Hot Music at Arts al Fresco Thursday

Fabulous pianos, fabulous musicians, fabulous art! It’s all free at Arts al Fresco on August 7th! You won’t want to miss this Celebrate Shoreline kick-off event at Shoreline City Hall and the Park at Town Center across the street.

Nelda Swiggett

On the Shoreline Rocks grand piano in the City Hall Courtyard, pianist Nelda Swiggett will perform primarily her own original music, a distinctive blend of her varied musical experiences, from jazz and salsa to gospel, classical and more.

She formed her first band in 1990, and has since performed at many of Seattle’s leading jazz clubs, concerts and festivals. 

"Swiggett has a unique touch and intensely appealing pianism..." (All About Jazz). Her fourth CD, Blue-Eyed Painted Lady (OA2 Records 2014), has been called "Gorgeous" (Wondering Sound Reviews) and “Delightfully left of center…” (Midwest Record).

For Arts al Fresco she will be joined by her long-time bassist, Chris Symer. 

Steve Flynn

Bringing life to the Red Brick Road on another artist-painted instrument, Fancy Footwork, pianist Steve Flynn will play boogie and swing for your listening and dancing pleasure.

"Steven Flynn has been playing piano and organ in clubs, theaters, festivals, and elsewhere on the Seattle music scene consistently for 40 years. He has been a mainstay with the notorious Jr. Cadillac since 1980, and has played with many, many Northwest bands in the blues, funk, rock-and-roll, jazz, New Orleans, rhythm-and-blues, and Americana genres, as well as backing Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley. Currently he plays with Jr. Cadillac, Alice Stuart and the Formerlys, the John Stephan Band, the Honky Tonkers, RockIt Science with Roger Fisher, as well as having a thriving career as a solo piano player and singer." 

Ashley Webster

A third piano will be in action this year at the Gateway Plaza on Midvale at 185th. Catch Ashley Webster on the Infinite Arrangements /tangram piano or play it yourself.

Webster, a 2005 graduate of Shorewood High School, played with jazz choir and jazz band, gracing the stage at Carnegie Hall and competing in the Essentially Ellington Jazz Band Competition in New York City.

At Edmonds Community College, she played with Soundsation vocal jazz group, and the jazz combos, honing her musical skills and techniques through arranging jazz charts.

Webster has also been involved with such music groups as the Jim Cutler Orchestra, MusicWorks Jazz Band, Bellevue College Jazz Band, the Seattle Jazz Singers, Roadside Attraction and two salsa bands.

The Jazz Pearls is her main jazz combo, started in 2012; Ashley acts as musical leader, writing original tunes, arranging jazz charts and...of course...tickling the ivories!

Arts al Fresco, Thursday, August 7th 6:00-8:00 p.m. It’s the place to be!