Swedish Pancake Jazz Brunch at Ballard Jazz Festival, April 23, 2011

ABOUT THIS SHOW:
LOCATION: The Nordic Heritage Museum, 3014 NW 67th St, Seattle {map it}
DATE / TIME: Saturday, April 23, seatings at 10:30am and Noon
TICKETS: $18 non-Museum members; $45 family of 4-pack
Buy in Advance: $15 and $40

Gail Pettis Quartet

featuring: Gail Pettis - vocals; Bram Weijters - piano;
Clark Sommers - bass; Kobie Watkins - drums

“...a retro air that hints at the silken sophistication and storytelling elan of the young Nancy Wilson...”
- CHRISTOPHER LOUDON, JAZZTIMES

Come recover from Friday's Jazz Walk, and prepare for the Mainstage concert, by having a truly Ballard experience at the Swedish Pancake Jazz Brunch featuring vocalist Gail Pettis.

Four-time nominee and 2007 winner of Earshot Golden Ear Awards "Northwest Vocalist of the Year," Gail's rich, warm vocals and understated phrasing have been described as "deliciously soulful" by Cadence Magazine and have inspired comparisons to Nancy Wilson, Sarah Vaughn and Carmen McRae. With an exquisitely subtle three-and-a-half-octave approach to the Great American Songbook, Gail developed a loyal following as her debut recording "May I Come In?" received international play throughout 2007. "Here in the Moment," her follow-up release of 2010, was one of the top recordings of the year on American jazz radio and its 4-star review in Downbeat magazine earned it a feature spot in their year-end issue. Whether traveling, performing closer to home or spending time in the recording studio, Gail continues to value the freedom of personal expression she finds in music. "For me, emotion is the the currency of jazz. Over the years, I have learned that wearing your heart on your sleeve is not always the best approach to every life situation, but within the context of music, vulnerability always feels right."

Accompanying Gail is an international trio of world class musicians - Belgian pianist Bram Weijters is an inspired performer who tours throughout Europe from his home in Antwerp. Bassist Clark Sommers has been a fixture on the Chicago jazz scene for many years and presently tours with vocalist Kurt Elling. Also from Chicago, drummer Kobie Watkins is a member of the legendary Sonny Rollins band and has also toured & recorded extensively with guitarist Bobby Broom and with Kurt Elling.