Sidemen step into center stage
INHOUSE Jazz will continue the 2024 Season with a concert hosted by vocalist Annie Averre, presenting premiere jazz drummer M. Todd Strait, pianist Greg Goebel and new to the area bassist Garrett Baxter this Sunday, Aug. 18.
This season of INHOUSE concerts highlights “sidemen” as the featured artists. These players are most often in the background supporting a vocalist or solo musician, yet are composers and stellar players in their own right.
Expect jazz standards, originals, a lot of interaction, humor and above all depth of friendships among musicians and audience.
Strait, originally from Kansas City, is the featured musician for this concert. He has been delighting INHOUSE audiences for several summers.
During his 40-year career, he spent 10 years in New York City playing with Marian McPartland, Tal Farlow and a brief tour with Woody Herman's Thundering Herd. During his time in Kansas City, he met Eldar, Karrin Allyson and Kevin Mahogany, leading to national and international travel with each over a 20-year period. His history and experience have brought forth more than one hundred recordings as a sideman, most notably receiving two Grammy nominations with Allyson, one with Eldar and one with Randy Porter and Nancy King. In 2017, Strait released his debut album as a leader, "There'll Be Some Changes Made" featuring Bill Mays, Bob Bowman and Danny Embrey. Now based in Portland, Strait's schedule is focused locally with occasional tours.
The INHOUSE Jazz atmosphere is informal, providing an opportunity for audiences to enjoy an intimate concert free from the noise and distractions often associated with a restaurant or bar. There is no charge for these sessions, but a donation of $15 to $30 is suggested to compensate musicians. Any funds collected beyond expenses are donated in support of local arts and education. The audience is encouraged to bring their own beverages and potluck treats.
The concert is from 2:30 to 5:30 pm. To reserve a space and receive instructions to the location, contact Averre at 360-606-7136.