One of Portland, Oregon’s best known jazz group is Trio Subtonic.  They’ve made their mark on the Northwest independent and jazz music scenes, crafting three albums worth of original compositions by the band members: on keys, Galen Clark; on bass, Bill Athens; and on drums, Russ Kleimer. On a quick zoom through Seattle (they were […]

Drummer Stanton Moore is one of the busiest drummers in New Orleans.  Everybody wants to work with him.  Likewise with the other members of his trio, David Torkanowsky (piano) and James Singleton (bass).  These three guys are among the most sought-after musicians in a city brimming with great players. So it was a true delight […]

In 2015 the ongoing KPLU School Of Jazz program expanded its opportunities for high school jazz bands by beginning to feature them in our series of live Studio Sessions from our Seattle studios. The first group is this sextet from the Mercer Island High School Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Mr. David Bentley.   […]

KPLU rang in the new year of 2015 with a studio session featuring some old friends of the station who are also some of Seattle’s finest jazz musicians—Pearl Django and Gail Pettis. Pearl Django has long been regarded as one of America’s finest gypsy jazz bands.  Gail is a two-time recipient of the Earshot Jazz […]

It sure was hard to pick just five, but here are the best live KPLU studio sessions of the year. Industrial Revelation This was the year for long-percolating Seattle jazz band Industrial Revelation. Nearly a decade after their first rehearsal together, Industrial Revelation was packing clubs full of young music fans, solidifying a sound blending modern […]

Track List: Old School Rivers Invitation Can’t Even Do Wrong Right Blues guitarist and vocalist Elvin Bishop recently stopped by the KPLU performance studios and, as is usual with an Elvin Bishop show, a good time was had by all. In the mid-1960’s Elvin was a founding member of the highly influential Paul Butterfield Blues […]

The group Omaha Diner is made up of four of the most gifted and adventurous musicians in jazz: drummer Bobby Previte, trumpeter Steven Bernstein, guitarist Charlie Hunter and saxophonist, Skerik. Along with the almost scary level of talent, the other thing that makes Omaha Diner unique is their musical repertoire.  They won’t even think about […]

The Marsalis family is The First Family Of Jazz with father Ellis and sons Branford, Wynton, Delfeayo and Jason. Jason, the youngest brother, has been making great music for years as a jazz drummer. Recently, though, he broadened his percussion palette by mastering the vibraphone.  We were pleased to host the newly-minted Jason Marsalis Vibes […]

Vocalist and pianist Karrin Allyson is a longtime friend and frequent studio session guest at KPLU.   This year, she joined us on Halloween and began her live session with an appropriate song, a jazz version of “Spooky.” Following that, she and her old buddy, jazz host Dick Stein, talked about life, music and such things. […]

    Although actor/singer/guitarist, Tom Wopat, is best known for his role as Luke Duke in the long-running television series, The Dukes Of Hazzard, his best artistic work was still ahead of him when that series ended.  Instead of seeking more television work, Wopat pursued his first love, music.  He’s recorded 10 albums in a […]