Eric Patterson photo courtesy of the artist.

Tuesday, August 13, 6:30 to 10:30pm
Various venues, Shoreline

With summer in full swing, the city of Shoreline fires up its “Celebrate Shoreline” birthday bash with the 13th Annual North City Jazz Walk (NCJW) on Tuesday, August 13. Welcoming music lovers, families and friends of all ages, the event presents hot regional jazz artists in cozy indoor venues as well as outdoor stages. Outdoor shows begin at 6:30 pm, with indoor club concerts available to ticket holders, starting at 7:00 pm.

Arrive early and nibble on a wide variety of “Jazz Bites” served by local restaurants, street booths and food trucks, starting at 6:00pm. Then meander among the various music venues located along the intersection of 15th Avenue NE and NE 175th Street and listen to your preferred pick of bands. Shows are comprised of 45-minute sets with the exception of the North City Bistro where ensembles will play three 50-minute sets from 6:30pm to 10:15pm. Three stages (Dorian Photography, Frank Lumber and Door Store, Animal Medical Center) are free and open to the public.

Look for returning regional jazz favorites as well as great new talent in the concert line-up. Greta Matassa, a regional jazz mainstay and recipient of multiple Earshot “Northwest Vocalist of the Year” awards, performs with her quartet at the Bethel Lutheran Church. Winner of “NW Instrumentalist of the Year” award, Dmitri Matheny on flugelhorn leads an all-star band, featuring vocalist Holly Pyle in a program paying tribute to the music of Burt Bacharach. Renowned vibraphonist Susan Pascal and her group present a rousing salute to Wes Montgomery. Pascal’s quintet includes Brian Monroney (guitar,) Bill Anschell (piano), Chuck Deardorf (bass), and Brad Boal (drums).

Other bands include Eric Patterson of the famed James Gang and his quintet; Clave Gringa Cuban Jazz, with pianist and band leader Ann Reynolds performing tunes from her recent CD, Joy ; Convergence Zone with Shoreline’s own Doug Reid on alto sax; How Short; Hook Me Up; Stephanie Porter Band; Walter Sierra Latin Jazz Project, and Lord Shambleton.

The North City Jazz Walk was created in 2007 with the intent to bring live jazz music to Shoreline and to promote North City businesses. It has become the largest one-night summer music event in North King County. In 2009 NCJW became a part of Celebrate Shoreline, a week of activities ending with a festival at Cromwell Park that honors the 1995 incorporation of the City.

The North City Jazz Walk is produced by the North City Business Association, with generous support from the City of Shoreline, the Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Arts Council, Ronald Wastewater District, Gabbert Architects and Planners, and the North City Water District.

–Marianne Gonterman

Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 day of the event, available through Brown Paper Tickets. For more information about the North City Jazz Walk, visit northcityjazzwalk.org.