Total energy — a cutting-edge version of the classic piano/bass/drums trio.
The first thing the Walt Wagner Trio’s WICA audience will experience is the absolute joy of three compatible, powerhouse jazz musicians playing together.
July 8 | 7:30 PM
TICKETS
$30 - Standard
$45 - WICA Star
About the artists
Based in Seattle, Walt Wagner has been a prominent figure in Seattle’s landmark, fine-dining restaurant, Canlis, as resident pianist. Playing everything from jazz and pop standards to more modern hits of now, his style knows no bounds and keeps evolving. Recently, Walt Wagner retired from 20 years at Canlis and celebrated with Sub Pop Records live streaming and recording the grand finale event. The result was a live album, Reworks, released to commemorate not only an end of an era, but also the continuation of Wagner’s performance career, including five recent Walt Wagner Trio shows at Jazz Alley. Walt Wagner has performed with Jay Leno, Bill Cosby, Bob Hope, George Burns, Lily Tomlin, Roberta Flack, Sammy Davis, Jr., Bob Newhart, and as pianist- conductor with Peggy Lee. He was featured on The Tonight Show, Merv Griffin and Dinah Shore shows. He toured internationally with Peggy Fleming in “A Concert On Ice”, and has performed extensively at Sun Valley, Idaho. He was featured for two years at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival at University of Idaho.
Electric bassist Dan Dean, a multitalented artist, has achieved national and international recognition as a Bassist, Producer, Composer, and as an audio and recording Engineer. Dan has performed with the some of the finest musicians and musical organizations of our time, including: Shelly Manne, Howard Roberts, The Great Guitars (Herb Ellis, Charlie Byrd, Barney Kessell), B.B. King, Dave Grusin, Don Grusin, Ernestine Anderson, Ernie Watts, the Seattle Symphony, Seattle Opera, and many others. Dan has been a major contributor to music education. Also an excellent vocalist, he has just released his second classical record, Fanfare For The Common Man, in which—with only his voice—he portrays all the parts of orchestrations by Bach, Debussy, Mendelssohn, Mozart, Holst, and more.
Ben Smith is the drummer for the legendary rock band Heart and is one of the world’s most respected and talented rock musicians. In 2016 he formed a new band Roadcase Royale with Nancy Wilson of Heart and former Prince Vocalist, Liv Warfield. Roadcase Royale, includes Chris Joyner on keys, Dan Rothchild on bass, and Ryan Waters on guitar. Ben has been performing, songwriting, recording, and producing for over thirty years. In addition to HEART, led by Ann and Nancy Wilson, Ben has worked live and in studio with countless other gifted artists including Taj Mahal, Cyndi Lauper, Peter Frampton, and with Jazz, Blues, and New Age legends such as Ernestine Anderson, Kenny G, and banjo prodigy Danny Barnes.