Award-winning jazz trio plays First Sundays concert

Bill Anschell returns to the Bainbridge Commons April 3 as part of the First Sundays at the Commons series. Anschell, who just received his second nod as Northwest Jazz Instrumentalist of the Year, played the Commons several years ago and loved it.

“We had fun. It’s a nice setting, a great piano, and an audience that’s there to hear jazz – everything jazz musicians like to have,” he said.

A Seattle native, Anschell spent 25 years studying composing and performing across the country and around the world. He returned to Seattle in 2002, where he’s been enlivening the Northwest jazz scene ever since. As the band’s leader, he is a double threat, triple threat, quadruple threat, and a multi-talented, multi-faceted musician’s musician.

Joining Anschell is Chuck Deardorf on bass and Gary Hobbs on drums. Deardorf was inducted into the Jazz Hall of Fame at the same awards ceremony where Anschell received his honor.

“It’s a vote of confidence from your peers. It feels good,” Anschell said of the honors. Sunday’s configuration, one of three trios Anschell plays with, was named Best Northwest Acoustic Jazz Ensemble in 2006.

At Sundays gig, the trio will play a variety of jazz standards along with a sampling of original compositions by Anschell.

He also said the casual format of the Commons allows for a more intimate connection with the audience. He doesn’t plan speeches in between songs, he said, but instead invites questions and comments from the audience.

Tickets are $20 general admission, $15 seniors and $10 youth, and are available at www.brownpapertickets.com.

For more information, visit www.firstsundaysconcerts.org and www.billanschell.com.

 

Three’s a charm

The Bill Anschell Trio performs at 4 p.m. April 3 at the Bainbridge Commons as part of the 2011 Sundays at the Commons series.  Cost: $20 general, $15 seniors and $10 youth. Tickets are available at www.brownpapertickets.com.

For more information, visit www.firstsundaysconcerts.org and www.billanschell.com.

Contact Bainbridge Island Review Staff Writer Connie Mears at cmears@bainbridgereview.com or (206) 842-6613.

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