FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Mark R. Livingston
Director of Marketing & Communications
mlivingston@centrum.org
360.385.3102 - ext.130
206.851.0411 - mobile
Centrum Presents Jazz Port Townsend
Public Performances Feature World Premieres, Rising Stars and Jazz Masters
PORT TOWNSEND, WA – July 12, 2011 – Centrum’s 35th annual Jazz Port Townsend festival welcomes
Paquito D’Rivera, Stefon Harris, Gerald Clayton, Jeff Hamilton, Dee Daniels, and more than 30 other
iconic and emerging jazz artists in pavilion shows and intimate club performances throughout Port
Townsend. Led by Artistic Director John Clayton, the festival boasts a diverse lineup of concerts and
events, including the world premiere performance of a big band composition from NEA Jazz Master Bill
Holman, featuring nine-time Grammy winner and fellow NEA Jazz Master Paquito D’Rivera. In all, more
than 30 different concerts and events take place from July 28 through July 30 at McCurdy Pavilion on the
campus of Fort Worden State Park, and in club venues throughout Port Townsend.
In addition to mainstage concerts, festival performers will join other jazz artists in Port Townsend's
historic downtown area for intimate club performances on Thursday, July 28 through Saturday, July 30
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 28,
and 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday July 29 and 30. A full schedule of performances, as well as
directions and more is available at www.centrum.org/jazz.
For the fourth consecutive year, Jazz Port Townsend invites the public to Fort Worden on Friday, July 29
from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., for the “Free Friday Workshop Blowout,” 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 Fort Worden Commons. The
day also includes an opportunity to witness the first rehearsal of the Bill Holman NEA Jazz Masters world
premiere. A full schedule of workshops and events is available at www.centrum.org/jazz.
Tickets to all events, including a 3-day club pass, are available by phone at 800.746.1982, in person at
the Centrum Box Office, 223 Battery Way, Port Townsend, WA, Monday through Friday 12:30 p.m. 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 are admitted free.
Jazz Port Townsend is made possible, in part, through the generous support of the NEA Jazz Masters Live
program, Allstate, WESTAF, and the Welland Family. Media sponsorship is provided by KPLU 88.5.
MAINSTAGE PERFORMANCES AT McCURDY PAVILION
Public performances at McCurdy Pavilion begin on Friday, July 29 at 7:30 p.m., with vocalists Dee
Daniels and Charenée Wade, followed by the Jeff Hamilton Trio.
Dee Daniels returns to the Centrum mainstage in a showcase of her astonishing four-octave range; and
vocalist Charenée Wade, a veteran of the Montreaux Jazz Festival and the Ascona New Orleans Jazz
Festival, makes her debut at Jazz Port Townsend. Dee and Charenée are each joined by Jeff Clayton on
alto sax, pianist Benny Green, Christoph Luty on bass, and Clarence Acox on drums.
The Jeff Hamilton Trio is led by celebrated drummer Jeff Hamilton, with bassist Christoph Luty, and
Israeli born virtuoso pianist Tamir Hendelman. The trio has been recording and performing together
since 2000, and in May 2011 celebrated the release of their ninth album, Symbiosis.
On Saturday, July 30 at 1:30 p.m. Jazz Port Townsend features a matinee concert with the Gerald
Clayton Trio, tenor saxophonist Joel Frahm, vocalist Sunny Wilkinson, and a special performance from
the Centrum Faculty All-Star Big Band, directed by Bill Holman, and featuring soloist Paquito D’Rivera.
The Gerald Clayton Trio features the young pianist Gerald Clayton, a veteran of the Roy Hargrove
Quintet who at age 23 received his first Grammy nomination. Clayton is joined by bassist Joe Sanders
and drummer Quincy Davis. The trio is garnering international attention for their newest release, Bond:
The Paris Sessions. Joining the trio on the bill is New York tenor saxophonist Joel Frahm.
Sunny Wilkinson’s inspired vocals have been featured with the Count Basie Band, Milt Hinton, Clark
Terry, and others. Sunny is joined by pianist Randy Halberstadt, bassist Tom Wakeling, and drummer
Byron Vannoy.
The Centrum Faculty All-Star Big Band, directed by three-time Grammy winner Bill Holman, presents an
afternoon of big band favorites, and includes a world premiere composition from Holman, whose works
have been featured by such established big band leaders as Stan Kenton, Count Basie, Doc Severinsen,
and many others. The piece was commissioned as part of the National Endowment for the Arts Jazz
Masters Live program, and features the talents of Holman’s fellow NEA Jazz Master Paquito D’Rivera,
whose numerous awards and recordings include a national Medal for the Arts, and more than 30 solo
albums. In 2000, the Bill Holman Collection of scores and memorabilia became part of the Smithsonian
Institution's permanent collection in Washington, DC, and in 2008 Holman was awarded a spot on the
American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers Jazz Wall of Fame.
The performance also features a new big band composition by Grammy winning composer and Jazz Port
Townsend Artistic Director John Clayton. The piece was commissioned by Centrum to celebrate the life
and legacy of Centrum Founding Director Joseph Wheeler, who passed away in 2009.
"We are very excited to have been chosen to be part of this national celebration of NEA Jazz Masters,”
said John Clayton. “At Centrum, listening to and learning from established masters has long been part of
our workshops and festivals.”
Jazz Port Townsend continues on Saturday, July 30 at 7:30 p.m. with a performance featuring
celebrated vibraphonist Stefon Harris with the Gerald Clayton Trio; and an all-star ensemble, the “JPT
8-Piece Sextet.”
A three-time Grammy Nominee and Downbeat Critics Poll winner, Stefon Harris received his seventh
Jazz Journalists’ Mallet Instrumentalist of the Year award in 2011. He is joined by Gerald Clayton on
piano, bassist Joe Sanders, and drummer Quincy Davis.
The “JPT 8-Piece Sextet,” features saxophonist/clarinetist Paquito D’Rivera, tenor saxophonist Joel
Frahm, trumpeter Terell Stafford, trombonist Jiggs Whigham, pianist Benny Green, country-bop guitarist
Bruce Forman, Christoph Luty on bass, and 2011 Jazz Journalists’ Drummer of the Year Matt Wilson.
Originally conceived as a sextet, John Clayton and Jazz Port Townsend program manager Gregg Miller
couldn’t resist adding two more players to the powerhouse ensemble, and the 8-piece sextet was born.
JAZZ IN THE CLUBS
Beginning on Thursday, July 28 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 performances at the Public House, 1038 Water Street, with alto saxophonist Jeff Clayton,
trumpeter Jay Thomas, Dan Balmer on guitar, pianist Benny Green, bassist Christoph Luty, and drummer
Matt Wilson. The Upstage in Port Townsend, 923 Washington Street, will feature tenor saxophonist Joel
Frahm and baritone saxophonist Gary Smulyan, Bruce Forman on guitar, Tamir Hendelman on piano,
bassist Doug Miller, and Alvester Garnett on 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 29, beginning at 10 p.m., Jazz in the Clubs continues at the Public House with alto
saxophonist Jeff Clayton, tenor saxophonist Joel Frahm, Terell Stafford on trumpet, pianist Benny Green,
bassist Joe Sanders, and drummer Alvester Garnett. Port Townsend’s Upstage presents pianist George
Cables, bassist John Clayton, and drummer Matt Wilson; and the Castle Key, 651 Cleveland Street,
presents guitarist Bruce Forman, pianist John Hansen, bassist Chuck Deardorf, and Quincy Davis on
drums. The Rose Theater, 235 Taylor Street, features an evening with Gary Smulyan on the baritone
saxophone, trombonist Jiggs Whigham, pianist Gerald Clayton, Chuck Kistler on bass, and drummer
Clarence Acox.
Friday night in the clubs at The Undertown, 211 Taylor Street, features guitarist Dan Balmer, bassist
Doug Miller, and drummer Kelby MacNayr; and the Northwest Maritime Center features a performance
from Jazz Port Townsend Workshop Participant Combos. Friday night also includes a performance at the
Key City Playhouse, 1128 Lawrence Street, with pianist Dawn Clement, Tom Wakeling on bass, and
drummer Byron Vannoy.
On Saturday, July 30, beginning at 10 p.m., The Public House features tenor saxophonist Pete Christlieb
and baritone saxophonist Gary Smulyan, pianist Randy Halberstadt, Chuck Kistler on bass, and drummer
Greg Williamson. The Upstage features the trio of George Cables on piano, Chuck Deardorf on bass, and
drummer Alvester Garnett; and the Castle Key features an evening with guitarist Dan Balmer, Tamir
Hendelman on piano, bassist Tom Wakeling, and drummer Byron Vannoy. Port Townsend’s Key City
Playhouse will feature Jazz Port Townsend Vocal Workshop Participants, with John Hansen on piano,
bassist Doug Miller, and drummer Kelby MacNayr; and the Rose Theater will feature Mark Taylor on alto
sax, trumpeter Thomas Marriott, pianist Marc Seales, Paul Gabrielson on bass, and drummer Matt
Jorgensen.
Club performances on Saturday at the Northwest Maritime Center feature the big band sounds of the
Monterey Jazz Festival’s 2011 Next Generation Jazz Orchestra, and the BuJazzO Youth Jazz Orchestra both groups are making their first appearance at Jazz Port Townsend.
The 2011 Next Generation Jazz Orchestra, the internationally-renowned high school all-star big band, is
celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2011. The ensemble - which tours internationally and is sponsored by
the Monterey Jazz Festival, is dedicated to the study and performance of the most challenging big band
literature available.
The German youth jazz orchestra BuJazzO, or Bundesjazzorchester, under the leadership of famed
trombonist and Jazz Port Townsend faculty member Jiggs Whigham, sponsors qualified and talented
young jazz musicians in Germany. As an institution involved in the musical training of young people, it is
unique among youth jazz orchestras worldwide.
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 tickets must be reserved. Tickets to all events,
including a 3-day club pass, are available by phone at 800.746.1982, in person at the Centrum Box
Office, 223 Battery Way, Port Townsend, WA, Monday through Friday 12:30 p.m. 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 are admitted free. 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.
NEA Jazz Masters Live is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in association with Arts
Midwest that celebrates the living legends who have made an exception contribution to the
advancement of jazz.
JAZZ PORT TOWNSEND 2011 – AT A GLANCE
Friday, July 29
7:30 p.m. – McCurdy Pavilion
$35/$28/$18
 Vocal Mastery with Dee Daniels and Charenée Wade
 The Jeff Hamilton Trio
Saturday, July 30
1:30 p.m. – McCurdy Pavilion
$45/$31/$20
 The Gerald Clayton Trio with guest Joel Frahm
 Sunny Wilkinson and guests
 The Centrum Faculty All-Star Big Band, directed by Bill Holman
Saturday, July 30
7:30 p.m. – McCurdy Pavilion
$35/$28/$18
 Stefon Harris and the Gerald Clayton Trio
 “The JPT 8-Piece Sextet”
JAZZ IN THE CLUBS 2011
$25 3-Day Evening Club Pass
Visit www.centrum.org/jazz for schedule updates, directions, and more.
Thursday, July 28 – 8:00 p.m.
The Public House
Jeff Clayton – alto sax
Jay Thomas - trumpet
Dan Balmer - guitar
Benny Green - piano
Christoph Luty - bass
Matt Wilson - drums
The Upstage
Joel Frahm – tenor sax
Gary Smulyan – bari sax
Bruce Forman - guitar
Tamir Hendelman - piano
Doug Miller - bass
Alvester Garnett - drums
Northwest Maritime Center
Workshop Participant Combos
Friday, July 29
The Public House
Jeff Clayton – alto sax
Joel Frahm – tenor sax
Terell Stafford - trumpet
Benny Green - piano
Joe Sanders - bass
Alvester Garnett - drums
The Upstage
George Cables - piano
John Clayton - bass
Matt Wilson - drums
Castle Key
Bruce Forman - guitar
John Hansen - piano
Chuck Deardorf - bass
Quincy Davis - drums
The Rose Theater
Gary Smulyan – bari sax
Jiggs Whigham - trombone
Gerald Clayton - piano
Chuck Kistler - bass
Clarence Acox - drums
The Undertown
Dan Balmer - guitar
Doug Miller - bass
Kelby MacNayr - drums
Northwest Maritime Center
Workshop Participant Combos
Key City Playhouse
Jazz Port Townsend Vocal Workshop Participants, with
Dawn Clement - piano
Tom Wakeling - bass
Byron Vannoy - drums
Saturday, July 30
The Public House
Pete Christlieb – tenor sax
Gary Smulyan – bari sax
Randy Halberstadt - piano
Chuck Kistler - bass
Greg Williamson - drums
The Upstage
George Cables - piano
Chuck Deardorf - bass
Alvester Garnett - drums
Undertown
Mark Taylor – alto sax
Thomas Marriott – trumpet
Marc Seales – piano
Paul Gabrielson – bass
Matt Jorgensen - drums
Castle Key
Dan Balmer - guitar
Tamir Hendelman - piano
Tom Wakeling - bass
Byron Vannoy - drums
The Rose Theater
Jeff Clayton – alto sax
Jay Thomas - trumpet
Dawn Clement - piano
Joe Sanders - bass
Quincy Davis - drums
Key City Playhouse
Jazz Port Townsend Vocal Workshop Participants, with
John Hansen - piano
Doug Miller - bass
Kelby MacNayr - drums
Northwest Maritime Center
BUJAZZO Big Band, directed by Jiggs Whigham
Monterey Big Band, directed by Paul Contos
JAZZ PORT TOWNSEND’S FREE FRIDAY WORKSHOP BLOWOUT SCHEDULE
Friday, July 29 - 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
9:00 – 11:30
“The Creative Process #1” – This will be the first-ever rehearsal of two works
commissioned by Centrum for Jazz Port Townsend 2011. The first is a piece by NEA Jazz
Master Bill Holman, with Paquito D’Rivera as featured clarinet soloist. The second is by
Artistic Director John Clayton, written in honor of Centrum’s founding director, Joe
Wheeler. You’ll have the rare opportunity to witness notes on a page being transformed
into music for the first time. McCurdy Pavilion
9:30-10:45
“Nuance and Subtlety in the Art of Jazz Phrasing.” Vocalist Sunny Wilkinson will discuss
and demonstrate how a veteran singer coaxes the most out of a song.
Building 204 Rm. 20
“Bass Summit.” Chuck Deardorf, Christoph Luty and Joe Sanders. Master class and
discussion. Building 204 Rm. 10
10:30 – 11:45 “BuJazzO Performance.” Hear this big band of all-star jazz students from Germany as
they kick off their U.S. tour. Directed By Jiggs Whigham. Wheeler Theater
Noon – 1:00
Workshop Participant Big Band Performance, outside at the Commons.
Directed by Clarence Acox. The Commons at Fort Worden
1:15 - 2:30
“How to Listen Like a Musician.” Who is the drummer listening to? What kind of mood is
the trumpet player in? Gerald Clayton will help you “open your ears” and identify as
many details inside the music as possible. Wheeler Theater
“Saxophone Summit.” Jeff Clayton and Joel Frahm. Master class and discussion.
Schoolhouse North
1:30-4:00
“The Creative Process #2” This will be just the second rehearsal of two works
commissioned by Centrum for this year’s Jazz Port Townsend. The first is a piece by NEA
Jazz Master Bill Holman, with Paquito D’Rivera as featured clarinet soloist. The second is
by John Clayton, written in honor of Centrum’s founding director, Joe Wheeler. You’ll
have the rare opportunity to witness notes on a page being transformed into music for
the first time. Building 204 Rm. 10
2:45 – 4:00
“Next Generation Jazz Orchestra Performance.” This all-star big band of jazz students
under the auspices of the Monterey Jazz Festival performs as part of their West Coast
tour. Directed by Paul Contos. Wheeler Theater
“Jazz in Europe.” American trombonist Jiggs Whigham has spent much of his career
teaching in Germany’s leading music conservatories and leading professional bands. Dr.
Peter Ortmann of BuJazzO and the German Music Council is a leading figure in jazz
education in Europe. Artistic Director John Clayton lived and worked in Holland for
several years and continues to teach regularly throughout Europe. Together they’ll offer
insights not often available to American audiences into the state of jazz in Europe.
Schoolhouse N
“Drum Summit.” Matt Wilson, Alvester Garnett, Clarence Acox, Kelby MacNayr and
Byron Vannoy. Master class and discussion. Schoolhouse D
CENTRUM WORKSHOPS
Applications are still being accepted for weeklong workshops for Jazz Port Townsend, and 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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