Saxophonist Bill Ramsay is a Northwest treasure who's been both leader and sideman in dozens of bands, not only in this region but also internationally. He recently played concerts in Brazil with former Count Basie Band members. He's played with many of the best known bands ever - Basie, Ellington, Goodman, Les Brown, Quincy Jones, Grover Mitchell, Maynard Ferguson and others. He was a regular at Red Kelly's in both Tumwater and Tacoma, is co-leader of the Ramsay-Kleeb Band, a founding member of the Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra, and in the Seattle Jazz Hall of Fame.
Now in his 80s, he's as vital as ever, teaching summer jazz workshops at Jazz Port Townsend, on call as a quick sub with numerous major names, and playing pops concerts with the Seattle Symphony. In this tribute concert two sides of this versatile musician are showcased, his powerful baritone sax soloing and his arrangements for this specially assembled septet. In addition to "Rams" fronting the group, you'll hear Travis Raney on alto and tenor sax, Jay Thomas on trumpet, Dan Marcus on trombone, John Hansen, piano, Chuck Deardorf, bass and Greg Williamson on drums. The concert was presented by Earshot Jazz as part of the current Earshot Jazz Festival which continues through mid-November.
