Fantastic music, food & drinks at the Bellevue Jazz Festival
June 2, 2011
The Bellevue Jazz Festival returns for a fourth year with yet another spectacular lineup. Wednesday June 1 through Sunday June 5 downtown will play host to top international and regional jazz artists who will perform in bars, restaurants, hotels and cultural spaces around town. Each night of the festival features a ticketed show at The Theatre at Meydenbauer Center with renowned artists such as Charles Lloyd, Zakir Hussain, Regina Carter, Chris Potter, Tierney Sutton, Michael Formanek and Luis Perdomo. Also scheduled to perform is the Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra, which will feature an opening performance by the festival’s Rising Stars―standout jazz students from the local area.
Throughout the week festival-goers can also catch over 45 free jazz concerts at some of the hottest venues in downtown Bellevue. These include favorites such as Grand Cru Mixologie Lounge, El Gaucho, John Howie Steak, Wild Ginger, Twisted Cork, LOT No. 3, Cypress Lounge and Wine Bar, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Rock Bottom Brewery, and even a jazz brunch at Z’Tejas Southwestern Grill. View the full schedule of free shows at bellevuejazz.com.
The Bravern’s John Howie Steak will host five of these free shows and in tribute to the Bellevue Jazz Festival, has developed a special June happy hour cocktail―the Benny Goodman Southside Swing. Benny Goodman, known as the “King of Swing”, hailed from Chicago where the original cocktail, the “Southside”, originated. It was created during the prohibition era and became popular in the underground bars and jazz clubs of Chicago’s Southside neighborhood. John Howie Steak’s version of this classic drink is made with Voyager gin, made locally in Woodinville, Cointreau, orange juice, mint, fresh orange and a splash of Peychaud’s Bitters.
Don’t miss out on the chance to experience some outstanding jazz music along with delicious food and drinks at these favorite downtown Bellevue restaurants during the the Bellevue Jazz Festival. For more information about the festival, the free show schedule and to purchase tickets. visit bellevuejazz.com.
by Steve Jones
I am one ardent jazz lover and this festival is one event that I regret missing. I have a large collection of jazz from the giants of jazz including Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Dinah Washington and Benny Goodman.