Fri, Dec 1, 2023, 12:00 PM PSTTHE RAINIER QUARTET in a Free Noontime "Fridays at the First" Concert
First Christian Church, Olympia, WA
Back by Request: THE RAINIER QUARTET plays Straight Ahead Jazz, Jazz Fusion, and Latin by greats such as Sonny Rollins, Wayne Shorter, and Freddie Hubbard, as well as complex originals. Their eponymous first album, released in May, is available on Bandcamp and music streaming services including Spotify, ITunes, YouTube and Amazon Music and more.
Ben Martin, Saxophone, is a music education alum of PLU. A multi-instrumentalist, he also plays piano and drums. In addition to performing with Rainier Quartet, he performs with many other talented musicians around the Pacific Northwest. Ben is a private music instructor and is the Worship Director at Christ the Servant Lutheran Church in Lacey.
Josh Green, Bass, is a composer and multi-instrumentalist specializing in saxophone and bass. He studied music composition at PLU under Dr. Gregory Youtz and Dr. Cassio Vianna. He studied saxophone under Dr. Erik Steighner and Dr. “Doc” Miller. He has also studied bass under Osama Afifi. Josh performs in the Tacoma area with several groups, and plays genres including Classical, Jazz, Gospel, Latin, Reggae, and Rock.
Josh Hansel, Drums, is originally from Idaho Falls, ID. He performs a multitude of styles including Jazz, Rock, Funk, Calypso, Latin, and Classical. He earned his Bachelor of Music at PLU, studying with Miho Takekawa, Mark Ivester, and Cassio Vianna. Currently, he gigs regularly with the Rainier Quartet, Steel Rain (pan/drums), and Race to the Light.
Felix Halvorson, Guitar, graduated from PLU in 2023 with a B.A. in English-Writing and a B.A.C. in Communication. While at PLU he performed with the University's nationally acclaimed jazz band. He is an accomplished jazz composer, and one of his pieces will be included in the upcoming concert. In addition to performing with The Rainier Quartet, Felix was one of the featured players in the Rock Vespers Band at St. Mark Lutheran Church.
2 attendees
Fri, Dec 1, 2023, 6:30 PM PSTThe Joe Mailhot Jazz Duet at Basilico
Basilico Ristorante, Olympia, WA
The Joe Mailhot Jazz Duet plays from 6:30 to 8:30 pm Fridays at Basilico Ristorante 507 Capitol Way South in Olympia. The Jazz Duet plays an eclectic mix of jazz standards, tunes by the masters, pop tunes arranged for jazz duet and original jazz inspired by the work of the masters including Thelonious Monk, Miles Davis, John Coltrane and Ornette Coleman, as well as originals from some of our local composers. Call 570 8777 for reservations.
1 attendee
Mon, Dec 4, 2023, 7:00 PM PSTGreta Matassa Quintet @ Eagles
Needs location
“Matassa’s performance was a marvel of virtuosity.”

– LOS ANGELES TIMES
In the Pacific Northwest, where she built her career, Greta Matassa wins wide acclaim; 8 times, the readers of Earshot, the Seattle jazz magazine, have voted her the best jazz vocalist in the Northwest, including 2021!

She was inducted into the Seattle Jazz Hall of Fame in 2014. Jim Wilke, the Seattle jazz maven and host of the syndicated “Jazz After Hours” radio program, praises her versatility. “She has a fearlessness in approaching material,” Wilke says, “that makes her like an instrumentalist in a jam session.”
Her 40 year career has been a whirlwind of exciting opportunities and experiences. Over the last 20 years she has become established as one of the greatest jazz singers of her time. Working with top jazz musicians in Los Angeles, Chicago and New York. In 2016 She was featured with bassist John Clayton’s group in a centennial tribute to Ella Fitzgerald.
She has recorded 11 CD’s. Her latest release “Portrait” on Origin Records is receiving rave reviews.
https://gretamatassa.com/

Greta Matassa - vocalist
David Lee Joyner - piano
Clipper Anderson - bass
Mark Ivester - drums
Alexey Nikolaev - sax

WINTER HOURS
7:00pm - 9:30pm
Suggested $10-25 (CASH only)
no one turned away for lack of funds.
All ages until 9pm

IMPORTANT ADMISSION INFO:
To be a guest, RSVP HERE.
Eagles is a private club, Monday concert series is for members and guests only (and guests can only be signed in 6 times in a year; yes, we have to keep track)!
So we are encouraging our OJC members to join the Eagles for unlimited access to the concerts and to help support the vital upgrades to this venue.

If you have a question, please post it here or email olyjazzcentral@gmail.com

About Olympia Jazz Central
The Olympia Jazz Central mission is to sustain and support South Sound Jazz events such as concerts, education/workshops, artist collaboration and more. OJC also sponsors a youth scholarship program. We've been connecting musicians with audiences, teachers with students and just gettin' in the groove together since 2009.
Olympia Jazz Central is a 501C3. We are 100% volunteer operated and we rely on donations to keep the jazz train chuggin' along.
5 attendees
Mon, Dec 4, 2023, 9:00 PM PSTFree Jazz with Fred on KAOS Radio 89.3
KAOS 89.3 FM, Olympia, WA
with Fred Kellogg Jazz for the thinking listener. Current and classic avant-garde, modal and free jazz.
Wed, Dec 6, 2023, 5:00 PM PSTVince Brown @ Swing Wine Bar & Cafe every Wednesday
Swing Wine Bar, Olympia, WA
Vince Brown has been performing and teaching acoustic music on guitar, tenor, 5-string banjo, and uke in a variety of styles for 30 years. You can enjoy his music every Wednesday at Swing Wine Bar & Cafe, home of the best crafted cocktail in Olympia!
1 attendee
Wed, Dec 6, 2023, 5:30 PM PSTSmoocho Gusto at Cascadia Grill
Cascadia Grill, Olympia, WA
Smoocho Gusto is currently performing on Wednesday evenings, 5:30-8pm, at Cascadia Grill in downtown Olympia. Lorree Gardener plays string bass and sings and Steve Luceno plays guitar and sings. They play many of Steve’s original compositions, along with songs written by other local composers. They also choose favorites from Public Domain. Come hear their variety of grooves and enjoy all that Cascadia Grill has to offer!
1 attendee
Fri, Dec 8, 2023, 6:30 PM PSTThe Joe Mailhot Jazz Duet at Basilico
Basilico Ristorante, Olympia, WA
The Joe Mailhot Jazz Duet plays from 6:30 to 8:30 pm Fridays at Basilico Ristorante 507 Capitol Way South in Olympia. The Jazz Duet plays an eclectic mix of jazz standards, tunes by the masters, pop tunes arranged for jazz duet and original jazz inspired by the work of the masters including Thelonious Monk, Miles Davis, John Coltrane and Ornette Coleman, as well as originals from some of our local composers. Call 570 8777 for reservations.
1 attendee
Mon, Dec 11, 2023, 9:00 PM PSTFree Jazz with Fred on KAOS Radio 89.3
KAOS 89.3 FM, Olympia, WA
with Fred Kellogg Jazz for the thinking listener. Current and classic avant-garde, modal and free jazz.
Wed, Dec 13, 2023, 5:00 PM PSTVince Brown @ Swing Wine Bar & Cafe every Wednesday
Swing Wine Bar, Olympia, WA
Vince Brown has been performing and teaching acoustic music on guitar, tenor, 5-string banjo, and uke in a variety of styles for 30 years. You can enjoy his music every Wednesday at Swing Wine Bar & Cafe, home of the best crafted cocktail in Olympia!
1 attendee
Wed, Dec 13, 2023, 5:30 PM PSTSmoocho Gusto at Cascadia Grill
Cascadia Grill, Olympia, WA
Smoocho Gusto is currently performing on Wednesday evenings, 5:30-8pm, at Cascadia Grill in downtown Olympia. Lorree Gardener plays string bass and sings and Steve Luceno plays guitar and sings. They play many of Steve’s original compositions, along with songs written by other local composers. They also choose favorites from Public Domain. Come hear their variety of grooves and enjoy all that Cascadia Grill has to offer!
1 attendee

Olympia Jazz Central