Cocoa Martini to give four concerts this week
Bigfork and three other Flathead Valley locations will be buzzing with the sounds of Seattle-based jazz trio Cocoa Martini, accompanied by the Bill Anschell Trio this week.
Cocoa Martini is made up of Kimberly Reason, Nadine Shanti and Kay Bailey.
Since their sold-out debut performance at The Triple Door in 2007, the women of Cocoa Martini have been creating their own Seattle jazz scene. Their music is a combination of three-part harmony reminiscent of the Andrews and McGuire sisters, alluring jazz solos, Latin music, storytelling and just plain fun radiating the warmth of friendship.
Shanti is the backbone of the trio. She teaches music for the Everett, Wash. school district and is responsible for Cocoa Martini’s harmonies and arrangements. Reason, the group’s founder, handles the bookings and the business and keeps Cocoa Martini’s shows lively and intense. All three women sing — and sing well.
Their “show is spellbinding and harmonies magnificent,” according to Eddie Rye of KKNW radio’s “Forum Northwest.” In a special for The Seattle Times, Hugo Kugiya called their vocals “unique, elegant jazz.”
Cocoa Martini has performed at Jazz Alley and The Seattle Art Museum as well as many other venues. In 2009, the trio won Earshot Jazz’s Northwest Vocalist of the Year.
The women are accompanied by the Bill Anschell Trio. Anschell, the group’s leader, has performed all over the world, worked as jazz coordinator for the Southern Arts Federation and was vocalist Nnenna Freelon’s pianist, arranger and musical director in the 1990s.
He has played and recorded with a host of jazz greats, including Ron Carter, Benny Golson and Russell Malone, and has received many awards, including the Golden Ear Award for Northwest Jazz Instrumentalist of the Year in 2005, 2010 and 2011.
Bassist Chuck Kistler has played with Eartha Kitt, Petula Clark, Kurt Elling, Kevin Mahogany and Ernie Watts. He is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music in Boston. He has previously appeared in the Flathead Valley touring with the Erich Avinger and Jay Thomas Quartet.
Drummer Brian Kirk teaches jazz and music theory at Seattle Central Community College and keeps a busy schedule performing. He came to Seattle from New York City where he had an active career in theater. He played drums and vibraphone for “Ain’t Misbehavin’.” He’s also been in “Five Guys Named Moe,” “Fiddler on the Roof,” “Les Miserables” and “Jelly’s Last Jam,” featuring Gregory Hines. Kirk has performed with Dizzy Gillespie, Bobby Hutcherson, the Pointer Sisters and Gladys Knight.
Cocoa Martini, accompanied by the Bill Anschell Trio, will perform at the following venues:
• Nov. 29, 7:30 p.m. — Whitefish Performing Arts Center
• Nov. 30, 7:30 p.m. — Columbia Falls High School, 610 13th St. W.
• Dec. 1, 7 p.m. — Central Christian Church, 248 Second Ave. E., Kalispell
• Dec. 2, 5 p.m. — Bethany Lutheran Church, 8559 Montana 35, Bigfork
Tickets to the shows are $18 for adults, $15 for seniors and $12 for students. All tickets are for general seating, they can be bought at sands.skytics.com.
Following the Dec. 1 concert, there will be a swing dance featuring Swingin’ Light at the Eagles Club, 37 First St. W., Kalispell. The dance will run from 9 p.m. to midnight; admission is $5, cash only, at the door.
Cocoa Martini is sponsored by Don “K” Subaru. Every year at this time, Subaru of America donates money to charity; proceeds from these shows will be dedicated to the USO.
The tour and swing dance are brought to the valley by Singer & Simpson Productions.