Maia Santell and House Blend
Performing
at the Tacoma Freedom Fair
JULY 4, 2010 at 12:00 - 1:30 PM
KWJZ MUSIC STAGE at JACK HYDE PARK
Northwest jazz and blues vocalist Maia Santell is known around the region as “The Pacific Northwest Queen of Swing.” A descendant of Seattle’s Jackson Street era of jazz, Santell's mom, dad and uncle were prominent musicians in the Northwest music scene for forty years. Maia’s phrasing and clear, warm, unaffected vocal style can be attributed to her rich musical heritage, including attending Seattle’s Garfield high school, singing in jazz ensembles, musicals and soul bands, and performing at a young age in her uncle’s combo, The Frank Sugia Quartet, which featured such jazz giants as Joe Venuti, Buddy Catlett and Floyd Standifer.
Santell and her band, Maia Santell and House Blend, have been performing for twenty five years at leading venues like Jazz Alley, Jazzbones, Argosy Cruises, Muckleshoot Casino, Studio 6 Ballroom, St. Michelle Wineries and The Tacoma Jazz and Blues Festival. With Ted Dortch on saxophone, Gary Crooks on guitar, Bryce Van Parys on bass and Bruce Simpson on drums, Santell puts on an energetic show that appeals to all ages.
Doug Bright of Seattle’s Heritage Music Review says, “Maia Santell is one of the Northwest's most dynamic and refreshingly believable jazz vocalists. Her voice is warm, clear and natural, and totally free of contrived theatricality. Supported by the seasoned musicians of House Blend, she offers one of the most exhilarating sounds on the Northwest music scene.”
Join Maia Santell and House Blend for a mix of jazz, blues and contemporary favorites at 12 noon on the KWJZ Music Stage at Jack Hyde Park.