The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper The Spokesman-Review
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883
Current Temperature
51°F
Current Conditions
Few clouds
View complete weather report
Subscribe now

Think Swing! serves up three courses of jazz, blues

Washboard Chaz will perform Saturday at 2 p.m., and again that night at 9. Photo courtesy of Think Swing! (Photo courtesy of Think Swing! / The Spokesman-Review)
Correspondent

In its fourth year, the Think Swing! Jazz and Blues Festival is adding a couple of new twists.

Spokane’s annual vintage swing festival maintains its comprehensive focus of music ranging from the cradle of New Orleans jazz to Delta blues and modernized Kansas City swing.

But this year that musical history lesson happens in a series of three concerts squeezed into one day, highlighted by The Shanghai Woolies (led by Pink Martini trumpet player Gavin Bondy) and the return of New Orleans artists Washboard Chaz and St. Louis Slim.

There also will be a dinner concert, with catering provided by The Glover Mansion, and a no-host bar available all day at The Lincoln Center.

This year Think Swing! is donating proceeds to the Susan G. Komen Eastern Washington Race for the Cure, supporting the fight against breast cancer.

Here’s the full schedule:

•Session I, 2 p.m.: Washboard Chaz, The Pete Peterson Septet, Hot Club of Spokane.

For his first return to Spokane since the inaugural Think Swing! festival, Washboard Chaz is backed by fellow New Orleans players St. Louis Slim and Robert Snow, a fourth-generation New Orleans musician whose great-grandfather was there for the birth of jazz. The trio performs Delta and country blues.

Tickets: $20.

•Session II, 5:30 p.m.: 6 Foot Swing, The Shanghai Woolies

Described as traditional jazz meets Jimi Hendrix, The Shanghai Woolies gives a little rock ’n’ roll flavor to the mix by adding a touch of electric guitar to traditional jazz instrumentation.

Tickets: $49 (includes buffet dinner).

•Session III, 9 p.m.: Washboard Chaz, The Pete Peterson Septet, Hot Club of Spokane.

For Think Swing!’s grand finale, the Hot Club of Spokane joins forces with Washboard Chaz’s trio for a swing revue that moves from early blues to all-out swing. Returning from 2008’s Think Swing! is Pete Peterson’s septet, which is joined by local piano master Brent Edstrom and 6 Foot Swing singer Heather O’Brien.

Tickets: $20.

For more information visit www.thinkswingspokane.com.