Whitney Mongé photo courtesy of the artist.
Summer at SAM: Art of Jazz
Olympic Sculpture Park, 2901
Western Ave
For the summer months, the Art of Jazz series moves to the Seattle Art Museum’s Olympic Sculpture Park. July 18 features the future funk fusion stylings of High Pulp, named NW Alternative Group of the Year for the 2018 Golden Ear Awards. Next up on August 8, local chanteuse and soul powerhouse Whitney Mongé will showcase her lush vocals and minimal blend of rhythm and blues rock from 6:30-8 p.m. The Art of Jazz series is sponsored by KNKX 88.5 & Earshot Jazz and is part of the Summer at SAM events schedule. Admission is free. Visit www.earshot.org for more details.
Downtown Summer Sounds
Downtown Seattle
Formerly known as the Out to Lunch concert series, Downtown Summer Sounds brings free local music to downtown Seattle throughout the summer. Produced by the Downtown Seattle Association and presented by Virginia Mason, this series continues a 42-year tradition of supporting free live music for Seattle workers, residents, and visitors. Bands and schedules have not been listed yet, but the series is typically jam-packed with notable musicians from the area. Full schedule of acts will be available at downtownseattle.org.
Dancing til Dusk
Hing Hay, Westlake, Freeway & Occidental Parks
Dancing til Dusk is back again offering a smorgasbord of free outdoor dancing, music, and dance lessons on Tuesdays and Thursdays around Seattle parks. It begins on July 11 in Hing Hay Park as Curley Taylor & Zydeco Trouble from Louisiana rip roar through. The 14 different events include nights with honkey tonk swingers The Billy Joe Show (July 16,Occidental Square), swing band Casey MacGill Quartet (July 18, Hing Hay Park), tango move-makers The BenThomas Tango Trio (July 30, Westlake), salsa musicians Mambo Cadillac (August 8, Freeway Park), vintage swing revivalists Birch Pereira & the Gin Joints (August 15, Freeway Park), among many others. Dancing begins at 6pm, with a free lesson during the first hour. Full schedule information is available at danceforjoy.biz.
Interbay Golf Center BBQ Jazz
2501 15th Ave W
Every Monday from July 8 to July 29 brings BBQ and jazz to Interbay Golf Center. Starting July 8 with enchanting singer Gail Pettis, this summer’s BBQ jazz calendar also includes Leah Natale & Ambience (July 15), the bluesy Stickshift Annie with Kimball & the Fugitives (July 22), and Scott Lindenmuth (July 29). Free, first-come-first-served concert seating starts at 5pm, with music from 5:30–8:30pm. More information at premiergc.com/-bbq-jazz.
Jazz on the Lawn at
Cedarbrook Lodge
18525 36th Ave S
For the eighth consecutive year, the Cedarbrook Lodge presents Jazz on the Lawn on Friday, July 12, a single-night summer concert event suited for jazz and culinary aficionados alike. The evening opens with the exceptional Forman-Finley Band accompanied by Cherrie Adams, and is headlined by the renowned gypsy jazz troupe Pearl Django. Copperleaf Restaurant features small plates and appetizers and regional sips from the vine, along with craft cocktails and beer. More info & tickets available at cedarbrooklodge.com.
Summer Concerts at Ballard Locks
3015 NW 54th St
This long-running series on the grounds of the botanical gardens and bustling Ballard Locks features an eclectic mix of performances ranging from big band and blues to Brazilian samba and Latin-funk fusion. Happening every Saturday and Sunday at 2pm in July and August, plus a special event on July 4th with the Seattle CivicBand, all shows are free to the public. The 2019 series includes: West Seattle Big Band, Coal Creek Jazz Band, The Tempos, High Class Brass Quintet, Michael Clune & Moodance, and many more acts encompassing oldtime swing, blues, jazz, samba and marching band music. Full lineup at ballardlocks.org.
ZooTunes at Woodland Park Zoo
5500 Phinney Ave N
Trademark Seattle summer tradition BECU ZooTunes returns this year with a wide range of musicians from various genres, including jazz, folk, country, rock and blues. Some shows are already sold out—including John Prine and the B-52s—but there’s still room for Cody Johnson and Whitey Morgan (July 21), crooner Feist and Rhye (August 11), classic blues performers Taj Mahal & Marc Cohn featuring the Blind Boys of Alabama (August 15), and The Wood Brothers with Colter Wall (August 25). Ticket prices vary and are available online, along with full schedule and more information, at zoo.org/zootunes.
