02.21.2024

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Today’s Forecast

🎺 All that jazz

All that jazz: How Quincy Jones got his start in Seattle

A black and white photo of Quincy Jones in a jacket and tie surrounded by members of the Garfield High marching band

Quincy Jones hung with Garfield High band members during a visit in November 1982. | Photo by Grant M. Haller via MOHAI, Seattle Post-Intelligencer Collection, 2000.107.101.11.01

Note for note, there may be no equal to jazz legend and Garfield High alum Quincy Jones.

Over his 70-year career, the composer has racked up 28 Grammy Awards out of 80 nominations, arranged the scores of almost 40 flicks, and worked closely with the likes of Frank Sinatra and Michael Jackson.

Is it any wonder why he’s on our Mount Rushmore of Seattle Music? Though he was born in Chicago, Jones spent his formative years here and continues to influence the budding artists of our city.

Let’s look to see where he’s left his melodic mark.

Sinclair Heights Armory

Jones was about 10 years old when his father moved the family to Kitsap County to find work at a naval shipyard, as did hundreds of other Black families. One night, Jones broke into a Sinclair Heights armory with a few friends and started tinkering with a piano — he later recalled it as a key moment in his musical awakening.

A building of glass and steel with a sign outside the entrance that says Quincy Jones Performance Center — Garfield High dedicated its performing arts center to Quincy Jones in 2008.
|
Photo via Wikimedia Commons

Garfield High School

A few years after moving to Washington, Jones enrolled at Garfield and became an accomplished trumpet player. During that time, he joined a swing band with friends that was eventually run by famed promoter Bumps Blackwell. Jones and the band first played during lunch breaks at the high school, but soon got more prominent gigs backing up touring jazz icons like Billie Holiday.

The Black Elks Club

This Black community club that used to be on South Jackson Street stands out as the setting for one of Jones’ major collaborations. It was here that the 14-year-old trumpeter met the then-unknown Ray Charles and formed a lasting friendship.

Jones went on to fame and fortune after leaving Seattle, but never forgot his roots. He’s made return visits to his alma mater and recently donated $50,000 to the Washington Middle School band to keep the institution’s jazz program alive.

Asked

Which big-screen musical did Quincy Jones score an Oscar nomination for in 1979?

A) “The Color Purple”
B) “Chicago”
C) “The Wiz”
D) “Music Man”

Take a guess

Events

Wednesday, Feb. 21

Fix-It Night | Wednesday, Feb. 21 | 5-8 p.m. | Shoreline Tool Library, 16610 Aurora Ave. N., Shoreline | Free | Bring in a broken household item and learn how to repair it yourself with tools provided.
Master Debaters | Wednesday, Feb. 21 | 8:30-10 p.m. | Capitol Hill Comedy/Bar, 210 Broadway E., Seattle | $15 | Watch stand-ups argue over odd topics across seven rounds of different debate formats, including a rap battle.

Thursday, Feb. 22

Thrifty Thursdays: Pop-up Thrift and Vintage Shopping | Thursday, Feb. 22 | 12-8 p.m. | Black Arts Love Gallery and Marketplace, 417 E. Pike St., Seattle | Free | Peruse a variety of local vendors selling lightly used clothes, jewelry, accessories, and more.
Classic Movie and Wine Night | Thursday, Feb. 22 | 8-11 p.m. | Capitol Cider, 818 E Pike St., Seattle | $20 | Sip on flights and watch the 1967 Audrey Hepburn classic “Two for the Road” followed by a brief post-film chat.

Friday, Feb. 23

Hot Heels: “RuPaul’s Drag Race” Viewing Party | Friday, Feb. 23 | 6-9:45 p.m. | Kremwerk, 1809 Minor Ave., Seattle | Free | Special guest Skarlet Dior Black leads a lively discussion of the reality show’s 16th season — RSVP ahead of time and get 50% off a boozy slushie.
“James & Joni: Their Stories, Their Songs” | Friday, Feb. 23 | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | Kent-Meridian Performing Arts Center, 10020 SE 256th St., Kent | $20-$30 | The Live from Laurel Canyon band honors songwriting legends James Taylor and Joni Mitchell through a mix of music and narratives.

Saturday, Feb. 24

Winter Food Truck and Beer Festival | Saturday, Feb. 24 | 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. | Alki Beach Park Bathhouse, 2701 Alki Ave. SW, Seattle | $20-$35 | Cheer on polar plungers at the charity event with 20 local beers and ciders on tap paired with snacks.
Sneaker Con | Saturday, Feb. 24 | 12-7 p.m. | Seattle Convention Center, 705 Pike St., Seattle | $30-$32.50 | Lace up for the 15th anniversary of the shoe-gazing show, featuring the hottest designers and eye-popping custom kicks.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Civic

Mayor Bruce Harrell delivered his State of the City address yesterday. He touted “innovation” in new civic policies, including an affordable housing proposal at Fort Lawton. In addition, Mayor Harrell said that the city’s community-driven CARE department will be expanded before also pledging to bring back the Sonics.

Concert

Ready to go wild? ZooTunes announced the 2024 lineup for its popular summer concert series with acts that include the Roots, Norah Jones, and the Decemberists. Tickets for all the shows go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 23. (Seattle Times)

Coming Soon

Afro-Caribbean street food pop-up Lenox plans to open a new restaurant in Belltown. Chef Jhonny Reyes — a former “Chopped” winner — is taking over the space at 2510 First Ave. (formerly Jerk Shack) with dishes like ropa vieja and Cubans. Look for it to open in mid-May. (Eater Seattle)

Development

On Monday, Feb. 26 there will be an early design review meeting for the site that was once the iconic Guild 45th Theater. Seattle architecture firm Clark Barnes outlined three proposals for a five-story, mixed-use building with 80 apartment units. (Wallyhood)

Closed

It looks like the Boca restaurant group is shutting down permanently after the death of founder Marco Casas-Beaux. Because of legal complications, Casas-Beaux’s daughter was not able to retain control of the business. Boca has a steakhouse and a bakery in Capitol Hill and a Belltown grill. (Capitol Hill Seattle)

Real Estate

A major office campus in South Lake Union recently sold for $47.5 million, which is less than half of the property’s assessed value. The 1000 and 1100 Dexter buildings house tenants like tech company BlackSky Technology Inc. and cybersecurity firm Teleion. (Puget Sound Business Journal)

Drink

Fremont Brewing is taking off with a new Alaska Airlines collaboration. The Cloud Cruiser IPA, which has melon and citrus flavors, is the first beer custom-made exclusively for the airline. It’s now available on all Alaska flights and the company’s Sea-Tac lounge. (KING 5)

Sports

Will the Mariners pursue free agent third baseman Matt Chapman? Hear about the latest chatter from Spring Training from local experts on Locked On’s daily, Mariners-focused podcast.

Sports

🛼 Just roll with it

Seattle’s Rat City Roller Derby celebrates 20th anniversary

Two roller derby skaters get close to each other on the track

Rat City Roller Derby will have bouts through April. | Photo by R.L. Johnson

Blow out the candles — the Rat City Roller Derby is celebrating its 20th anniversary.

After a debut “mashup” brawl in January at White Center’s Southgate Roller Rink, the first home opener of the special year takes place Saturday, Feb. 26 at Edmonds Community College.

In 2004, the Rat City Rollergirls league was created in White Center with four Seattle-based teams. It was one of the founding leagues for the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association, an organization that sets the standards, rankings, and rules for the sport.

The league re-branded as Rat City Roller Derby in 2017 and moved to Shoreline briefly. Rat City returned to White Center in 2022, but teams play at a variety of area venues.

On Saturday, Seattle’s Derby Liberation Front takes on guests Overbeaters Anonymous, followed by longtime local squads Grave Danger versus Throttle Rockets.

Tickets are still available — and keep an eye out for more bouts this spring.

More Roller Derby history

The Buy

The Buy 2.21.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

A comfy fit to curl up in while it’s still sweatshirt and hoodie season. We love: this pink + lime crop by East of These and this Blue Ridge Parkway sweatshirt from Burlaep.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Gabe

From the editor

Want to look on the bright side? We’re less than two weeks away from springing those clocks forward for Daylight Saving Time. And, yes, there’s still an effort in Washington to end the back and forth. In the meantime, I’ll hang on to my SAD (seasonal affective disorder) lamp.

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