Brushes And Bass

Name: Brushes And Bass
Start: 2026-05-09T19:30:00-07:00
End: 2026-05-09T21:30:00-07:00
Location: Seattle Jazz Fellowship

Schedule

Sat May 09 2026 at 07:30 pm to 09:30 pm

UTC-07:00

Location

Seattle Jazz Fellowship | Seattle, WA

All shows are 7:30 - 9:30 PM
Admission by Suggested Donation
All seats are first-come, first served
All ages, Free for Members
Doors Open at 6:30 PM
Brushes & Bass Bios
Greg Williamson, brushes
Heather Chriscaden, double bass
Jay Thomas, tenor sax and trumpet
Brent Jensen, soprano and alto sax
Jamie Findlay, guitar
Featuring the lighter side of jazz texture, husband and wife team Williamson & Chriscaden present new arrangements of music with lots of solid bass walking and brushes tipping. Rooted in tradition with a modern and sometimes angular approach, the musical fabric is transparent yet energetic, giving the opportunity to highlight musical friends and guests.
Williamson is both a drummer and a musician - known for his big warm swinging sound - and instigator of the jazz arts, leading several bands including the Pony Boy All-Star Big Band. LA Jazz Scene says “… brooding ... forceful and exciting.. stormy… noteworthy… colorful!” He was member of the bands of Woody Herman Thundering Herd, Ernestine Anderson, Steve Allen’s Tonight Show, and many JazzClubsNW ensembles. He shares his love of music as a teacher and author, and has taught at WWU and CWU.
Chriscaden is a performer and educator dedicated to a big acoustic sound. She grew up in the Pacific Northwest, where her early influences included lessons with jazz greats Ray Brown and John Clayton. Her career has included diverse facets such as college music theory faculty, New York, world-wide appearances with klezmer bands, and recently the Pony Boy All-Star Big Band. Earshot Jazz says “Chriscaden’s journey in jazz has taken her all over the Pacific Northwest, out to New York, and around the world.”
Their new Pony Boy Records release “Brushes & Bass - Volume One: In A Mellow Tone” features Jay Thomas and Brent Jensen.
Media Preview Player: https://promo.theorchard.com/Lxf0pzMS8skhUu0hklXE
featured guests:
Jay Thomas is a living slice of NW Jazz history. He has lent and led on both saxophones and trumpet, with the likes of Slim Gaillard, Herb Ellis, Bud Shank, and more. Awards and accolades abound from Downbeat and Earshot Jazz Magazines. Besides his McVouty Label releases, he appears on several Pony Boy Records sides. He is also an active educator, passing the music on to future generations.
Brent Jensen has recorded and performed with a wide range of jazz artists including Gene Harris and Bobby Shew. A native of the PNW, he was Jazz Department director at College of Southern Idaho, and recently returned to the west side. He is a consummate student of the styles of Paul Desmond (Dave Brubeck Quartet) and Thelonious Monk. His recording, “The Sound of a Dry Martini: Remembering Paul Desmond” charted at the #1 position on jazz radio stations across the country.
Jamie Findlay is a guitarist of fine taste and inflection, informed by his calm and wise demeanor. His music is flavored by many styles from jazz and blues to pop and funk. He taught jazz guitar at both USC and MIT in Hollywood, before returning to the peaceful shores of the PNW. Acoustic Guitar Magazine says “This nimble fingered guitarist delivers a rare treat… both sweetly melodic and hot.”