Gail Pettis photo by Daniel Sheehan
Summer at SAM: Art of Jazz
Olympic Sculpture Park, 2901 Western Ave
This summer the Art of Jazz Series at the Seattle Art Museum’s Olympic Sculpture Park continues August 10 with Tarik Abouzied’s Happy Orchestra. The 2016 Northwest Alternative Jazz Group of the Year has an action-packed summer of outdoor performances, ramping up to the official release of their new record this fall at the Earshot Jaz Festival. The Art of Jazz series is sponsored by KPLU 88.5 & Earshot Jazz and is part of the Summer at SAM events schedule. Concerts begin at 6pm. Admission is free.
Cornish@Amazon
Van Vorst Plaza, 410 Terry Ave N
Now in its third year, the Cornish@Amazon concert series in South Lake Union features a diverse selection of music played by Cornish students, faculty, and alumni. From Latin to contemporary jazz, there’s something new every Thursday from June 18 to October 1, 12–1pm.
Upcoming shows feature the A Cedar Suede, with Jamie Maschler (accordion), Harold Belskus (guitar/vocals), Martin Strand (bass), Steve O’Brien (trumpet), Tommy Whiteside (percussion), Joe Eck (drums), and Amanda Fitch (violin), on August 6; guitarist Michael Powers on August 13; The Blackberry Bushes, with Jakob Breitbach (fiddle), Jes Raymond (guitar/vocals), Daniel Ullom (mandolin), Forrest Marowitz (bass), and Alex Genova (banjo), on August 20; and Tomten, with Brian Noyeswatkins (keys/guitar/vocals), Jake Brady (drums), Dillon Sturtevant (bass/vocals/guitar), and Robert Bennett (guitar/vocals), on August 27. Full schedule available at cornish.edu/calendar/visitingartists.
Out to Lunch Series
Downtown
Now in its 39th year, Downtown Seattle Association’s Out to Lunch concert series is bigger than ever, with music every day of the week, and not just at lunch! This free, outdoor series brings live music to 12 downtown locations from July 5 to September 1. All concerts take place from 12-1:30pm, except on Mondays, with late afternoon entertainment from 4:30-6pm. The series presents local favorites including En Canto (August 3, City Hall Plaza), Skerik’s Bandalabra (August 9, Union Square), SWOJO with Gail Pettis (August 10, City Hall Plaza), and Grace Love (August 21, Van Vorst Plaza). Full schedule of acts is available at downtownseattle.com/Summer/otl.
Dancing til Dusk
Westlake, Freeway & Occidental Parks
Enjoy dancing outdoors in Seattle parks this summer as part of the Dancing til Dusk series, presenting 13 evenings of free music, dance lessons, and dancing. Free dance lessons will be offered before the main events. The series features artists including gypsy swingers Ranger & the Re-Arrangers (August 1, Westlake Park), a night of tango with the Ben Thomas Quartet (August 3, Freeway Park), a West Coast Swing set with DJ Koichi (August 15, Westlake Park), and many more acts. Dancing begins at 6pm. Full schedule information is available at danceforjoy.biz.
Interbay Golf Center BBQ Jazz
2501 15th Ave W
Every Monday from mid-July to mid-August brings BBQ and jazz to Interbay Golf Center. The series wraps up August 7 with the vocal stylings of Northwest favorite Gail Pettis. Concert seating starts at 5pm, music at 5:30pm. No charge, no reservations, first come, first served. More at premiergc.com/-bbq-jazz.
Summer Concerts at Ballard Locks
3015 NW 54th St
This long-running series on the grounds of the beautiful 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, and, this year, celebrates the Centennial of the Locks with a jam-packed summer. Happening Saturdays and Sundays, 2pm, in August, all shows are free to the public. The 2017 series includes: Ballard Sedentary Sousa Band, August 6; Pacific Cascade Big Band, August 12; MachOne Jazz Orchestra, August 13; Microsoft Jumpin’ Jive Orchestra, August 19; and many more acts. Full lineup at ballardlocks.org.
Free Blues & Cool Jazz
Freeway Park, 700 Seneca St
Every Sunday, from July 9 through August 27, Seattle Parks & Recreation and Freeway Park Association present this free series, where attendees can listen to the raw sounds of electric blues or sway to some lively jazz in an urban oasis. Though the series is all-ages, there is also a beer garden available to audience members 21+. The first show of the month finds the Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio, led by one of the Northwest’s premier B-3 musicians, on August 6. The series winds down with Pearl Django on August 13, Lady A on August 20, and Big Road Blues on August 27. Full information at facebook.com/FreeBluesCoolJazzatFreewayPark.
