Jazz is Dead & Marcos Valle in Seattle

Jazz Is Dead is an American jazz-rock ensemble established in 1998 to reinterpret the music of the Grateful Dead through instrumental improvisation. Its early lineup featured bassist Alphonso Johnson, keyboardist T Lavitz, guitarist Jimmy Herring and drummer Billy Cobham, and its recordings include Blue Light Rain and Laughing Water. The original quartet toured in 1998, bringing its extended arrangements of Grateful Dead songs to concert stages. The 25th Anniversary Tour revived the project in 2023, pairing Johnson with guitarists Steve Kimock and Bobby Lee Rodgers and drummer Pete Lavezzoli.

Marcos Valle is a Brazilian singer, songwriter, composer and keyboardist, born in Rio de Janeiro in 1943. His music encompasses bossa nova, samba, MPB and jazz-funk; his best-known compositions include “Samba de Verão,” also known as “Summer Samba,” “Os Grilos” and “Estrelar.” His catalogue also includes the albums Samba ’68 and Previsão do Tempo. The 2013 album Marcos Valle & Stacey Kent Live at Birdland New York City documented his concert partnership with Stacey Kent. He has since continued performing his songs with a band, including appearances at Ronnie Scott’s and the Jazz Cafe in London.