FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
John A. MacElwee
Executive Director
jmacelwee@centrum.org
(360) 385-3102 ext. 111
Centrum Presents Jazz Port Townsend 2012, July 26 to 28
Public Performances Feature Artist Debuts and Academy Award winner Johnny Mandel
PORT TOWNSEND, WA – July 11, 2012 – The longest continuous-running jazz festival in Washington
State returns as Centrum presents Jazz Port Townsend 2012 under the artistic direction of John Clayton.
The festival is highlighted the music of Academy Award-winner Johnny Mandel, conducted by the
composer; debuts by former Count Basie vocalist Mary Stallings, pianists Eric Reed and Dina DeRose,
and saxophonist Walter Smith III; as well as an instrumental duo paring of drummers Matt Wilson and
Jeff Hamilton, guitarists Graham Dechter and Bruce Forman, and trombonists Jiggs Whigham and
Wycliffe Gordon. In all, more than 30 different concerts and events take place from July 26 through July
28 at McCurdy Pavilion on the campus of Fort Worden State Park, and in club venues throughout Port
Townsend.
In addition to three mainstage concerts at the Pavilion, festival performers will be featured in Port
Townsend's historic downtown area for intimate club performances on Thursday, July 26 through
Saturday, July 28 at The Public House, Key City Playhouse, The Upstage, The Rose Theater, Undertown,
Castle Key, and The Northwest Maritime Center. Jazz in the Clubs performances begin at 8 p.m. on
Thursday, July 26, and 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday July 27 and 28. A full schedule of performances as
well as directions is available at www.centrum.org/jazz.
For the fifth consecutive year, Jazz Port Townsend invites the public to Fort Worden on Friday, July 27
from 10:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., for the “The Free Friday Workshop Blow-out,” an insider’s look at Jazz
Port Townsend workshops and master classes, including a free noontime performance of the Jazz Port
Townsend Participant Big Band, led by Clarence Acox, on the green of the Nora Porter Commons. The
day also includes a preview screening of The Girls in the Band, which will be featured at the Port
Townsend Film Festival in September, and a discussion about women in jazz led by drummer Sherrie
Maricle who appears in the film. A full schedule of workshops and events is available at
www.centrum.org/jazz Tickets to all events, including specially-priced concert / club packages, are
available by phone at 800.746.1982, in person at the Centrum Box Office, 223 Battery Way, Port
Townsend, Monday through Friday, noon to 4 p.m., or through the web at www.centrum.org. Tickets
are also available at the venue box office, one hour prior to show time. Patrons under 18 are admitted
free but must have a ticket. A Discover Pass is not required for entrance into the Park.
Major support for Jazz Port Townsend is made possible by James and Nelly Tretter. Additional support is
provided by the National Endowment for the Arts, the Washington State Arts Commission, Allstate, the
Welland Family, and Harris, Mericle and Wakayama, Attorneys. Media sponsorship is provided by KPLU
88.5 FM.
Centrum Present Jazz Port Townsend 2012 page 2
MAINSTAGE PERFORMANCES AT McCURDY PAVILION
Public performances at Richard F. McCurdy Pavilion begin on Friday, July 27 at 7:30 p.m., with the Port
Townsend debut of The Eric Reed Trio featuring pianist Reed with bassist Mike Gurrola and drummer
Kevin Kanner, with special guest Walter Smith III on tenor saxophone. Reed, who had a long tenure with
Wynton Marsalis’ group, released The Baddest Monk in 2011, his ninth as a leader, which has been
lauded by Thelonious Monk’s son, T.S. Monk, as a definitive recording. A native of Houston, Smith is an
active performer on the New York scene and performs regularly with Terrence Blanchard and Christian
McBride in addition to leading his own group. His latest recording, III, was released in 2010.
On the second half of the program is a unique paring of duos selected by Artistic Director John Clayton.
The expatriate American trombonist Jiggs Whigham, now living in Germany, is paired with Festival
favorite and former Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra trombonist Wycliffe Gordon for “J.J. and Kai,” a
musical salute to the famous trombone duo of J.J. Johnson and Kai Winding. The young guitarist Graham
Dechter, who joined the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra at the age of 19, is paired with veteran bop
guitarist Bruce Forman for “Six String Masters.” Finally, Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra co-leader Jeff
Hamilton squares off with Grammy-nominated drummer Matt Wilson for “Drummage.” All three duos
will be supported by pianist Tamir Hendleman, bassist Chuck Deardorf and drummer Rodney Green.
On Saturday, July 28 at 1:30 p.m, Jazz Port Townsend features a matinee concert with the Benny Green
Trio with special guest baritone saxophonist Gary Smulyan; the debut of pianist/vocalist Dena DeRose
with her trio; and concludes with The Shadow of Your Smile: The Music of Johnny Mandel, with the
composer conducting the Centrum Faculty All Star Big Band.
Green, once a prodigy who was championed by Oscar Peterson, and now one of the world’s leading
pianists and a regular performer at the Festival, performs music from his newest recording Source. He is
joined by bassist Ben Wolfe, and drummer Rodney Green (no relation.) Baritone saxophonist Gary
Smulyan, named “Top Baritone Saxophonist” by the 2011 Downbeat Reader’s Poll, will be a featured
guest performer.
Dina DeRose makes her Centrum debut as both a pianist and a singer. She is currently Director of the
Jazz Vocal Program at the University of Music and Dramatic Arts in Graz, Austria, and, in addition to her
own trio featuring bassist Martin Wind and drummer Matt Wilson who join her for this program, has
performed with Ray Brown and Clark Terry.
The final set of the afternoon will feature the Centrum Faculty All Star Big Band performing a program
entitled The Shadow of Your Smile: The Music of Johnny Mandel, referencing the 1965 Academy Awardwinning song by the composer from the film The Sandpiper. Among the other well-known songs of
Mandel include “Emily” from The Americanization of Emily and “Suicide is Painless,” popularly known as
the theme from the film and television show M.A.S.H.
The concluding pavilion performance of Jazz Port Townsend on Saturday, July 28 at 7:30 PM opens with
the Festival debut of vocalist Mary Stallings, whose career in the early sixties included performances
with Cal Tjader and Dizzy Gillespie. She was the featured vocalist with the Count Basie Band from 1969
to 1972. Taking time off to raise a family, she returned to performing in the late 1980s. She will be
joined by The Eric Reed Trio who accompanied Stallings on her latest, critically acclaimed recording
Don’t Look Back.
The final set features the Graham Dechter Quartet which spotlights the guitarist, now in his midtwenties, with his colleagues and mentors from the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra who appeared on
Centrum Present Jazz Port Townsend 2012 page 3
his first album Right on Time – pianist Tamir Hendelman, bassist John Clayton, and drummer Jeff
Hamilton. The Quartet will be joined by festival guests including alto saxophonist Jeff Clayton, tenor
saxophonist Walter Smith III, baritone saxophonist Gary Smulyan, trumpeter Terell Stafford, and
trombonist Jiggs Whigham.
JAZZ IN THE CLUBS
Beginning on Thursday, July 26 at 8 p.m., Jazz Port Townsend heads downtown for the popular Jazz in
the Clubs series, featuring intimate performances in clubs and venues throughout Port Townsend. The
series features a performance at The Public House, 1038 Water Street, with alto saxophonist Jeff
Clayton, trumpeter Terell Stafford, trombonist Wycliffe Gordon, pianist Benny Green, bassist Ben Wolfe,
and drummer Rodney Green. The Upstage in Port Townsend, 923 Washington Street, will feature the
trio of Tamir Hendelman, piano; Martin Wind, bass; and Matt Wilson, drums. The Northwest Maritime
Center, 431 Water Street, will feature Jazz Port Townsend workshop participant combos. All Thursday
performances begin at 8 p.m.
On Friday, July 27, beginning at 10 p.m., Jazz in the Clubs continues at The Public House with alto
saxophonist Jeff Clayton, guitarist Bruce Forman, pianist Benny Green, bassist Mike Gurrola, and
drummer Rodney Green. At Port Townsend’s Upstage, pianist George Cables plays in a duo for the first
set with trumpeter Terell Stafford, and then performs with bassist John Clayton and drummer Jeff
Hamilton for the second set. Castle Key, 651 Cleveland Street, features baritone saxophonist Gary
Smulyan who is joined by Jay Thomas, performing on both trumpet and tenor saxophone, pianist Randy
Halberstadt, bassist Ben Wolfe, and drummer Sherrie Mericle. The Rose Theater, 235 Taylor Street,
features an evening with vocalist Sachal Vasandani who is joined by Walter Smith III, tenor saxophone;
Eric Reed, piano; Martin Wind, bass; and drummer Gary Hobbs.
Friday night at the clubs also includes Undertown, 211 Taylor Street, where guitarist Graham Dechter,
pianist/ vocalist Dena DeRose, bassist Chuck Deardorf and drummer Byron Vannoy will perform. The
Northwest Maritime Center features performances from Jazz Port Townsend workshop participant
combos. At the Key City Playhouse, 419 Washington Street, Workshop vocal participants are featured
in addition to a set with vocalist Mary Stallings, accompanied by a trio comprised of Dawn Clement,
piano; Jon Hamar, bass; and Kelby MacNayr, drums.
On Saturday, July 28, beginning at 10 p.m., The Public House features trumpeter and tenor saxophonist
Jay Thomas, baritone saxophonist Gary Smulyan, and trombonist Jiggs Whigham with Randy
Halberstadt, piano; Martin Wind; bass; and Gary Hobbs, drums. The Upstage features the trio of George
Cables on piano, Chuck Deardorf on bass, and drummer Matt Wilson; and Castle Key features an
evening with a trio composed of pianist Eric Reed, bassist Ben Wolfe, and drummer Rodney Green.
At The Rose Theatre, a quartet is featured including pianist Tamir Hendelman, guitarist Bruce Forman,
bassist Mike Gurrola, and drummer Gary Hobbs, while Undertown presents a trio comprised of Randy
Halberstadt, piano; Jon Hamar, bass; and Kelby MacNayr, drums.
Jazz Participant vocalists again perform at The Key City Playhouse, with a set featuring vocalist Sachal
Vasandani, pianist/vocalist Dena DeRose, bassist Laura Welland, and drummer Byron Vanoy. Jazz
workshop participant combos perform at the Northwest Maritime Center.
The Key City Playhouse and the Northwest Maritime Center are ALL-AGES venues, and free to the
public. The Rose Theater is ALL-AGES as well but requires an evening club pass which is $25. Other
venues are for adults 21 and older.
Centrum Present Jazz Port Townsend 2012 page 4
Tickets to all Jazz Port Townsend events, including specially priced packages that include pavilion tickets
and club passes, are available by phone at 800.746.1982, in person at the Centrum Box Office, 223
Battery Way, Port Townsend, Monday through Friday, noon to 4 p.m., or on the web at
www.centrum.org. Tickets are also available at the venue box office, one hour prior to show time.
Patrons under 18, for the Pavilion events, are admitted free but everyone must have a ticket. For
hearing impaired, vision, or mobility issues, please call Centrum at 360.385.3102, ext. 110, for
assistance. All Thursday night performances for Jazz in the Clubs begin at 8 p.m., and all Friday and Saturday
performances begin at 10 p.m. Visit www.centrum.org/jazz for schedule updates, directions, and more.
Editor: A listing of Performance Follows:
For detailed biographies of all artists as well as links to photos, please reference the 2012 Summer
Media Guide on the Media & Press page of our website.
Centrum Present Jazz Port Townsend 2012 page 5
Centrum presents
JAZZ PORT TOWNSEND 2012
John Clayton, Artistic Director
ALL-FESTIVAL PACKAGE (includes clubs)
$128/$98/$77
MAINSTAGE 3-CONCERT PACKAGE
$90/$60/$39
Friday, July 2, 7:30 PM
McCurdy Pavilion, Fort Worden State Park
$38/$29/$19
“The Eric Reed Trio with special guest Walter Smith III”
Eric Reed, piano; Mike Gurrola, bass; Kevin Kanner, drums; Walter Smith III, tenor sax
“Dynamic Duos”
“A Tribute to JJ & Kai” featuring Wycliffe Gordon & Jiggs Whigham (trombones)
“Six String Masters” with Bruce Forman & Graham Dechter (guitars)
“Drummage” with Jeff Hamilton & Matt Wilson (drums)
With Tamir Hendelman, piano; Chuck Deardorf, bass; Rodney Green, drums
Saturday, July 28, 1:30 PM
McCurdy Pavilion, Fort Worden State Park
$47/$34/$22
Bennie Green Trio with special guest Gary Smulyan
Benny Green, piano; Ben Wolfe, bass; Rodney Green, drums; Gary Smulyan, baritone saxophone;
Introducing Dena DeRose
Dena DeRose, piano and vocals; Martin Wind, bass; Matt Wilson, drums
The Shadow of Your Smile: The Music of Johnny Mandel
Centrum Faculty All-Star Big Band directed by NEA Jazz Master Johnny Mandel
Saturday, July 38, 7:30 PM
McCurdy Pavilion, Fort Worden State Park
$38/$29/$19
Mary Stallings with The Eric Reed Trio
Mary Stallings, vocals; Eric Reed, piano; Mike Gurrola, bass; Kevin Kanner, drums
Graham Dechter Quartet with Guests
Graham Dechter, guitar; Tamir Hendelman, piano; John Clayton, bass; Jeff Hamilton, drums with
Jeff Clayton, alto saxophone; Walter Smith III, tenor saxophone; Gary Smulyan, baritone saxophone;
Terell Stafford, trumpet; Jiggs Whigham, trombone
Centrum Present Jazz Port Townsend 2012 page 6
JAZZ IN THE CLUBS 2012
$25 per-Evening Club Pass
Visit www.centrum.org/jazz for schedule updates, directions, and more.
Thursday, July 26 – 8:00 p.m.
The Public House, 1038 Water Street, PT
Jeff Clayton, alto saxophone
Terell Stafford, trumpet
Wycliffe Gordon, trombone
Benny Green, piano
Ben Wolfe, bass
Rodney Green, drums
The Upstage, 923 Washington Street, PT
Tamir Hendelman, piano
Martin Wind, bass
Matt Wilson, drums
Northwest Maritime Center, 431 Water Street, PT
Workshop Participant Combos
Friday, July 27 – 10:00 p.m.
The Public House, 1038 Water Street, PT
Jeff Clayton, alto saxophone
Bruce Forman, guitar
Benny Green, piano
Mike Gurrola, bass
Rodney Green, drums
The Upstage, 923 Washington Street, PT
Set 1
George Cables, piano
Terell Stafford, trumpet
Set 2
George Cables, piano
John Clayton, bass
Jeff Hamilton, drums
Castle Key, 651 Cleveland Street, PT
Gary Smulyan, baritone saxophone
Jay Thomas, trumpet and tenor saxophone
Randy Halberstadt, piano
Ben Wolfe, bass
Sherrie Maricle, drums
Centrum Present Jazz Port Townsend 2012 page 7
The Rose Theater, 235 Taylor Street, PT
(all ages venue / Club pass required)
Sachal Vasandani, vocal
Walter Smith III, tenor saxophone
Eric Reed, piano
Martin Wind, bass
Gary Hobbs, drums
Undertown, 211 Taylor Street, PT
Graham Dechter, guitar
Dena DeRose, piano/vocal
Chuck Deardorf, bass
Byron Vannoy, drums
Northwest Maritime Center, 431 Water Street, PT
(all ages / free venue)
Workshop Participant Combos
Key City Playhouse, 419 Washington Street, PT
(all ages / free venue)
Jazz Port Townsend Vocal Workshop Participants, with
Mary Stallings, vocal
Dawn Clement, piano
Jon Hamar, bass
Kelby MacNayr, drums
Saturday, July 30, 10:00 PM
The Public House, 1038 Water Street, PT
Jay Thomas, trumpet and tenor saxophone
Gary Smulyan, baritone saxophone
Jiggs Whigham, trombone
Benny Green, piano
Martin Wind, bass
Kevin Kanner, drums
The Upstage, 923 Washington Street, PT
George Cables, piano
Chuck Deardorf, bass
Matt Wilson, drums
Undertown, 211 Taylor Street, PT
Randy Halberstadt, piano
Jon Hamar, bass
Kelby MacNayr, drums
Castle Key, 651 Cleveland Street, PT
Eric Reed, piano
Ben Wolfe, bass
Rodney Green, drums
Centrum Present Jazz Port Townsend 2012 page 8
The Rose Theater, 235 Taylor Street, PT
Tamir Hendelman, piano
Bruce Forman, guitar
Mike Gurrola, bass
Gary Hobbs, drums
Key City Playhouse, 419 Washington Street, PT
(all ages / free venue)
Jazz Port Townsend Vocal Workshop Participants with
Sachal Vasandani, vocal
Dena DeRose, piano/vocal
Laura Welland, bass
Byron Vannoy, drums
Northwest Maritime Center, 431 Water Street, PT
(all ages / free venue)
Workshop Participant Combos
Centrum Present Jazz Port Townsend 2012 page 9
Jazz Port Townsend 5th Annual “Free Friday Workshop Blow-out” Schedule
Friday, July 27, Fort Worden State Park, Port Townsend
(Note: the following are workshops and clinics, not performances, and are offered without charge)
10:30am – 11:45am

"Wow, It Is So Much Fun To Play With You!" Drummer Matt Wilson leads a fun gathering to
play some tunes and share ideas about how offering and receiving focus, awareness,
compassion and gratitude can elevate the spirit of your fellow musicians Wheeler Theater

“Saxophone Summit” with Jeff Clayton, Walter Smith III, Gary Smulyan and Jay Thomas.
Master class and discussion. Building 204 #10

“Understanding Jazz” The perfect introduction if you’re relatively new to jazz, or if you just
want to expand your knowledge of the art form, led by Eric Reed. Schoolhouse #D
12 Noon – 1:00 pm
Jazz Port Townsend Participant Big Band Performance, led by Clarence Acox, outside on the
Nora Porter Commons. Food and beverages are available for purchase.
1:15 pm – 3:15 pm

“The Girls in The Band” A sneak-preview screening of the feature-length documentary film,
which will be included in this year’s Port Townsend Film Festival Sept. 21 and 22. The film
highlights many of the outstanding and often under-recognized women in jazz throughout
its history. The film is followed by a discussion led by faculty artist and drummer Sherrie
Maricle, who appears in the film. Wheeler Theater
2:00 pm – 3:15 pm
 "Playing With the WHOLE Band: Getting Beyond Rhythm Section + Horns." Ben Wolfe talks
about how a group of musicians becomes a cohesive musical ensemble. Building 204 #10.

“Trombone Summit.” Wycliffe Gordon, Jiggs Whigham, David Marriott Jr. and Dan Marcus.
Master class and discussion. Schoolhouse, Room D
3:30 pm – 4:45pm
 "The Hippest and Coolest Jazz Records EVER” Blue Note Records trumpet-saxophone quintet
recordings of Hank Mobley, Lee Morgan, Jackie McLean, Horace Silver, Dexter Gordon,
Freddie Hubbard, Joe Henderson, Wayne Shorter, Art Blakey and more. Led by Benny Green.
Building 204 #10

"Singing is Something for Everyone" Singer/pianist Dena DeRose leads a workshop to help
you learn more about yourself as a musician, your instrument, and the music! Building 204
#20

“A Conversation with Johnny Mandel” Artistic Director John Clayton hosts a conversation
with NEA Jazz Master Johnny Mandel about his remarkable 70-year career in music.
Wheeler Theater
Centrum Present Jazz Port Townsend 2012 page 10
CENTRUM WORKSHOPS
Applications are still being accepted for the weeklong workshop for the Port Townsend Acoustic Blues
Festival. For more information, or to register for a workshop, please call Centrum at 800.733.3608, or
360.385.3102, or visit www.centrum.org.
PORT TOWNSEND
The Victorian seaport community of Port Townsend, WA, is home to Centrum, and is easily accessible by
highway or ferry service. Washington State Ferries operate between Port Townsend and Coupeville, WA
(Whidbey Island) daily. In addition, Seattle residents can travel by ferry from the downtown terminal to
Bainbridge Island and visit Port Townsend via the Hood Canal Bridge, or take the ferry from Mukilteo in
North Seattle to Winslow. A full schedule of ferry options is available on the Washington State
Department of Transportation website at www.wsdot.com/ferries/schedule/. Chartered flights into
nearby Port Ludlow are available via Kenmore Air – more info is available at www.kenmoreair.com.
Centrum, in partnership with Fort Worden State Park, is a gathering place for artists and creative
thinkers from all cultures, and in all phases of their development; for students of all ages and
backgrounds; and for audiences seeking extraordinary cultural enrichment. Centrum promotes creative
experiences that change lives.
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