Monday, January 29, 2007 at 7:30pm
The Seattle Women's Jazz Orchestra (SWOJO) features many of the finest female jazz artists in the region. Showcasing high intensity jazz, tight harmonies, and lush dynamic sounds, the band performs with a fresh energy stemming from six years of thrilling audiences on two continents. SWOJO has come a long way in a short time. Since forming in 2000, the band has performed at clubs, jazz festivals, and concert halls in North and South America, released a critically acclaimed CD (Dreamcatcher), and was nominated for an Earshot Golden Ear award last year! SWOJO has appeared with a number of distinguished jazz artists including Don Lanphere, Mimi Fox, Becca Duran, Susan Pascal, Sue Orfield, Greta Matassa, Hazel Leach, Jill Townsend, and Ingrid Jensen. Concerts feature the music of many local composers and arrangers, such as Al Farlow, Jill Townsend, Vern Sielert, Nelda Swiggett, Carmen Staaf, and SWOJO's musical director, Dr. Daniel Barry.
Four times voted the northwest's “best jazz vocalist" by Earshot Jazz, Greta Matassa is one of the most talented singers working in jazz today. In demand for concert and nightclub appearances, her one- woman show, “Ella and Billie," a musical tribute, won her critical acclaim. Her collaborations and guest appearances with Spectrum Dance Theater, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Teatro ZinZanni, the Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra and the Seattle Men's Chorus have been innovative and successful. Compared with the greats, Ella Fitzgerald, Anita O'Day, and Nancy Wilson, Matassa has become one of the hottest tickets on the northwest jazz scene. Greta has released five CDs and a DVD live concert. She receives regular national airplay.
Proceeds from this special concert event will go to two exciting SWOJO projects in 2007: a return trip to Lima, Peru for the XVII Festival Jazz en Lima in April and the release of our second CD, a set of exciting live performances from recent SWOJO shows. A small set of silent auction items will be available for bidding the evening of the concert.
Join SWOJO and very special guest artist Greta Matassa for an evening of fine food and dynamic big band jazz. Proceeds to support the Seattle Women's Jazz Orchestra, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
MONDAY, JANUARY 29, 2007, AT 7:30 PM
Dimitriou's Jazz Alley
2033 6th Avenue, Seattle
SWOJO with special guest Greta Matassa
SWOJO Personnel:
Music Director: Dr. Daniel Barry
Executive Director: Carolyn Caster
Guest Artist (vocals): Greta Matassa
Saxophones: Lisa Gordanier, Barbara Hubers-Drake, Cynthia Mullis, Dianne Krouse, Ann Babb
Trombones: Carolyn Caster, Mariah Ralston, Erin Easley, Jennifer Kellogg
Trumpets: Dennis Haldane, Marge Rosen, Angela Smith, Sarah Nelson
Rhythm: Ann Reynolds (p), Rachael Contorer (b), Jeremy Jones (dr)
Tickets ($20) are available at Dimitriou's Jazz Alley, 206-441-9729
For more information contact All About Jazz.
