Gallery 1412
June 11th, of Evergreen alum and Kaos jazz buff Fred Kellog invited me to our annual live jazz event. All I knew was that I was invited to the "Free Jazz Festival." I thought it would be fun to get dressed up, bring a girlfriend and go yak it up with a bunch of lively jazz buffs. We went to a tiny art venue called Gallery 1412, off of 18th and Union, in the same obscure row of a 2-chair barbarshop and a "christian youth ministry." Located at: Gallery 1412 1412 18th Ave Seattle, WA 206.322.1533.
My preconcieved idea on this one was way off. My girlfriend Beth and I drove over there, puzzled to find a tiny shop-space with a paper sign sort of haphazardly pasted over another sign. It looked like it was made out of that reverse side of a brown, paper grocery store bag. There was a gated door that was locked, the windows where covered. There was one other guy standing there waiting to get it. It was a cold, windy night, and we were underdressed. Finally, someone opened the door, shushing us to be quiet as we paid. Music was in progress, emitting from 3 young men with: tenor sax, piano, and drum kit. For an hour, I sat on a hard, metal chair, in the corner of this dark room, listening to unexpectedly disjointed, sporadic music and being subjected to weird smells, like the spit-trap on the saxaphone, stale beer and the guy sitting next to me. Free Jazz refers to "free from convention," a.k.a. noise. After about 40 minutes, I really sort of wanted to flee the room, I found it grating my nerves, that I was in a traditional setting with a glass of pinot. After the show, of course I told my friend of my perspective. He laughed and said "I got you!" Positively, I have to say that going to the gallery allowed me to experience something utterly new and unexpected. If I wanted to blow someone's mind, or just go experienc modern sound, I now know where to go. Even if you are not a "free jazz" type of person, I still think it's important to be aware of and support truly alternative culture.
Gallery 1412 is a musician-run collective dedicated to presenting local, regional, national, and international new music in an intimate listening environment. You can subscribe to their e-newletter at the site and get info on bookings and upcoming artists.
My preconcieved idea on this one was way off. My girlfriend Beth and I drove over there, puzzled to find a tiny shop-space with a paper sign sort of haphazardly pasted over another sign. It looked like it was made out of that reverse side of a brown, paper grocery store bag. There was a gated door that was locked, the windows where covered. There was one other guy standing there waiting to get it. It was a cold, windy night, and we were underdressed. Finally, someone opened the door, shushing us to be quiet as we paid. Music was in progress, emitting from 3 young men with: tenor sax, piano, and drum kit. For an hour, I sat on a hard, metal chair, in the corner of this dark room, listening to unexpectedly disjointed, sporadic music and being subjected to weird smells, like the spit-trap on the saxaphone, stale beer and the guy sitting next to me. Free Jazz refers to "free from convention," a.k.a. noise. After about 40 minutes, I really sort of wanted to flee the room, I found it grating my nerves, that I was in a traditional setting with a glass of pinot. After the show, of course I told my friend of my perspective. He laughed and said "I got you!" Positively, I have to say that going to the gallery allowed me to experience something utterly new and unexpected. If I wanted to blow someone's mind, or just go experienc modern sound, I now know where to go. Even if you are not a "free jazz" type of person, I still think it's important to be aware of and support truly alternative culture.
Gallery 1412 is a musician-run collective dedicated to presenting local, regional, national, and international new music in an intimate listening environment. You can subscribe to their e-newletter at the site and get info on bookings and upcoming artists.
