Friday, Aug. 3

JAZZ KVH

I love it when truly gifted musicians join forces to form a band. All gifted and respected players in their own right, Northwest keyboard extraordinaire Wayne Horvitz, New York saxophonist Briggan Krauss and Vancouver, B.C.,  percussionist Dylan Van der Schyff have done just that for a project they call KVH. The virtual super group plays a form of avant-garde jazz that is completely improvised. In other words, you’re never quite sure what you’ll hear at a given performance.



Wayne Horvitz is a staple in the Northwest music scene but has acquired international acclaim with various projects including Sweeter Than Day, Gravitas Quartet and the defunct Zony Mash.



Cornish graduate Briggan Krauss is well known in the jazz community as reliable, steady and an exceptionally talented sax player. His resume reads like a whose who as he has recorded with the likes of Bill Frisell, Eyvind Kang, Robin Holcomb, Anthony Coleman and Madeski Martin and Wood.



Dylan Van der Schyff is known in his home town as one of the best avant-garde jazz drummers in the city. Often teaming up with cellest Peggy Lee, they both perform and record with the jazz unit Taking Pictures, Toronto’s NOW Orchestra and the Tony Wilson Sextet. — Tony Engelhart

[Art House Designs, 9 p.m., all ages, $10, 420 Franklin St. S.E., Olympia, 360.943.3377]

Saturday, Aug. 4

SWING JAZZ Django’s Cadillac

Gypsy jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt’s nimble fingers enabled him to play very fast but at the same time his tones and textures are not overbearingly complex. Formed out of a collective admiration for the legendary guitarist’s music, Django’s Cadillac plays in the same style but adds an American spin to the music for a sound that ups the ante of the time-honored music. Formed in 2002 with Kat Cogswell (vocals), Rick Hulett (guitar and vocals), Kerry Williams (guitar, mandolin, vocals), Dennis Williams (clarinet) and a killer rhythm section in Larry Wyatt (bass) and Tim Ortlieb (drums), the band quickly won fans over with their unique take on early 20th century jazz. In fact, Cogswell’s ultra chic look and vocal style is plucked straight out of the 1920s. To date, the sextet has released two discs, 2003’s self-titled and 2006’s New Wheels. Both CDs showcase the band’s cool-as-a cucumber continental swing, which treads a fine line between contemporary and vintage. — TE

[Plenty Restaurant, 8 p.m., 200 Forth Ave. W., Olympia, 360.705.3716]

[Jazzbones, Sunday, Aug. 5, 6:30 p.m., all ages, $6-$8, 2803 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.396.9169]

Saturday, Aug. 4

ROCK To Write Love On Her Arms

Have you ever watched the TV show on MTV called “Sweet 16” where spoiled debutants plan lavish birthday parties and behave like completely selfish whack-jobs? Well this is the exact opposite of that. Joey Kniestedt turned 18 and graduated from Eagle View Christian High School in June. Instead of throwing a birthday/graduation party where he would surely be showered with gifts and attention, he asked his parents if he could have a benefit for a charitable organization called “To Write Love on Her Arms.”



He said, “I had seen a TWLOHA booth at this big festival called Creation last year. I did some research on them and just fell in love with the cause.”



TWLOHA started with a story about a girl in Florida named Renee who had depression, self mutilation and addiction issues and the rescue mission her friends launched on her behalf. Their touching 5 day vigil while she detoxed prior to enrolling in rehab was filled with music, understanding and hope. Little did they know their story would spark an international movement which rock bands like Paramore, Switchfoot, Copeland and Between the Trees would support by wearing the TWLOHA T-shirt during their concerts.



Kniestedt, who is not a musician but a fan of local music, asked his mom to help him throw a benefit here in Tacoma and she contacted Club Impact who agreed wholeheartedly to host the event. Kniestedt selected the bands: Theme for Murder, The Formal, A Chance Without, With Honest Eyes and Sights Over Seen.



“When I asked all these bands to play, they were all very very excited about it,” said Kniestedt.

 

The proceeds from the show go first to cover Club Impact’s operational costs that night and then the rest goes to TWLOHA where the money will be used for TWLOHA promotional costs and a fund for what they call “broken people.”



The TWLOHA website (www.twloha.com) explains, “Our goal for 2007 is to contribute $100k to the treatment, recovery and support of young people facing depression, addiction, suicide and self-injury.”



To Write Love on Her Arms is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that operates under the umbrella of Fireproof Ministries.



[Club Impact, with Theme for Murder, The Formal, A Chance Without, With Honest Eyes and Sights Over Seen, Saturday, Aug 4, 7 p.m., all ages,  $8, 754 Pacific Ave., Tacoma]