Jazz Port Townsend Performance Preview: Saturday Evening, July 31

One thing is for sure. Saturday night will be legendary in 2010. One look at the performers for these two sets, and you know you are in for something truly special.

The Saturday night show is the final Pavilion show of Jazz Port Townsend, and with energy and verve, it launches audience members into the Jazz in the Clubs in downtown and uptown Port Townsend.

Tickets for the Saturday afternoon show, as well as all other Jazz
Port Townsend
performances, are available online,
or by calling 800-746-1982.

Saturday, July 31
McCurdy
Pavilion |  7:30 pm |  $18/$28/$35

Room
for the Blues
     with special guest, Phil Wiggins

  • Jeff Clayton, alto sax
  • Bill Ramsay, baritone sax
  • Byron Stripling, trumpet
  • Wycliffe Gordon, trombone
  • Benny Green, piano
  • John Clayton, bass
  • Butch Miles, drums
  • Phil Wiggins, harmonica

The Heath Brothers

  • Jimmy Heath, tenor sax
  • Jeb Patton, piano
  • David Wong, bass
  • Tootie Heath, drums

Room For The Blues
Where to begin with this set? The Clayton Brothers are here, the legendary Butch Miles, Byron, Wycliffe, Benny, Bill – this is a "super-septet" if there ever was one. Each of these performers is known for their energy and virtuosity. Together, in one band, this is a special occasion for sure. However, Artistic Director John Clayton has kicked-it up even one notch higher, inviting blues harmonica legend Phil Wiggins to sit in as well.

We tried to find a recording or video that would give you a sense of what to expect. That is impossible, however, since this amazing group of players only does this here! But if Claytons are involved, we know that there will be hard-charging, swinging tunes, and so we've decided to share with you a snippet of a recent performance of the Claytons and the Scott Gwinnell Jazz Orchestra from the Detroit Jazz Festival. 

The Heath Brothers
We close the show with jazz royalty.For over 60 years, the legendary Heath Brothers have been synonymous with great jazz.

Tenor saxophonist, composer, and arranger  Jimmy Heath and drummer Albert “Tootie” Heath have more than a century in the jazz limelight to their credit. They have played and recorded with a near-endless list of jazz immortals and icons including Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone, Herbie Hancock, Wynton Marsalis, and many more.

We're honored to have them with us this year, and we can't think of a better way to close the mainstage portion of the Festival.

Top