2018 Jazz Port Townsend public mainstage performances kick off on Friday, July 27 with a double set of music curated by Grammy-winning Artistic Director John Clayton. Grab dinner in Port Townsend beforehand, and then make a night of it at Fort Worden!
Jazz Port Townsend Friday Night
Friday July 27, 2018, 7:30pm
McCurdy Pavilion
Tickets: $48, $38, $28
May I Introduce…
- Dave Stryker, guitar
- Justin Kauflin, piano
- Katie Thiroux, bass
Brother Lee: A Tribute to Lee Morgan
featuring Terell Stafford Quintet
- Tim Warfield, tenor sax
- Terell Stafford, trumpet
- Dawn Clement, piano
- John Clayton, bass
- Billy Williams, drums
DAVE STRYKER – GUITAR
Whether you’ve heard guitarist Dave Stryker fronting his own group (with 28 CD’s as a leader to date), or as a featured sideman with, Stanley Turrentine and Jack McDuff, you know why Gary Giddins in the Village Voice calls him “one of the most distinctive guitarists to come along in recent years.” Hot House magazine awarded him Best Guitarist Fans Decision for 2017. He was recently voted once again as one of the top Jazz Guitarists in the 2017 Downbeat Critics and Readers Polls. His most recent CD “Strykin’ Ahead” reached #3 for and has been in the Top 20 for 20 weeks on the JazzWeek Radio chart, and was picked as one of the top CD’s of 2017 by Downbeat.
Stryker grew up in Omaha, Nebraska, moved to New York City in 1980, and joined organist Jack McDuff’s group (1984-85). From 1986 to 1995, Stryker played with tenor saxophonist Stanley Turrentine. He has also performed with Freddie Hubbard, James Moody, Dizzy Gillespie, Jimmy Smith, Dr. Lonnie Smith, and many others. Dave is the Adjunct Professor of Jazz guitar at Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University, and at the John J. Cali School of Music at Montclair State University. He is also passing along his experience by teaching at The Aebersold Summer Jazz Workshop, and The Litchfield Jazz Camp. His book “Dave Stryker’s Jazz Guitar Improvisation Method” (Mel Bay Publishing) is available on his website at www.davestryker.com.
JUSTIN KAUFLIN – PIANO
Born in Silver Spring, MD, Justin Kauflin began music at age 4 with Suzuki violin, adding piano a few years later. By age 6, he was performing professionally. However, he also endured numerous trials, particularly losing total vision from exudative retinopathy by age 11. He adjusted by learning 5 grades of Braille, cane mobility and, after a decade of classical violin and piano, switched to jazz piano in high school at the Governor’s School for Performing Arts studying with Liz Barnes and Old Dominion University’s John Toomey. He attended the Vail Jazz Workshop, Betty Carter’s Jazz Ahead Residency, and received top honors in jazz festivals across the U.S. He began performing jazz professionally at age 15, most notably with the Jae Sinnett Trio.
In 2004, Justin graduated at the top of both classes alongside his sighted peers at Salem High and the Governor’s School, receiving a Presidential scholarship to attend William Paterson University in New Jersey. At WPU, he was taken under the wings of legendary trumpeter, Clark Terry and was a member in the Clark Terry Ensemble. He also had the tremendous privilege of learning from his hero, the late Mulgrew Miller, as well as Harold Mabern and the late James Williams. He graduated summa cum laude in 2008, moved to NYC and, at age 23 produced, led, composed and performed on his first CD, Introducing Justin Kauflin.
In 2011, he relocated to Virginia Beach where the Justin Kauflin Trio headlined regularly at Havana Nights Jazz Club, and where he also served as House Pianist. He performed around the country; won the VSA International Young Soloist Award; was voted “Jazz Artist of the Year” in VEER Magazine; and selected as semifinalist in the prestigious Thelonious Monk International Jazz Piano Competition.
Simultaneously during this time, Justin’s relationship with mentor Clark Terry was being chronicled by friend and fellow musician, Al Hicks. Five years in the making, the resultant documentary, Keep On Keepin’ On, won numerous awards and made the Oscar’s Short List. Justin is also credited for its film score along with veteran Dave Grusin. Subsequently, Justin was signed by legendary producer and music icon, Quincy Jones for management, and in 2013 and 2014, was part of Quincy Jones’ World Tours.
In addition to promoting Keep On Keepin’ On across the country, Justin worked with Quincy Jones on his second full-length CD and debut album for Jazz Village. His personnel included once again Billy Williams and Etan Haziza, Chris Smith and Matt Stevens. DEDICATION was released January 2015 and debuted at #6 on CMJ Jazz chart, #10 on Billboard’s Traditional Jazz Chart, hit #1 on JazzWeek’s chart and remained in the top 10 spot for 9 straight weeks. The Justin Kauflin Trio followed up with two European Tours and several stateside tours.
2017 also found Justin recording on multiple CD projects, including two of his own. Bassist Thomas Fonnesbaek’s duo project, Synesthesia was released in OCT 17 and Justin’s solo project, Silent Night featuring Jacob Collier on its title track in DEC 17. His newest album expects release in Fall 2018.
KATIE THIROUX – BASS
As a bass player, singer and composer Katie Thiroux is a “triple threat.” Her debut album, Introducing Katie Thiroux, has received many awards including “Debut Record of the Year” from the Huffington Post, All About Jazz, and the Jazz Journalist’s Association, and “Top 5 Debut Records of the Year” from the NPR Jazz Critics Poll. Other accolades include being a 2015 semi-finalist in the Thelonious Monk Competition, and being featured on WBGO’s “The Checkout,” Downbeat Magazine and NPR.
Stylistically, Katie carries on the hard swinging tradition of such bass masters as Ray Brown and John Clayton, while channeling the vocal finesse of iconic singers including Anita O’Day, Chet Baker and Ella Fitzgerald. She draws upon the rich history of the music, from swing to bebop and beyond.
In May, 2017 Katie served as musical director in a tribute to Ella Fitzgerald at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles. She has performed at the Blue Note, Birdland, the San Jose Summer Jazz Fest, NAMM and the Juneau Jazz and Classics Festival, and recently returned from a two-month residency in Dubai June at the invitation of Quincy Jones.
TIM WARFIELD – TENOR SAX
Tim Warfield Jr., a native of York, Pennsylvania, began studying the alto saxophone at age nine. He switched to tenor saxophone in the ninth grade, during his first year at William Penn Sr. High School, where he participated in various musical ensembles winning many jazz soloist awards, including second out of forty competitors at the Montreal Festival of Music in Canada.
Warfield’s first recording, A Cool Blue, was selected as one of the top ten recordings of the year in a 1995 New York Times critic’s poll, as was his 1998 recording Gentle Warrior (featuring Cyrus Chestnut, Tarus Mateen, Clarence Penn, Terell Stafford, and Nicholas Payton), proclaiming him possibly the most powerful tenor saxophonist of his generation.
In December of 2012, Warfield released his CD entitled “Tim Warfield’s Jazzy Christmas,” on his label Undaunted Music. The recording features an all star cast including, trumpeter Terell Stafford, vibraphonist Stefon Harris, pianists Cyrus Chestnut, and Neil Podgurski, bassist Rodney Whitaker, drummer Clarence Penn, percussionist Daniel Sadownick, and vocalists Joanna Pascale, and Jamie Davis. The CD, which advanced to slot #25, as the Highest Debut, Most Added, and Biggest Gainer, on the Jazzweek charts in only its second week of release, was showcased among 20 other new holiday recordings, as one of the Best Holiday recordings for 2013, in the New York Times, Holiday Gift Guide.
On November 7, 2015, The Clef Club of Jazz and the Performing Arts, recognized Tim, as “Tenor saxophonist of the Year,” at their annual Clef Club Jazz Awards, in Philadelphia. Tim currently serves as a board member, and music committee chairperson, for the Central Pennsylvania Friends of Jazz. Tim also serves as “artist-in-residence” at Messiah College in Grantham, Pa, and an adjunct music faculty member at Temple University, in Philadelphia, Pa. Tim has recently joined the Jazz Orchestra of Philadelphia, under the direction of Terell Stafford.
Tim’s newest recording entitled “JAZZLAND” on the Criss Cross Jazz label, featuring trumpeter Terell Stafford, organist Pat Bianchi, drummer Byron Landham and percussionist Daniel Sadownick, is scheduled for release in the late spring of 2018.
TERELL STAFFORD – TRUMPET
Based in New York, acclaimed trumpet player Terell Stafford has been hailed as “one of the great players of our time, a fabulous trumpet player” by piano legend McCoy Tyner. Stafford is recognized as an incredibly gifted and versatile player, he combines a deep love of melody with his own brand of spirited and adventurous lyricism. Stafford’s exceptionally expressive and well defined musical talent allows him to dance in and around the rich trumpet tradition of his predecessors while making his own inroads.
Since the mid-1990’s, Stafford has performed with groups such as Benny Golson’s Sextet, McCoy Tyner’s Sextet, Kenny Barron Quintet, Frank Wess Quintet, Jimmy Heath Quintet and Big Band, Jon Faddis Jazz Orchestra, Carnegie Hall Jazz Band and Dizzy Gillespie All-Star Alumni Band.
He is the Director of Jazz Studies and Chair of Instrumental Studies at Temple University, founder and band leader of the Terell Stafford Quintet, and Managing and Artistic Director of the Jazz Orchestra of Philadelphia (JOP).
DAWN CLEMENT – PIANO
Pianist/Composer and vocalist Dawn Clement hails from Seattle, WA. A veteran of Jazz Port Townsend, Dawn is involved in several collaborations including the Jane Ira Bloom Quartet, Priester’s Cue with the legendary Julian Priester, the Seattle Pianist Collective, as well as her own trio.
Dawn has performed with such notables as Nancy King, Ingrid Jensen, Hadley Caliman, John Clayton, Mercer Ellington, Mark Dresser, Jay Clayton and Pharaoh Sanders. Dawn has performed in some of the world’s most premier venues such as Carnegie Hall, Le Conservatoire Superieur, Paris, and Seattle’s Benaroya Hall, as well as numerous clubs (including Sweet Rhythm, Tonic, and Iridium), art museums, and theaters.
In addition to her work with Jane Ira Bloom, Dawn has toured the U.S. with a number of projects including the Sabella Consort, and the Rubin/Clement Piano Dialogues. Dawn is currently on the faculty of Cornish College of the Arts and maintains a rigorous performance schedule.
JOHN CLAYTON – ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Grammy-winning bassist/composer/conductor John Clayton has written and arranged music for Diana Krall, DeeDee Bridgewater, Natalie Cole, Milt Jackson, Nancy Wilson, McCoy Tyner, Quincy Jones, George Benson, Dr. John, Regina Carter and many others.
John has been commissioned by many ensembles including the Northwest Chamber Orchestra, the American Jazz Philharmonic, The Iceland Symphony, The Metropole Orchestra, The Carnegie Hall Big Band, The Richmond Symphony, the WDR Orchestra, and the Amsterdam Philharmonic. John was awarded a platinum record for his stirring arrangement of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” performed by Whitney Houston during the Super Bowl in 1990.
John has won numerous awards such as the Golden Feather Award, and the Los Angeles Jazz Society’s Composer/Arranger award. Most recently, John won a Grammy for his arrangements on Queen Latifah’s, Trav’lin’ Light. John has served as the musical director of several jazz festivals including the Sarasota Jazz Festival, the Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival, the Santa Fe Jazz Party, and the Vail Jazz Workshop.
John is a co-founder of the Grammy-nominated Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, which is co-led by John, his brother, saxophonist, Jeff Clayton, and drummer, Jeff Hamilton. Also, John and his brother Jeff co-lead the Clayton Brothers Quintet, who have been nominated for two Grammy awards.
BILLY WILLIAMS – DRUMS
Billy Williams, a native of Virginia Beach, Virginia, began playing drums at the age of ten at the Brotherly Love Church of God in Christ in Norfolk, VA under the leadership of his grandfather, Pastor Wilbert R. Miller. His mother, the church Minister of Music, watched him closely and nurtured his gift. The foundation of building a life that was Christ-centered shaped Billy’s outlook on the power of music. The life-long lessons of music MINISTRY, humility and professionalism learned during this time would also prove to be very vital to his career. Now, 29 and a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University, Billy has had the opportunity to travel the world extensively as a performer and educator.
Billy has worked professionally with many master musicians including: Larry Willis, Steve Davis, Cyrus Chestnut, Delfeayo Marsalis, Ellis Marsalis, Christian McBride, Benny Golson, Tim Warfield, Terell Stafford, Warren Wolf, ELEW, Jon Faddis, Nat Reeves, Steve Wilson and many others. His talents have afforded him the chance to perform in prestigious venues such as:
Carnegie Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center, and The Village Vanguard in New York City; The Kennedy Center and Blues Alley in Washington, DC; Duc Des Lombards in Paris, France; Bimhuis in Amsterdam, Netherlands; Ronnie Scott’s in London, England; Fasching in Stockholm, Sweden; Jazzhus Montmartre in Copenhagen, Denmark; The A-Trane in Berlin, Germany; Bologna Jazz Festival in Bologna, Italy; Umbria Jazz in Perugia, Italy; Porgy and Bess in Vienna, Austria; Jazz at Lincoln Center in Doha, Qatar; and Marian’s Jazz Room in Bern, Switzerland amongst many others.
As an educator, Billy has been featured as a Jazz Studies Artist-In-Residence at Duke University in Durham, NC, The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, JazzSTL in St. Louis, Missouri, and at the Governor’s School for the Arts in Norfolk, VA.
Port Townsend & Fort Worden
Located just 2 hours west of Seattle, Port Townsend is the perfect place to indulge your creative side. With its maritime heritage, Victorian architecture, artist spirit, and a touch of urban chic, Port Townsend is an easily accessible base camp to the Olympic Peninsula and beyond.
Centrum’s home is at Fort Worden – the kind of destination that stays with you for a lifetime. Amidst the magnificent natural setting and the influence of its military past, Fort Worden is home to inspiration, education and personal transformation. People gather here to participate in arts and music events, woodworking classes, conferences, camping and outdoor activities, family reunions, weddings, and much more. Originally designed as a military base to protect Puget Sound, Fort Worden evolved into an iconic and cherished state park. The fort – featuring 100 historic structures – spans two miles of saltwater shoreline with views of the Olympic and Cascade Mountains, and the San Juan Islands.
Click here for detailed instructions about traveling to Seattle to Port Townsend without a car.
Ferry
Seattle to Bainbridge
Edmonds to Kingston
Mukilteo to Clinton (Whidbey Island)
Whidbey Island to Port Townsend
Airports
Sea-Tac International Airport
17801 International Blvd, Seattle, WA 98158
Shuttle information
Jefferson County International Airport
Airport Cutoff Road, Port Townsend, WA 98368
Bus/shuttle
Located less than two miles from downtown Port Townsend, Fort Worden is easily accessible for both locals and visitors.
General inquiries: info@centrum.org, (360) 385-3102 x117