Puget Sound
Traditional
Jazz Society
Vancouverite Arnt Arntzen is a guitarist, plectrum banjo player and singe who specializes in traditional Jazz
THE HOT LOVIN’ JAZZ BABIES is a high-powered swing ensemble based in Portland, Oregon featuring Doug Sammons and Dee Settlemier
Alex has been focusing on studying and performing early Jazz-he’s become a mainstay of dance organizations and festivals in the Pacific Northwest
Black Swan is an entertaining, artistic group that loves performing hot jazz, ragtime and old-time gospel with a distinctive, original flair.
JAZZ AROUND THE SOUND
Check out our events calendar for the best trad jazz and Dixieland bands playing on the West Coast, from Victoria, B.C. to California.
It is suggested that you check with the sponsoring organization if you find any scheduled event. Some websites may have not be updated to reflect cancellations or current status. Also check with our current Jazz Soundings newsletter for additional events and venues.
Read The Newsletter
Puget Sound Traditional Jazz Society has released our latest newsletter. Click on the image to download the latest PDF newsletter. You may also view our archive of past newsletters here
Support LOCAL Jazz
BECOME A MEMBER OF PUGET SOUND TRADITIONAL JAZZ SOCIETY
If you have a passion for jazz, please consider joining the Puget Sound Traditional Jazz Society (PSTJS). As a member.
LOCAL GIGS!!
RAY SKJELBRED
Feb. 5 with Cyd Smith and solo piano 6 to 8 at Whitt's End bar, 6510 Phinney Ave. N
April 4 with Jacob Zimmerman and Matt Weiner 3 to 5 at The Royal Room.
MATT WEINER & FRIENDS
Wednesdays, 7–10 p.m. @ The Pink Door, 1919 Post Alley, Seattle - 206-443-3241
JACOB ZIMMERMAN 3
Jacob Zimmerman, alto sax and clarinet; Chris Spencer, guitar; Matt Weiner, bass Every other Sunday, 8–10:30 p.m. Zig Zag Café, 1501 Western Ave Ste 202, Seattle 206-625-1146;
ALEX GUILBERT
Solo stride, blues, and ragtime piano
Second Thursday, 7:30 to 10 p.m. Jules Maes Saloon in Georgetown
Wednesday, January 21: Piano Starts Here: The Music of Spencer and Clarence Williams. Featuring solo piano by Alex, Ray Skjelbred, and Andrew Oliver. Royal Room, 5000 Rainier Ave. S, Seattle
stations featurING
traditional jazz.
Tune in and give them a listen, then let the station know that you appreciate their effort in airing this kind of music. If you know of any other stations with programs featuring vintage jazz, please let us know so we can add them to our listings. Happy listening.
The latest in Jazz News…
Robert “Bob” Rann, renowned tubaist and a foundational figure in the traditional jazz revival movement, passed away peacefully on August 1, 2025, at the age of 88.
Our inaugural show for the 2025–26 season features Matt Weiner’s Noonatics, a combination that debuted on our stage in March 2023 as a tip of the hat to the great New Orleans clarinetist Jimmie Noone.
Growing up, I was fortunate enough to receive a well-rounded education. My family and most of their friends were secular Jews. Where we lived, if your kid didn’t go to college, the whole neighborhood would find out about it …
The old standby, “this band needs no introduction ...” is an especially fitting way to present this January’s featured attraction. Co-founded by our president Dr. Terry Rogers…
I am pleased that Judy has asked me to do some writing for the Puget Sound Jazz Newsletter, and since I have just finished writing liner notes for a new piano CD where I consider jazz as a “tribal” experience…
The column below is from the Quad-City Times titled “Dough’s Q-C” Doug answers questions about collectibles. The Quad Cities includes Davenport, Iowa, Rock Island, Moline and East Moline, Ill.
This is one more in a series of biographies of great traditional jazz musicians. The series started with the March/ April 1991 issue and was developed by Rambler founding publisher and Board Member, the late Len Levine). Reprinted from the Spring 2012 Jazz Rambler.
Some people, those who are unfamiliar with Our Kind of Music, will make the totally erroneous statement that “It all sounds alike.” Nothing could be further from the truth…
Trumpeter, Lu Watters was born in Santa Cruz, California, on December 19, 1911, and began playing the trumpet/cornet at a very early age.
Recently, jazz pianist Ray Skjelbred was listening to the 1941 recording of “The Last Time I Saw Chicago” by The Three Deuces, with clarinetist Pee Wee Russell, pianist Joe Sullivan and drummer Zutty Singleton
In the late 70’s my wife, Mavis and I were anticipating retirement, with a paid mortgage and the kids gone; we decided to go on a vacation in Hawaii
As some of you know - Erik was a charter member of PSTJS and was at the first concert in 1975.
I was first introduced to Gaye Anderson and her New Orleans Creole Restaurant the Friday evening of Mardi Gras weekend…
Anyone who pays attention to Tom Bartlett’s playing stance with the Yerba Buena Stompers may notice that it resembles Turk Murphy’s
Through the long existence of our PSTJS, there have been many individuals who have done more than their share to keep the organization going.
Nestled in the woods of Edgewood, Washington, is a haven where music comes alive and is preserved for generations. David Lange Studios, stocked with top quality equipment and impeccably designed to capture true sound…
Ray Skjelbred plays a rumbling bass line on a slow blues, head turned away from the piano and eyes shut tightly in concentration. He is inhabiting the soul of Chicago pianist Art Hodes.
This is one more in a series of biographies of great traditional jazz musicians. The series started with the March/April 1991 issue and was developed by Rambler founding publisher and Board Member, the late Len Levine
A fine example of how the saying “Less Is More” can actually be true, for the “Seattle Jazz Party” the weekend of March 16-18 at the Holiday Inn at Sea-Tac airport.
About 25 years ago, the septet known as the “Evergreen Classic Jazz Band” was born under the leadership of Tom Jacobus.
An evening was not complete without a visit to Nick’s in the Village and an enlightening conversation with Eddie Condon. During one of these sessions I asked him about how he got Fats Waller to Carnegie Hall.
A special pre-Christmas treat is in store for our members and guests when an all-star lineup of Northwest musicians under the leadership of pianist Ray Skjelbred graces the stage at the Ballard Elks club Sunday, December 19.
In 1956, Willis Conover interviewed Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich for Voice of America Radio. Krupa told Conover, “...There are three giants in the drum world...Buddy Rich, Ray Bauduc and Ray McKinley.”
The Best of the Best
NORTHWEST TRADITIONAL JAZZ BANDS
Proceeds benefit the Youth Scholarship Fund of the Puget Sound Traditional Jazz Society.

