KNKX Studio Sessions

Singer-songwriter Nancy Erickson Lamont dropped her fourth release the very day of her third KNKX Studio Session recording.

Through the Passages was produced by Johnaye Kendrick, a Grammy-winning member of the vocal quartet säje, who also plays multiple instruments on the recording.

Lamont was joined in the KNKX studios by her co-writer for the album's all-original songs, pianist Shawn Schlogel. He talked about their writing process compared to the method Lamont used with another co-writer, Los Angeles-based pianist Josh Nelson, who also plays on the release.

Lamont spoke about the poetic influences in her writing, which grew beyond her own personal experience to others in her life. One song on Through the Passages is from the perspective of her daughter when she first met her husband, who happened to be Lamont’s bassist.

Join Nancy Erickson Lamont and her band on a personal journey through three songs from the new album in this special performance.

Musicians:

• Nancy Erickson Lamont - vocals
• Shawn Schlogel - piano
• Moe Weisner - bass
• Stefan Schatz - drums
• Jean Chaumont - guitar ("Haiku New Love")

Songs:

1. Haiku New Love
2. Ghost
3. Tick Tock

Ben Thomas’ passion for music has led him down many different paths. He's studied percussion, improvisation, and, most recently, tango music. With the tango’s signature instrument, the bandoneon, he has infused those influences into enchanting modern compositions.

Thomas picked up the instrument after taking dance lessons. He became enthralled with the tango's romantic rhythms and dynamic compositions. The discovery of the style overhauled what Thomas had learned about music previously. He said he’s been writing almost exclusively in the style over the last five to six years.

“It's made me a very different musician, as a percussionist and a composer. As a percussionist, you don't have to worry about breathing…with a bandoneon the bellows get so wide, and then you run out of lung. And so, it's made me write different phrases and play differently than when I'm playing drums and vibes,” he said.

The concertina, an accordion-like instrument, traveled with German and Italian immigrants to Argentina in the early 1900s. It inspired the bandoneon, which became a key instrument in ensembles playing music for tango dancing.

Thomas and his ensemble visited KNKX’s Seattle Studios to preview some new compositions that he’ll be showcasing with the Ben Thomas Tango Project at the Royal Room in Seattle on May 9.

They started with the “El Choclo," aka “Kiss of Fire,” a traditional tango often covered by jazz artists. The band closed with one of Thomas’ modern tangos that infuses jazz harmonies and room for improvisation called “An Unapologetic Shift of Perspective.”

Enjoy this modern perspective of celebrated tango music in this exclusive KNKX Studio Session performance.

Musicians:

• Ben Thomas - bandoneon
• Gabe Hall - Rodriguez - piano
• Steve Shermer - bass
• Libby Phelps - violin

Songs:

1. El Choclo (Ángel Villoldo)
2. An Unapologetic Shift of Perspective (Ben Thomas)

Singer, songwriter and celebrated improviser Cyrille Aimée visited the KNKX studios in April on the heels of her latest album à Fleur de Peau. Her 2024 tour is taking her around the world, including a performance in Seattle at the Triple Door.

The album combines her French and Dominican heritage, the influences she gathered from living in New Orleans and New York City, and her inspiring new home in, Costa Rica to deliver her most personal album yet.

“This record is the most intimate I've ever been….I'm really being very vulnerable. And it was scary. It almost felt like I'm releasing my personal diary. But it's so gratifying because every time I perform these songs, I'm really sharing who I am on a human level,” Aimée said.

The literal translation of à Fleur de Peau is “on the surface of the skin” but it is a French expression used to describe someone who is in tune with the world, community and their self. Aimée said it’s how she feels performing and writing music.

“It means when you're very in touch with everything around you, and you see the beauty in everything and you're very emotional; everything affects you and you're moved by the smallest things. And I find myself in that state a lot, especially when I'm writing music,” she said.

Aimée, accompanied by the exciting pianist Mathis Picard, brought deeply personal songs for the KNKX studio audience. “Back To You,” written while in a long-distance relationship; an ode to the power of community called “Beautiful Way,” and she picked up the ukulele for the freshly composed “Benjamin."

Musicians:

Cyrille Aimée – vocals, ukulele

Mathis Picard – piano

Songs:

1. Back To You (Aimée)
2. Benjamin (Aimée)
3. Beautiful Way (Aimée)

Ruthie Foster is a Texas-based singer/songwriter who seamlessly weaves together blues, soul, gospel and even reggae. You can hear several of her songs on both KNKX jazz and blues programs. She’s been nominated five times for a Grammy Award and won multiple Blues Music Awards.

Her latest album Healing Time came out in 2022 and received one those Grammy nods in the Best Contemporary Blues Album category. Foster visited Seattle earlier in April, putting on a show at The Triple Door, and stopping by the KNKX Seattle Studios for a performance and conversation with KNKX All Blues host John Kessler. 

Foster has described herself as a shy child who tried to blend in with her church choir. Then the day came for her to sing a solo and she very quickly learned to be confident about her voice. 

Foster talked about how her newest album Healing Time was written, recorded and released amidst the pandemic. Something different about this recording was that she worked with her band members writing and arranging all the music, leading to a more organic feel and one that did in fact serve as literal “healing time” for them.

Joining Foster were her longtime bandmates Scottie Miller on piano, Larry Fulcher on bass and Brannen Temple on drums. All of these musicians have very impressive recording and touring credits.

Miller is a member of the Minnesota Blues Hall of Fame who has released 11 solo albums as a singer-songwriter. Larry Fulcher is an elite studio bassist whose credits include Smokey Robinson and The Crusaders, as well as numerous reggae artists including The Wailers and Third World. Temple is a three-time Grammy winner himself having played with Robben Ford, Eric Burdon, Lizz Wright and Eric Johnson. 

It was a treat to have all of these musicians in our studios, and with Ruthie Foster running the show we know you'll love these blues.

Musicians:

• Ruthie Foster - guitar, vocals
• Scottie Miller - piano, backing vocals
• Larry Fulcher - bass, backing vocals
• Brannen Templer - drums, backing vocals

Songs:

1. Soul Searching (Ruthie Foster)
2. The Ghetto (Staples Singers)
3. Healing Time (Ruthie Foster)

Jazz Overhaul looks to the past for inspiration – the not-so-distant past when the cold, rainy nights around Puget Sound were pulsing with the sounds of “grunge.” It’s a magic combination that hopes to bring younger music fans to the world of improvised music.

Saxophonist and bandleader Cliff Colón said he’d noticed older jazz standards weren’t resonating with younger audiences, but they could recognize modern melodies even without lyrics.

Once the band members were set, with Jake Sele on keys, Osama Afifi on bass and D'Vonne Lewis on drums, Jazz Overhaul fully embraced the music of the "Seattle sound.”

Many American cities are known for their music: Detroit's Motown soul, New Orleans' second line funk, Washington D.C.'s go-go scene and more. Seattle, for better or worse, is known for the heavy rock music of the late '80s and early '90s

Colón takes lessons from the long history of jazz musicians reworking popular music, like John Coltrane’s version of “My Favorite Things” from The Sound of Music.

"We’re really fortunate in Seattle that we have our own genre," Colón explained. "So why not cover all those tunes?”

Jazz Overhaul often welcomes special guests ranging from singer Jacqueline Tabor to the brass brothers Thomas and David Marriott, to guitarists R.L. Heyer, Andy Coe and Brian Monroney.

“The guitar players know the songs better than we do,” Colón joked.

There's a long list of quality songs from the Seattle and greater Pacific Northwest’s grunge era, many of which are nostalgic hits for Generation X music lovers. With their musical overhaul, Jazz Overhaul does justice to this era of bands.

If you know the material – the band also performed versions of Soundgarden’s “Black Hole Sun” and Alice In Chains’ “Would?” in KNKX’s Studio X – Jazz Overhaul might blow your mind. If you’re less familiar, you can simply enjoy their smart arrangements of powerful, catchy melodies.

Along the way, you might learn something about the history of Northwest rock and the music that made Seattle famous. Check out Jazz Overhaul at Bake’s Place in Bellevue on May 11.

Musicians:

• Cliff Colón - tenor saxophone
• Jake Sele - keyboards
• Osama Afifi - bass
• D'Vonne Lewis - drums

Songs:

1. Would? (Alice in Chains)
2. Black Hole Sun (Soundgarden)
3. Smells Like Teen Spirit (Nirvana)

They strut on stage like the coolest cats in music, but they'll tell you it's not them. The True Loves secret is no secret at all. It's simply about making great music.

The True Loves celebrate 10 years of creating soulful grooves this year, including making their debut at Dimitriou's Jazz Alley. Before their second night at the venerable jazz venue, the septet brought their deep pockets filled with funk to the KNKX studios.

Rhythm is at the heart of everything the True Loves play. Guitarist Jimmy James, the band's reluctant frontman, pointed to James Brown's beat-focused bands to explain the True Loves' rhythmic philosophy. The legendary bandleader famously viewed every instrument in his band as connected to the drum.

There's also that feel. True Loves music just feels good. James is locked tight with Bryant Moore, David McGraw and Iván Galvez on bass, drums and percussion, each of them moving to the infectious groove.

Seattle Jazz Hall of Famer Skerik said he was honored to play baritone saxophone with the True Loves. The experience he gets on this lesser-used horn in his collection is valuable, but it's clear the Seattle jazz icon loves his role with this group.

Trombonist Greg Kramer talked about his appreciation of hip-hop and how his compositions bring modern elements to the neo-retro soul of the True Loves.

Tenor saxophonist Gordon Brown detailed the challenges of organizing this fantastic collection of first-call musicians. It can be difficult, but when the True Loves get together, it's magic for the band and their loyal fans around the Northwest and around the world.

After these two nights at Jazz Alley, the True Loves have a handful of shows out of state this Summer and plans to tour Europe for a second time. They hope to play again in Seattle as soon as possible, but it could be a while considering the band members' busy schedules.

Enjoy this Studio X performance from the True Loves now, and anytime you need to feel groovy.

Musicians:

• Jimmy James - guitar
• Bryant Moore - bass
• David McGraw - drums
• Iván Galvez - percussion
• Skerik - baritone saxophone
• Gordon Brown - tenor saxophone
• Greg Kramer - trombone

Songs:

1. Mary Pop Poppins
2. Good Weed & Red Wine
3. The Grifter

The Wood Brothers recently visited the Pacific Northwest, performing shows to promote the release of their latest album, Heart is the Hero. They stopped by KNKX's Studio X for an exclusive trio performance with All Blues host John Kessler.

The Wood Brothers are Oliver Wood on guitar, Chris Wood on bass, and honorary brother multi-instrumentalist Jano Rix. They are not easily categorized and draw on many influences including folk, gospel, blues and jazz. As The Wood Brothers, they have made nine studio albums since 2006 and five live albums.

While living in Atlanta, Oliver played with well-known bluesman Tinsley Ellis, before forming the popular roots-rock band King Johnson.

Chris, the younger brother, studied at the New England Conservatory of Music. Later, he started the world-renowned jazz-fusion band Medeski, Martin and Wood.

Rix is a studio drummer and pianist who joined The Wood Brothers around 2011. He plays a variety of instruments, sometimes simultaneously.

The brothers talked about growing up in a house full of music and poetry. Their father was a musician who played with Joan Baez during the folk music revival of the 1960s, and their mother was a writer and poet.

They played music together as teens but did not start a “brother band” at the time, something they both are thankful for. In retrospect, they are both glad that they waited until they had experience with their separate careers, before joining forces.

At one point, Oliver’s band King Johnson was booked to open for Chris’ band Medeski, Martin and Wood. This was the first and only time that happened.

Chris said that when Oliver jumped on stage to sit in with them, they became aware of the brothers’ “instant chemistry.” That led to their first project together as The Wood Brothers in 2006 and is now the primary focus for both of them.

On their latest release, Heart is the Hero, they decided to forego the common practice of recording digitally and instead used 16-track analog tape. Digital recording offers endless possibilities with few constraints and is controlled mostly through the visual medium of the computer screen.

In contrast, the so-called limitations of analog recording forced them to concentrate on the “feel” of their music and be more present while recording and listening back.

We were also treated to Rix's innovative musicianship. Rix played piano with his right hand while drumming with his left and also singing harmony vocals, a feat that the Woods call being “omni-dextrous.”

Musicians:

• Oliver Wood - acoustic and electric guitars
• Chris Wood - bass
• Jano Rix - drums, shuitar, piano

Songs:

1. Line Those Pockets
2. Rollin' On
3. Pilgrim

A founding member of the acclaimed brass quartet The Westerlies, trumpeter Riley Mulherkar has spent the last five years preparing his debut as a leader. On the day of his album release, he celebrated with a performance in the KNKX studios.

Mulherkar is a known quantity in music, especially to his family and friends in his native Seattle and his current community in Brooklyn. He’s sure to gain more attention with this impressive collection of standards and originals in Mulherkar’s unique style.

The new album Riley has origins going back five years. It shows off Mulherkar’s incredible facility on the trumpet playing century-old standards and his bright new compositions in a modern context with detailed digital production.

Mulherkar explained that the repertoire for Riley was settled at the beginning of the process, but he allowed himself the time to let each song take its own path.

Riley was a committed collaboration between Mulherkar and his producers, Rafiq Bhatia and Chris Pattishall. These two worked closely with the trumpeter from beginning to end.

Pattishall himself joined Mulherkar in KNKX's Studio X with bassist Russell Hall and Seattle-based drummer Chris Icasiano to play three songs from the album. Mulherkar added that this performance was his first attempt to perform the songs live with electronics.

“I’m really excited with how it’s sounding,” Mulherkar said with a smile.

“Consider everything an experiment," he said, quoting musician John Cage's Rules for Students and Teachers.

"We’re just experimenting and seeing what we can find, and I’m sure that years down the road it could be totally different and that’s great too,” Mulherkar added.

Listen to his back-beat-focused version of the early jazz classic “King Porter Stomp,” the modern fusion of original tune “Ride or Die” and the sweet duet with Pattishall on “Stardust.” We know you’ll join us in finding Riley Mulherkar’s studio session experiment to be a great success.

Musicians:

• Riley Mulherkar - trumpet
• Chris Pattishall - keyboards
• Russell Hall - bass
• Chris Icasiano - drums

Songs:

1. King Porter Stomp (Jelly Roll Morton)
2. Ride or Die (Riley Mulherkar)
3. Stardust (Hoagy Carmichael)

Formed around 2007 as a tribute to the classic 1965 live album Night of the Cookers, the seven all-stars of The Cookers returned to the KNKX studios for a performance for the ages.

This supergroup, defined by its members extensive experience, is still going strong. They played two shows at Dimitriou's Jazz Alley in Seattle when they took some time for this recording at Studio X.

Band leader David Weiss is one of three younger Cookers, with saxophonists Donald Harrison and Craig Handy, all at around 60 years old.

The veterans include Weiss’ fellow trumpeter Eddie Henderson, pianist George Cables and drummer Billy Hart who are all around 20 years older than Weiss. The elder statesman is 88-year-old bassist Cecil McBee.

Far from reliving past glories, the mission of the Cookers has always been pushing the music forward.

Weiss explained, after performing dynamic post-bop originals from Cables and McBee, the band plays mostly music they’ve written. This group of legends has become a serious band with a sound all its own.

The gentlemen drew on their original inspiration after their session to share stories of their favorite moments on stage.

Henderson described his night in the audience for the Night of the Cookers recording with his mentor, trumpeter Freddie Hubbard, while Hart pointed to performances with Herbie Hancock’s famed early '70s fusion band.

McBee topped them both with a double header: After an early evening performance in 1966 Los Angeles, he was surprised after the gig with kudos from the bass legend Ray Brown who’d been in the audience.

Then McBee drove to the Monterey Jazz Festival and rushed on stage just in time for a late-night performance with sax and flute great Charles Lloyd’s band. The performance was recorded and became Lloyd’s legendary live album Forest Flower.

The Cookers could keep you entertained with stories from their amazing careers for hours. We know you’ll enjoy this interview at the KNKX studios, but probably not as much as you’ll love their music.

Musicians:

• Eddie Henderson - trumpet
• David Weiss - trumpet
• Donald Harrison - alto saxophone
• Craig Handy - tenor saxophone
• George Cables - piano
• Cecil McBee - bass
• Billy Hart - drums

Songs:

1. Blackfoot (G.Cables)
2. Peacemaker (C.McBee)
3. The Mystery of Monifa Brown (G.Cables)

The excitement level was high as pianist Jahari Stampley opened his session in the KNKX Studio X, and it came from the audience as well as Stampley himself.

"Oh my God," he exclaimed as his trio brought his energetic and demanding tune "Unlimited" to a close. Then he called out his bandmates, drummer Miguel Russell and his mother D'Erania Stampley who was busy switching from saxophone to keyboards to the upright bass.

Her son beamed with pride throughout the performance, bragging that "she learned bass eight months ago, and she just got her pilot's license!"

A multi-talented, multi-instrumentalist, D'Erania has also been nominated for multiple Grammy awards. Jahari obviously wasn't exaggerating with his compliments, but it's the 24-year-old pianist who's been in the jazz world's spotlight recently.

Jahari won the prestigious Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz piano competition last year and in December was named the "Chicagoans of the Year in Jazz" by the Chicago Tribune. Most exciting, though, was the release of his debut album Still Listening.

Joining host Abe Beeson in a post-performance interview were four students of the KNKX School of Jazz: Stephen Filippov, a pianist at Decatur High School; Miles Wieland, a pianist from Bainbridge High School; and two students from Lynnwood High School, saxophonist Tryston Gronning and trumpeter Jaeden Rubio.

Filippov and Wieland had previously recorded KNKX studio sessions with their school ensembles and Rubio will host a guest DJ show later this spring.

The students talked with Jahari about what inspired him to switch from drums to creating music on piano, which cultures outside of American jazz influence his music, and the most important universal lesson he could share about learning music.

"I think it's important to learn how to master your technique in a way that allows you to be comfortable," Jahari advised. "You don't want to injure yourself playing, you want to prolong your playing."

Jahari's playing in this exclusive performance was passionate, dynamic and filled with the youthful energy of the pianist and his favorite drummer. Russell's explosive electronic-beat-meets-progressive-jazz-rock style had the studio audience and his bandleader rising to their feet with excitement.

Enjoy this striking, flowing set of music from Jahari Stampley's trio and the charming conversation he shared with our School of Jazz friends. Thanks to Dimitriou's Jazz Alley for helping to make this session possible.

Musicians:

• Jahari Stampley - piano, keyboards, pedal bass, vocals
• D'Erania Stampley - saxophone, bass, keyboard
• Miguel Russell - drums

Songs:

1. Prelude Entrance
2. Unlimited
3. Power
4. Still Listening
5. To Be with You Again