Trumpeter Thomas Marriott has been playing at Tula's for all his professional life. He started there with his brother Dave on trombone when they were in their teens. The Marriotts represent an entire generation of Seattle musicians who have been regulars on stage at Tula's for more than two decades. Sadly, Tula's closes after 26 years at the end of this month, another victim of gentrification and high rents. Most of the one-story block in Belltown will be demolished for a new high-rise building.
It's been a busy month at Tula's, as most of the top jazz musicians in Seattle are playing their last gigs at the club and it's been a full house every night. We have mixed feelings about presenting this last of many broadcasts from Tula's, but we're happy to have had the opportunity to record many shows there to share with our listeners. The music has been great, the audiences appreciative, the staff friendly and welcoming. Pull up a chair, have a drink and enjoy one of the last nights at Tula's with Thomas Marriott (trumpet), Rick Mandyck (tenor sax), Tim Kennedy (piano), Jeff Johnson on bass and John Bishop at the drums. They've all been on that stage many times over the years.
By the way, this is the Fall Fund Drive edition of Jazz Northwest this Sunday on KNKX. Maybe make a donation in memory of the hundreds of great nights of jazz at Tula's?
Jazz Northwest is recorded and produced by host Jim Wilke and airs Sundays at 2 p.m. Listeners may also subscribe to the podcast at KNKX, NPR, Apple, Google or Spotify.