John Coltrane Live in Seattle!

Well maybe not the John Coltrane. But a fantastic show nonetheless!

I traveled up to the Rainy City from Portland on Saturday. Among other adventures, I heard a couple fantastic sets of jazz at Tula's. Below is a play by play of the music, and a short food review. Enjoy!

Matt Jorgenson is a slamming drummer I've had a chance to meet on multiple occasions. We first met at Centrum Jazz Camp in Port Townsend Washington. I remember being thrilled by his ability to play softly, particularly behind bass solos. Last night I was reminded of many other great highlights of his musicianship. Matt has lived in Seattle for the last decade, and has a great album out Tattooed by Passion. Among other great Seattleites (and Portland bass fave Dave Captein!), the record features Thomas Marriott on trumpet. Mr. Marriott joined Matt and the band last night for the second annual John Coltrane Birthday Celebration at Tula's. Alexey Nikolaev (ts/ss), Eric Verlinde (p), and Phil Sparks (b) rounded out the group to resurrect the Heavyweight Champion's masterpieces.

Lost in the parking plunder, we stumbled in near the end of (what I hope was) the first tune, India. I only caught a moment of it, but heard enough to know I was in for a beautiful evening. Next on the menu was Naima. It's always a treat to hear that song. It's the only tune I've ever requested with a tip (Dan Gaynor did it serious justice playing solo piano at the Brasserie in Portland). Alexey played the melody with serious conviction, channeling Trane with branded growls in the upper register. 

Equinox followed, which was a surprise. I was sure they'd jump into a burning tune after the ballad faded down. My expectations were met with a double time feel over Thomas' solo. I love watching musicians toy with the idea of double time. It reminds me of my youth; my brothers and I often turned a usual walk into a race. Matt's ride implies it with a skip, Phil answers, and with smiles all around they burn tread into Thomas' first chorus.

Eric Verlinde shined on the third tune, The Promise. I got a chance to speak with him during the break. He mentioned trying to get deep into McCoy Tyner for the gig. Successful to my ears; his left hand was stabbing the deep modal A sections while his right hand tore up the keys with diminished patterns, lines, and clever motifs. Matt Jorgenson awed the crowd into a roar with a raucous solo. He started out on his toms and upwards from there. Early in our playing days, one of my best childhood friends (and successful Portland drummer) John Huteson once exclaimed how much he loved Elvin's triplet ideas. I've always tried to pay attention ever since. Matt's solo was such a fantastic reminder of what a great and influential drummer Elvin was. I'm not usually a fan of sitting behind the drums, but at that moment I praised Reservation Jesus. Jazz Jesus?

Lazy Bird was next. But played lightning fast, there was nothing lazy about it. The melody was a bit muddled by the speed, but I eventually got it. Alexey's tenor solo was insane. He's a great player who has been on my radar since I saw him play up in Port Townsend years ago. He was in the big band opposite Mark Taylor (another ferocious Seattle saxophonist, and extraordinary educator). Nikolaev's technical facility on the horn is inspiring. Very fast fingers with great lines. The second phrase of the melody, beginning on the 5th bar, was an oft repeated solo idea by Alexey and the others. It was a pleasant reminder of a Played that fast, it reminded me of a superhero entering the scene (an illusion I made in my last review). I'm thinking Captain America. I need to figure out why I keep thinking of Marvel characters!

Dex and I hanging in the loo.

The second set started with a bowed solo by Phil Sparks. He did things I've never heard on the bass. Creating themes by alternating harmonics with deep bass swells, he drew the crowd into a meditative silence. His solo eventually morphed into the intro for Part 2 of A Love Supreme; Resolution. Matt quietly cued the band in, and Alexey tore into the melody with spiritual conviction. Unfortunately the tune had to be stopped halfway into Eric Verlinde's solo. A man sitting at the bar had passed out. The band members, one by one, realized what had happened. Thomas made an announcement, and the set was cut short. From what I could tell, the guy fell into a diabetic coma. Hyperglycemia and dehydration (dude should not have been drinking) plus killing (um..) jazz sent this dude knocking on heaven's door. Luckily no one was home up top, and a nurse in the audience revived him with some orange juice. The paramedics came, and eventually wheeled him out. I talked with Eric during the unexpected intermission, and remember him saying he knows exactly what chord he stopped on (an Ab).

With a strong re-entry, and Eric's best Ab McCoy, the band kicked the set back into action. Part 3, Pursuance, began with a snare friendly drum solo by Matt. I recently started learning how to play the drums. With a fresh understanding of the instrument, when Jorgenson and other great drummers bring so much life into the snare drum, I am simply inspired. Verlinde shone brightly on this uptempo tune. Improvising with the melody again, specifically the "so te do, do me fa" idea, makes me revisit the idea that my jazz mentors pound into my head: "Always start with the melody". 

The set closed out with Giant Steps. Alexey left it all on the paint, brilliantly navigating Trane's difficult changes. I was pleased to hear there would be a third set, but was not pleased that I had to leave. Happy that I got to meet and hear such brilliant musicians, I left.

Tula's serves up "Mediterranean/American" food. Similar to Jimmy Mak's here in Portland, but with more fish options. I got the Pacific Northwest Seafood Stew: Tiger Prawns, Scallops, and Fin Fish in a Saffron-Garlic cream sauce. I was really happy about the meal. The Saffron shone through, and the garlic didn't overpower. The stew was topped with micro greens, sprouts perhaps, that gave it an earthy balance. I wish the portion was a little larger (a typical American complaint of mine). The service could have been better. It seemed like they were understaffed during the first set, but managed to catch up during the aforementioned diabetic attack. I paired my fishy feast with a Basil Hayden bourbon. First on the rocks, then up in a snifter. I will definitely be returning.