On a hot August night I ventured to SE Seattle to see the highly pedigreed Western Standard Time Ska Orchestra. This outfit, fronted by Greg Lee (of Hep Cat fame) was a combination of a big jazz band, a ska band and modern mixed in with old and traditional. Greg Lee was fascinating to watch. When he wasn’t singing into the mic, he was dancing about the stage non-stop. He literally dripped with charisma (it may have looked like sweat, but I’m convinced it was charisma dripping off him).
All in all there were more than a dozen musicians on the stage and all the horn players took turns coming to the front of the stage for a solo while Greg danced around them.
They ended their set with the classic Guns of Navarone and there wasn’t a still body in the house. The tiny Columbia City Theater was packed. The 100-year-old plus theater wasn’t well ventilated, and seemed to be much hotter toward the stage, but it was the perfect place to hold this concert. The theater played a major role in the Seattle Jazz boom in the 40’s and hosted such legends as Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Quincy Jones and Fats Waller. Western Standard Time Ska Orchestra is comprised of some of the finest musicians not only in the US, but the entire world, many of whom have played with legendary acts. I’m sure when it was all over the only reason Greg didn’t stick to the stage after dripping with so much charisma is because his feet were never still. I am still basking in the glow of such a fun show. Besides, Lee, Western Standard Time Ska Orchestra is comprised of the following very talented musicians:
Eitan Avineri trumpet and bandleader, Brian Dixon guitar, Scott Abels drums, Gary Wicks bass, Jake Sele piano, Trombones-Jonah Levine, Roy Brown, Nick Ruof, Nathan Vetter. Alto saxes- Robert Dove, Alex Dugdale Tenor Saxes- Brian Wallace, Brian Bermudez. Bari Sax- Kate Olson. Trumpets- Eitan Avineri, Mike Dorr, Jared Hall, Bill Jones.
But the evening was not just graced with one band. Prior to the headliners was Seattle’s own Georgetown Orbits. The Georgetown Orbits are always a treat. They’re the kind of band you just want to close your eyes to and soak up the sound they put forth. Watching the Georgetown Orbits should be prescribed for anyone wanting to forget about the stresses of their every-day lives. They are nectar for the soul. They have a brand-new CD out called Solar Flares, so if you can’t make it to one of their shows, just go to their band page and order up the new CD. GT Orbits are, Orion Anderson – Guitar , Cale Wilcox – Bass,Timmy Conroy – Vocals/Keys/Trumpet , Sean Jensen – Saxophone, Harald Bell – Drums , Colin Pulkrabek – Trombone.
Gracing the stage before Georgetown Orbits was the Seattleites. It’s been awhile since I saw them play, but they never disappoint. The Seattleites are mostly an instrumental band with stellar musicianship and a good steady energy. Their drummer (Zach Barnhart) was no slouch in the charisma department either and their trumpet player (Bill Jones) was dancing about the stage when not tooting his horn. They kept everyone on that dance floor moving and it was difficult to tell who was having more fun, the band or the audience. The remaining Seattleites are, Joe Kaufman bass, Bill Patton guitar, Tristan Gianola guitar, Jake Sele keys, Brian Bermudez tenor sax, Joseph Quinones lead vox/trombone, Emma Bitter vox, Curtis Irie vox.
Opening the entire evening was Portland’s Bandulus. The Bandulus are more rhythm and blues influence with a few hints of ska, but they blended in perfectly with the other bands of the night. Jeremy Pena – Vocals/Guitar/Keys – has a voice that’s a combination of sandpaper and glass and is complemented by the two women in the band Leah Farmer and Emma Bitter) who not only provided succulent harmonies, but twisted and bounced about the stage, almost stealing the show with their undying charm. Emma sang lead on one song this night with vocals that were gutsy and soulful. I hope to see the Bandulus again very soon. They are a pleasure to witness. The remaining members of the Bandulus are, Curtis Irie – Bass, Morgan Smith – Drums, Anthony Cotham – Keys, Blake Hoshibata – Guitar.
Despite the intense heat, this was a spectacular show. I only hope that Hepcat will give Seattle the privilege of one of their shows. They seem to play everywhere else but here.
– Photos property of Holly Homan, all rights reserved.
