Category: Blog

We have a couple weeks off, during which time JD and I are taking a short and much needed vacation, and the band is going to work up some new repertoire. Our next gigs are a party for the architecture firm of GGLO on the 29th, and Krista & Brook’s wedding at the Clise Mansion at Marymoor Park in Redmond.

Full reports will be forthcoming…

Vashon Island gigs never fail to provide us with excitement and intrigue, and this one was no different!

We were there to play at the Vashon Allied Arts Annual Art Auction and Gala. About 100 Vashon artists submitted works in all sorts of media. The Gala was held at the Blue Heron Art Center, and because of the venue, they asked each participating artist to design a heron.

Since the band all lives on the mainland, we had planned to carpool and catch the 4:40pm ferry to Vashon. George and I went in his car, and Troy and Jim came in Troy’s. I met George at about 4pm in the ferry line. We missed the 4:40, but got on the 5pm ferry. So far so good. That would give us plenty of time to get there, set up, soundcheck, and be ready for the 6:30pm downbeat.

But just after we got in the line, I got a call from Troy. They had tried to get from downtown to Fauntleroy, and got held up when the lower bridge to W. Seattle was up for passing ships. He said they were hightailing it, and would hopefully catch the 5pm as well. My heartbeat quickened a bit, but I wasn’t too worried about it. Troy is never late. Never.

Well, George and I got settled in on the 5p, and after he showed me how his spiffy GPS system works in his car, we headed up to the main deck. It was a beautiful, crisp late-summer day, and a perfect time to be on the water. Just as I was admiring the view of Puget Sound and the islands, my phone rang again, and Troy was on the other side. He told me they got all the way to the front of the line and were about to board the ferry when they were stopped, and all the city busses and work trucks were let ahead of them, filling the boat, and leaving them in the first position for the next ferry, which wasn’t until 5:40p. At first I thought he was pulling my leg and trying to be funny (NOT funny!). But he wasn’t joking.

Luckily, George and I have played a bunch of duo gigs, so we got to the Blue Heron, set up, and played a few tunes just the two of us. Troy and Jim arrived at about 6:35, got set up as quickly as possible, and I don’t think anyone even realized that it was supposed to be any different! Good thing I work with pros…

The event itself was great. Tons of cool, artsy island people, lots of interesting work, and good food and drink. There was also a very funny and entertaining Auctioneer named Larry. He sang, whistled, cajoled, barked, sweet-talked and revved up the crowd.

After we played, we stuck around for a while, but then decided to get drinks and dinner with my friends and island residents Ainslie & Lisa. Ainslie and I play together in a band called Soul Provider, and Lisa is my web and graphic designer. They are originally British, but have been in the states for years. I don’t get to see them as often as I’d like, so it was nice to spend an evening catching up. Lisa’s mom Sandra was in town from Manchester, and she’s a hoot, so that was fun too. And the whole band stuck around to add to the merriment. I had only met Jim once before, so it was also nice to get to know him a little better.

All in all, we had another fun, albeit chaotic, trip to the island. We were received very well, as always, and Barbara, the organizer of the event, said they would definitely ask us back. The gallery even has a beautiful baby grand piano, which will make Josh happy!

We’re all set to play the Vashon Allied Arts Annual Art Auction. Called “Art Takes Flight”, this gala celebration and fundraiser will bring together the best artists on the Island, and we’ll provide the soundtrack from 6:30-8:00pm at The Blue Heron Art Center.

Neither Donovan or Josh could make this one, so joining Troy and me will be George Stone on guitar and Jim Parsons on drums. I’ve played with George a bunch, and Troy has played with Jim, but the four of us have never played together before. It’s always interesting to see how musicians deal with new situations. You never know where it might take you.

We always have a great time playing on Vashon, and I’m sure this will be no different. I’ll have pictures and a complete wrap-up by the end of the weekend.

Being the cybergeek that I am, I have read many blogs over the last couple years. I have been entertained sometimes, but mostly I find blogs to be a bit boring and self-serving. Who really wants to know what I had for breakfast or see my hundred’s of vacation photos?? Well, my mom, maybe.

But after seeing a friend’s blog of the weddings he has worked, and after a suggestion from JD, I decided that it might be cool to have a blog that chronicles the activities of my band, The Jason Parker Quartet. We play some amazing shows, be they weddings, fundraisers or club dates. There’s always something wacky and interesting that happens.

So, this blog will allow you to follow the trials and tribulations of a working Jazz band. I hope you’ll find it entertaining. If you have any suggestions on how to make it more entertaining, please let me know.

I’m fresh back from my first expeience as an exhibitor at a trade show. JD and I went to all the shows last year to scope them out, and decided to take a chance on this one, the Seattle Fall Wedding Expo. It was a long, tiring weekend, but acutally quite fun and rewarding. I’ve already booked my first Wedding because of the show (Thanks, Lisa!).

I’m particularly proud of how our booth looked. I must give all credit where credit is due, and tell you that it was designed by JD. She picked the colors, fabrics, give-aways, etc. She keeps saying “It’ll be better next time” but I think it looked pretty darned good this time!

One of the treats of the show was being situated across from Jeff LaPlante, a fantasitc photographer and a super nice guy. He’s a veteran of these shows and was very helpful in getting us through it with a smile on our faces. If you’re looking for a photographer, you should go talk to Jeff.

I also had the opportunity to perform with my band on the mainstage as a prelude to the Fashion Show. Joining me were Josh Rawlings on piano, Nate Omdal on bass and Dvonne Lewis on drums. With a band like that, how could I go wrong? Thanks to the guys for playing with me.

Here’s a couple photos of our Saturday performance, taken by Jeff La Plante: