Candlelight Concert in person, online, on radio

‘All Women, All Jazz’ described as a ‘big, small band’

Jean Lenke is one of three vocalists to appear in Thursday’s “All Women — All Jazz” Candlelight Concert this Thursday. The live performance will be for an in-person audience as well as presented online and on KPTZ-FM 91.9.

Jean Lenke is one of three vocalists to appear in Thursday’s “All Women — All Jazz” Candlelight Concert this Thursday. The live performance will be for an in-person audience as well as presented online and on KPTZ-FM 91.9.

PORT TOWNSEND — Three songbirds with a full band, an evening of jazz with a live audience: This month’s Candlelight Concert will be an in-person, online and broadcast performance starring a who’s who of musicians from across the region.

“It’s a big, small band,” pianist Linda Dowdell said of the ensemble to play the “All Women, All Jazz” concert at Trinity United Methodist Church at 7 p.m. Thursday.

Also an arranger, bandleader and composer, Dowdell will appear alongside singers Jean Lenke, Sarah Shea and Ann Brittain, bassist Elaine Gardner-Morales, trumpet player Marge Rosen and drummer Angie Tabor.

Together they’ve curated a set list to showcase their range of voices. All of the songs, Dowdell noted, were written or co-written by women during the first half of the 20th century.

As always, this Candlelight Concert benefits a local nonprofit. The women chose Dove House Advocacy Services (www.dovehousejc.org), provider of support for survivors of domestic violence and other crimes.

The doors of Trinity United Methodist, 609 Taylor St. in the Uptown neighborhood, will open at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, and capacity will be limited to 50 people who show proof of full vaccination.

For those who want to watch and listen at home, the concert also will be livestreamed free — while a $10 donation is suggested — at www.trinityumcpt.org, and simulcast on KPTZ-FM 91.9, and www.kptz.org/listen.

Each vocalist has picked out a few songs for herself; then all three will sing together, said Lenke, who added that “The Way You Look Tonight” is one of her selections.

Shea will offer Edith Piaf’s “La Vie en Rose,” among other classics, and Brittain will sing an uncommon version of “What a Difference a Day Makes.” She’s doing the song in its earlier form, which was in Spanish: “Cuando Vuelva a Tu Lado” is the title of the original by the Mexican composer Maria Grever (1885-1951).

Brittain received coaching from two Spanish speakers as she was polishing her diction.

In assembling the band for Thursday’s concert, Lenke and Dowdell called on players known for their verve and versatility.

Tabor is known for her band Caribe and for her teaching of steel-pan technique. Gardner-Morales is also an educator, leading the vocal jazz ensemble and teaching a course in the history of rock’n’roll. Rosen leads the Port Townsend Summer Band and plays in the Seattle Women’s Jazz Orchestra, Port Angeles Symphony and Stardust Big Band.

At least a couple of the Candlelight Concert songs come from “Tin Pan Lady,” the musical revue Dowdell brought to Port Townsend’s Key City Public Theatre in 2010 and 2013.

Also on the menu is a lesser-known gem, “Close Your Eyes.” It was written by Bernice Petkere (1901-2000), whom Irving Berlin dubbed the Queen of Tin Pan Alley.

The 50-minute concert has a few instrumentals mixed in, Dowdell added, including a blend of “How High the Moon” and “Shine On, Harvest Moon.”

Lenke, for her part, said making music has kept her inspired throughout the past two years of unpredictability. This winter, she’s sought to build an online community by establishing the “Jazz on the Olympic & Kitsap Peninsulas” Facebook page. Any concerts and live music venues she can find are posted there.

“Music feeds my soul,” Lenke said.

That may sound cliché, she admitted. But it’s true.

________

Jefferson County Senior Reporter Diane Urbani de la Paz can be reached at 360-417-3509 or durbanidelapaz@peninsuladailynews.com.

Thursday’s “All Women — All Jazz” Candlelight Concert features a four-piece band including pianist Linda Dowdell of Sequim. The concert — livestreamed, broadcast on KPTZ-FM 91.9 and presented to a small in-person audience — is a fundraiser for Dove House.

Thursday’s “All Women — All Jazz” Candlelight Concert features a four-piece band including pianist Linda Dowdell of Sequim. The concert — livestreamed, broadcast on KPTZ-FM 91.9 and presented to a small in-person audience — is a fundraiser for Dove House.

More in Entertainment

Artist Karen Hackenberg in her Discovery Bay home studio with her painting titled “The Floating World.” (photo by Craig Wester)
Port Townsend painter explores beauty in pollution

Tacoma Art Museum to host solo exhibit

The light art piece, “Jellyfish” by Nicole Johnson, was part of the 2023 Light Art Experience in Webster’s Woods. (Matt Sagen/Cascadia Films)
Makers Market, Light Art Experience to open Friday

The Port Angeles Fine Arts Center will open its… Continue reading

Christine Brehan, left, Olympic Peninsula Doll Club president, and Sandy Brehan, cofounder of the group, share some of Sandy’s collection of miniature mannequins dressed in clothes that she made from original 1930s-1950s patterns. The blue skirt suit on the left was made by another member. The Brehans shared some of their collections with visitors and residents of Sherwood Assisted Living. (Emily Matthiessen/Olympic Peninsula News Group)
Dolls span countries, decades at Sequim show

Sherwood Assisted Living hosted the Olympic Peninsula Doll Club’s “Timeless… Continue reading

Tickets still available for Festival of Trees events

Tickets are still available for Festival of Trees events… Continue reading

Plays, music and puzzles top weekend events

Stage productions, music performances and a crossword puzzle contest highlight this weekend’s… Continue reading

Port Angeles Community Players to host auditions

Auditions for the Port Angeles Community Players’ production of… Continue reading

“Obstruction Point” by Anne Pfeiffer of Port Angeles is part of “Small Expressions,” the wide-ranging show which will open Friday at Northwind Art’s Jeanette Best Gallery in Port Townsend.
‘Small Expressions’ opens Friday in Port Townsend

One of the most wide-ranging exhibitions in recent memory… Continue reading

Actors, from left, Justin Stapleton, Mario Arruda and Sean Stone rehearse “Artificial Emotions,” a short play written by John Painter and directed by Bill Stone, far right. It will be the first of eight plays in Olympic Theatre Arts’ New Works Showcase through Sunday. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group)
Olympic Theatre Arts offers New Works Showcase

Olympic Theatre Arts will offer eight new mini shows this… Continue reading

Song swap set Friday at Studio Bob

The second Song Swap is set for 7 p.m.… Continue reading

Samite, pictured during his Field Arts & Events Hall performance last fall, is returning to Port Angeles for a matinee and evening performance this Saturday. (Field Arts & Events Hall)
Samite, ‘Resilience’ return to Port Angeles this weekend

One-man play includes soft voice, African instruments

Singer-songwriter Stephanie Anne Johnson.
Stephanie Anne Johnson to play at the Palindrome

Stephanie Anne Johnson will perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.… Continue reading

Gingerbread kits available for library contest

Gingerbread kits are available for the 30th Uptown Gingerbread… Continue reading