Ray Skjelbred Septet Plays a pre-Christmas Concert
AUTHOR: By Rod Belcher
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.
You might call the group the “Ray Skjelbred Septet,” but it’s really an augmented aggregation enlarged from the quartet Ray calls “The First Thursday Band.” The latter-named four-piece combo performs at Pioneer Square’s New Orleans Café on the first Thursday of every month.
If you’re confused by this nomenclature the important thing is that the players, veteran top-drawer jazzers all, have been crossing paths (and playdates) for many years and are of the same mind in turning out traditional and mainstream jazz.
Blending perfectly with Ray’s hard-driving but still melodic piano base, the sidemen are Steve Wright (cornet & reeds); Jim Armstrong, the talented trombonist who drives down I-5 from White Rock, BC, especially for this date; Paul Woltz, reed wizard extraordinaire; Dave Brown (string bass); Jake Powel (banjo & guitar) and Mike Daugherty (drums).
We’ve heard all of them playing with various other groups and at festivals for a couple of decades or more and all have enthusiastic followers, both within and without our jazz society membership
WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 19, 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m
WHERE: Ballard Elks, 6411 Seaview Ave. NW, Seattle
ADMISSION: Members of PSTJS $10 - Non-member guests $13
FURTHER INFO: Carol Rippey - 425-776-5072
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Website:www.pstjs.org
Enjoy the view and the dance floor. Coffee, snacks, beverages available.
