature music through August 23. Concerts begin at 6:30pm. Admission is $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Information, tickets, and schedule is available at www.cedarbrooklodge.com/jazz.
Summer Concerts at Ballard Locks
Hiram M. Chittenden Locks
This long-running series on the grounds of the beautiful botanical gardens and bustling Ballard Locks features an eclectic mix of performances ranging from Brazilian samba to classic Dixieland jazz. Happening every Saturday and Sunday in July and August, all shows are 2pm matinees, and free to the public. Full line-up at blog.friendsoftheballardlocks.org.
Bumbershoot
Seattle Center
Bumbershoot has been bringing a diverse sea of music to Seattle every summer since 1971. Falling the last weekend in August, Bumbershoot 2014 features the vocal jazz of Gregory Porter, the deep funk influenced grooves of McTuff, and the genre-bending jazz formulations of bassist composer Evan Flory Barnes + Infinity Upright! Daily tickets as well as three-day passes are available at www.bumbershoot.strangertickets.com.
