Brent Jensen’s debut CD on Seattle’s Origin Records, The Sound of a Dry Martini: Remembering Paul Desmond, spent thirteen weeks on JazzWeek’s Top 50 radio airplay charts following its 2002 release and continues to receive airplay on jazz radio stations and streaming platforms worldwide. For his “First Sundays” concert, Brent will be joined by guitarist Jamie Findlay, bassist Chris Symer, and drummer Greg Williamson as the quartet pays tribute to the legacy of the late, great cool jazz saxophonist.
About the Musicians
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Brent Jensen has performed & recorded with a wide range of jazz artists including Gene Harris, Bobby Shew, Bill Anschell, Jeff Johnson, John Bishop, John Stowell, Jamie Findlay and others. His recording, “The Sound of a Dry Martini: Remembering Paul Desmond” charted at the #1 position on jazz radio stations across the country and was featured on JazzWeek’s Top 100 and NPR’s JazzWorks’ Top 25 lists. Brent's duo recording with pianist Bill Anschell, "We Couldn't Agree More" was named a "Critic's Choice" pick by Jazziz magazine and one of Jim Wilke's "Best Northwest Jazz CDs. His recordings are available on iTunes, Amazon, Spotify & Pandora and other online music streaming services.goes here
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Jamie Findlay is a master of contemporary acoustic guitar with two CDs under his own name, "Wings of Light" and "Amigos del Corazon". As a founding member of the Acoustic Jazz Quartet, he released CDs on the Naxos Jazz & Origin Records labels. Jamie taught at University of Southern California and the Musicians Institute in Hollywood and has traveled and performed throughout the United States, Asia, Central America, Brazil and on eight tours of Europe.
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Chris Symer moved to Seattle from Southern California in 2002 where he quickly established himself as a first-call bassist. Notable projects have included recordings with Bill Anschell (“Rumbler” 2017), Johnaye Kendrick (“Here” 2014), James Knapp (“Scrape” 2013), and Nelda Swiggett (“Stingtet” 2014) as well as tours to South America with Anschell (2012, 2014) and Kendrick (2013).
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Greg Williamson, drummer, percussionist and composer, has toured as a member of the Woody Herman, Glenn Miller and Harry James big bands. In 1991 he performed with Seattle's renowned vocalist Ernestine Anderson and later acted as her musical director. Greg leads own groups including the Greg Williamson Quartet, Brushes & Bass and the Pony Boy All-Star Big Band. In 1994, he founded Pony Boy Records which has released 40 recordings. Greg is the musical director for Boxley's Jazz Club in North Bend, WA which features nightly live jazz.