Jazz Under the Stars starts Tomorrow and will run every Thursday until mid August! *15th Annual Jazz under the Stars July 11 to August 15, 2013* FREE Thursdays 7 pm to 9 pm Pacific Lutheran University Mary Baker Russell Amphitheatre Complimentary coffee provided by Seattle’s Best. Visit PLU’s Keck Observatory with Tacoma Astronomical Society the nights of August 1, 8 and 15. *July 11– Steve Howland Trio, featuring Nate Omdal and Adam Kessler* Stephen Howland is a diverse composer and performer in jazz, classical, flamenco, and popular idioms. He has been a concert artist and clinician at music festivals, colleges, and guitar societies throughout the Western States. He has been featured on recordings as a guitar soloist with big band, classical and early music chamber musicians, and has written and been a studio guitarist for independent artists and bands. Dr. Howland teaches jazz and classical guitar at PLU and co-directs the PLU Guitar Festival. The Stephen Howland Trio features Nate Omdal on upright bass, and Adam Kessler on drums, playing standards and originals that reflect broad influences and interests. The trio is a wonderful melding of outstanding and distinct talents. Nate is an in-demand musician, busy as a bassist and with scoring and arranging work. He is a quintessential jazz artist, always deeply engaged in the moment and breathing life into the music. Adam is an active teacher and performer, playing a wide variety of drum set and percussion musical genres including jazz, Brazilian, reggae, middle eastern, funk, rock, blues, and klezmer. Together, each musician enhances the other and helps create music alive and new. *July 18– Andre Thomas* Schooled in his native Baltimore, Andre Thomas studied music in San Diego and at the Armed Forces School of Music. He moved to Seattle from Japan in 1987 with the Navy Band. While in the service, Andre performed ceremonial music for formal military occasions and dance music for events like Seafair. “We also did special performances for elementary schools that featured everything from Mancini to rock ‘n roll,” he says. But Andre’s real love is jazz. “My father was a jazz drummer and my biggest influence.” During the late 1990s, Andre hosted the Sunday evening jam session at Tula’s, a leading Seattle jazz club. He has found many opportunities to play throughout the area and has performed as a sideman for a host of musicians such as Big Joe Turner, Jimmy Witherspoon, Don Ellis, Art Pepper, Clark Terry, Herb Ellis, and others. He also leads his own group, Quiet Fire, in appearances throughout the Seattle region. *July 25 – Stephanie Porter* Seattle native Stephanie Porter, an outstanding jazz vocalist with a clear, sultry tone and a bright and appealing stage presence, has had a passion for music her whole life. From 1996 to 2000, Porter opened for a multitude of national acts and as a member of the popular disco group, “Hit Explosion.” During this time, she also recorded “My Heart Belongs to Daddy,” which ascended to the top 100 of the Gavin Jazz Chart. National Public Radio station, KPLU (88.5 FM), still features a number of songs from her critically-acclaimed album, Mood Swings, nationwide. The album has been sold in over 25 countries. In addition to the Northwest, she has performed in venues across the country, as well as Canada, France and England. Her latest album, How Deep is the Ocean, is a brilliant showcase of her amazing talent as a vocalist. Joining Stephanie onstage will be Bill Anschell, piano, Dan O’Brein, bass, and Steve Yusen on drums. * August 1 – Tracey D. Hooker* Tracey D. Hooker is a Grammy Award winning trumpeter from the Puget Sound area. Mr. Hooker is a graduate of Regents College (SUNY). A 22-year veteran of the United States Navy Music Program, Tracey has traveled extensively throughout the United States and Europe as a featured trumpet soloist. Tracey brings his current band, “Hook Me Up” to PLU. He also performs as lead trumpeter with the Olympia Jazz Senators and has recently accompanied Debbie Boone. Additionally he performs as a sideman with many local groups as well as more notable groups such as The O'Jays, Frankie Valli, Solomon Burke, Arturo Sandoval, Bobby Shew, Mic Gilette, Stan Mark, the San Diego Symphony and the Florida Symphony. Additionally, Tracey is an adjudicator and member of the Washington Music Educators Association. Tracey is a trumpet artist for the Cannonball Music Company and endorses Marcinkiewicz mouthpieces. Despite Tracey's busy schedule, he makes time to teach privately from his home studio. * August 8 – Casey McGill* Casey McGill croons classic tunes in a style encompassing blues, ballads, and boogie. Casey is a native of Los Angeles, grew up with folk music, surf, 60's pop, and eventually the blues. He majored in music at Pasadena City College and Cal State LA, studying with jazz greats Gary Foster, Warne Marsh, and Buddy Collette. McGill performed on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, the Gong Show, and the movie Frances with his trio Mood Indigo. Casey was featured in the Broadway musical Swing, opening the show and writing five songs. Casey currently plays in the group the Blue 4 Trio, on ukulele and cornet, in addition to piano, and occasionally Roy Kay's Red Hot Rhythm Club. He particularly enjoys his solo turn at Vito's for the chance to help create the ambience of a vintage cocktail lounge with his music. * August 15 – Ted Dortch* Ted Dortch is one of the top saxophone players working in the Pacific Northwest. Ted has over 50 album credits to his name and has appeared at numerous jazz festivals, including Montreux, Vienna, and Tokyo. Growing up in the Atlanta area, Ted played in the 389th army band in Ft. Monmouth, New Jersey. After his Army stint, Ted worked in New York for three years, two years playing salsa and jazz in Miami, and then played in the thriving music scene back in Atlanta. After 10 years Ted pulled up his roots and moved the family to Seattle where, since 1999, he continues to work and expand his musical scope. The Ted Dortch Trio is the NW’s Premier purveyor of Soul Jazz, Swing, and Blues. Based in the south sound, the band features the soulful sound of Ted Dortch’s sax, the legendary Buck England on Hammond B-3 and the driving force of Mitch Reems on drums. This blending of talent is something not to be missed. KPLU is a co-sponsor of Jazz Under the Stars