JAZZ IT UP WITH THE CARRS

Updated February 2025 (scroll to bottom for chronological listing)

Musical groups/events Mr. C. and I are involved with that I think you might enjoy:

JAZZVOX: If you would enjoy hearing fantastic vocal jazz performances within the intimate and comfortable environment of someone’s home, we warmly recommend visiting the JazzVox website www.jazzvox.com for more information. You will find the musical quality as high as you would experience in a club without the inherent noise and distractions associated with club shows.

We will be hosting three shows in our Camano home in 2025:

  • Sunday February 23 – Janis Siegel.
  • Sunday May 18 – Emilie-Claire Barlow.
  • Sunday November 16 – Lia Booth (vocal) w/ Jeremy Siskind (piano).

WHISTLE LAKE JAZZ QUARTET: Mr. C.’s erstwhile piano trio (TimE3 Jazz) has embarked on an exciting new direction with the addition of stellar jazz guitarist Jamie Findlay.  Jamie joins Tim Eslick (bass), Todd Anderson (drums) and what’s-his-name (piano) to bring the music of Pat Metheny, Wes Montgomery and other jazz greats to Anacortes audiences.  For more information visit www.facebook.com/time3jazz.

Upcoming performances:

  • Wednesday March 5 @ Rockfish Grill, Anacortes.  6:00 – 8:45 pm.
  • Friday May 2 – Anacortes Arts Walk @ Blackbird Wine Bar.  Time TBD.
  • Wednesday May 7 @ Rockfish Grill, Anacortes.  6:00 – 8:45 pm.

A’TOWN BIG BAND: Mr. C. plays piano in this excellent 17-piece big band, which performs for swing dances and festivals in the Anacortes area.  For more information visit https://sites.google.com/site/atownbigband/home.

Upcoming performances:

  • Friday February 28 @ Orlando’s BBQ Restaurant, Oak Harbor.  8-10 pm.
  • Sunday May 18 @ McIntyre Hall, Skagit Valley Community College, Mount Vernon.  A joint concert with Skagit Community Band, featuring a performance of George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue”.

HERDING KATS: A “side project” of the Big Band that has morphed into its own ensemble, this nonet (5 horns, 4 rhythm w/ Mr. C. on keys) features brilliant soloists and tight arrangements that focus on the West Coast cool jazz sound.  For more information visit https://www.facebook.com/herdingkatsjazz.

Upcoming performances:

  • Friday March 21 @ Orlando’s BBQ Restaurant, Oak Harbor.  8-10 pm.
  • Saturday April 19 @ Anacortes Depot Arts Center.  Swing Dance sponsored by the Manieri Foundation for the Arts.  Time TBD.
  • Friday April 25 @ Orlando’s BBQ Restaurant, Oak Harbor.  8-10 pm.

JOAN PENNEY:  One of THE top Northwest jazz vocalists, Joan brings to life fresh interpretations of the Great American Songbook, combining her musical chops with a genuine talent for connecting with her audiences.   Mr. C.  has recently had the good fortune to be added to the mix of first-rate musicians who line up to work with Joan.    For more info visit http://www.joansings.com.

Upcoming performances:

  • Wednesday April 2 @ Rockfish Grill, Anacortes.  6:00 – 8:45 pm.

SHARP FIVE JAZZ COLLECTIVE: A new (2024) endeavor for Mr. C!  This Bellingham-based group formed from a mutual love of post-bop quintet and sextet jazz from the late 50’s to early 60’s and beyond – artists like Wayne Shorter, Horace Silver, Joe Henderson and others.  Members include Loch Clark (trumpet/flugelhorn), Mark Kelly (saxophone/flute), Mr. C. (piano), Andy Simmons (bass) and Cary Stevens (drums).

Upcoming performances:

  • Friday August 1 @ Anacortes Arts Festival.  12:00 – 1:30 pm.

ALICIA DAUBER: A long-time favorite with Bellingham audiences.  Mr. C. enjoys the heck out of teaming up with this jazz vocalist of taste and elegance, with a book chock-full of gem-like tunes.  A hidden treasure whose public performances occur far too infrequently.

Watch this space for upcoming performances!

THE FAT FRIDAYS: “Jazz-infused Rock & Blues” is the motto of this sextet, led by Mark Dodge (guitar/vocals), also including Mr. C. (keyboard), Tom Anastasio (bass), Chris Leighton (drums), Mark Kelly (saxophone/flute), plus an exciting new addition, vocalist Kelly Visten.  The group’s CDs provide the soundtrack for my daily workout!  For more info visit: http://www.thefatfridays.com.

Upcoming performances:

  • Monday February 24 @ Angel of the Winds Casino, Arlington.  11:00 am – 3:00 pm.
  • Monday March 17 @ Angel of the Winds Casino, Arlington.  11:00 am – 3:00 pm.
  • Saturday March 29 @ Rockfish Grill, Anacortes.  7:30 – 10:00 pm.
  • Friday April 4 @ Third Place Commons, Lake Forest Park.  7:00 – 8:45 pm.
  • Monday April 14 @ Angel of the Winds Casino, Arlington.  11:00 am – 3:00 pm.
  • Monday May 12 @ Angel of the Winds Casino, Arlington.  11:00 am – 3:00 pm.
  • Saturday May 17 @ Old Edison Inn.  8:00 – 10:15 pm.

MIKE FAAST: Mr. C. regularly sits in with Mike (a Northwest legend in the genres of Western swing and bluegrass) and his group “The Archtops”, swingin’ and singin’ a choice selection from the Great American Songbook.    For more info visit http://www.mikefaastmusic.com.

Upcoming performances:

  • Saturday May 10 @ Volli Sports Bar, Marysville.  7:00 – 10:00 pm.

SWINGNUTS JAZZ: A rotating coterie of musicians (Mr. C. on piano) who play original & classic swing, Brazilian, and free-wheelin’ jazz. Led by “head nut” Peggy Wendel (vocals/songwriter), the group includes Mike Edwards (saxophone), Mark Dodge (bass) and Mark Drake (drums).  Visit the “nuts” on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/swingnutsjazz.

Upcoming performances:

  • Wednesday October 15 @ Rockfish Grill, Anacortes.  6:00 – 8:45 pm.

TANGOHEART: Now in its 25th year, this quintet plays authentic Argentinian tango – the music of Piazzolla, Pugliese, Troilo, direct from Buenos Aires.  The group consists of Bertram Levy (bandoneon), Ruthie Dornfeld (violin), Dorothy Shapiro (viola) and Todd Gowers (double-bass) plus Mr. C on piano.

Watch this space for upcoming performances!

CHRONOLOGICAL LISTING OF EVENTS:

FEBRUARY:

  • Sunday February 23 – JAZZVOX House Concert @ Chez Carr Camano – Janis Siegel.
  • Monday February 24 – THE FAT FRIDAYS @ Angel of the Winds Casino, Arlington.  11:00 am – 3:00 pm.
  • Friday February 28 – A’TOWN BIG BAND @ Orlando’s BBQ Restaurant, Oak Harbor.  8-10 pm.

MARCH:

  • Wednesday March 5 – WHISTLE LAKE JAZZ QUARTET @ Rockfish Grill, Anacortes.  6:00 – 8:45 pm.
  • Monday March 17 – THE FAT FRIDAYS @ Angel of the Winds Casino, Arlington.  11:00 am – 3:00 pm.
  • Friday March 21 – HERDING KATS @ Orlando’s BBQ Restaurant, Oak Harbor.  8-10 pm.
  • Saturday March 29 -THE FAT FRIDAYS @ Rockfish Grill, Anacortes.  7:30 – 10:00 pm.

APRIL:

    • Wednesday April 2 – JOAN PENNEY QUINTET @ Rockfish Grill, Anacortes.  6:00 – 8:45 pm.
    • Friday April 4 – THE FAT FRIDAYS @ 3rd Place Commons, Lake Forest Park.  7:00 – 8:45 pm.
    • Monday April 14 – THE FAT FRIDAYS @ Angel of the Winds Casino, Arlington.  11:00 am – 3:00 pm.
    • Saturday April 19 – HERDING KATS @ Anacortes Depot Arts Center (swing dance).
    • Friday April 25 – HERDING KATS @ Orlando’s BBQ Restaurant, Oak Harbor.  8-10 pm.

MAY:

    • Friday May 2 – WHISTLE LAKE JAZZ QUARTET @ Anacortes Jazz Walk.  Blackbird Wine Bar, time TBD.
    • Wednesday May 7 – WHISTLE LAKE JAZZ QUARTET @ Rockfish Grill, Anacortes.  6:00 – 8:45 pm.
    • Saturday May 10 – MIKE FAAST TRIO @ Volli Sports Bar, Marysville.  7:00 – 10:00 pm.
    • Monday May 12 – THE FAT FRIDAYS @ Angel of the Winds Casino, Arlington.  11:00 am – 3:00 pm.
    • Saturday May 17 – THE FAT FRIDAYS @ Old Edison Inn.  8:00 – 10:15 pm.
    • Sunday May 18 – JAZZVOX House Concert @ Chez Carr Camano – Emile Claire-Barlow.
    • Sunday May 18 – A’TOWN BIG BAND @ McIntyre Hall, Skagit Valley Community College, Mount Vernon.  A joint concert with Skagit Community Band, featuring a performance of George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue”.