2006 GOLDEN EAR AWARDS - THE RESULTS ARE IN...

Hello everyone - I'm very happy to announce that I am the recipient of two Earshot Awards this year!

NW INSTRUMENTALIST OF THE YEAR
NW RECORDING OF THE YEAR - Alay* (this won as a write-in!)

I'd like to give a special thank you to everyone who voted for me; it is a thrill and an honor to be making music that is catching people's attention. 2007 will bring much more! - VJN

For the complete list of awardees go to the Earshot Jazz website

VICTOR NORIEGA :: ALAY - 2006 GOLDEN EAR AWARD FOR NW RECORDING OF THE YEAR

Alay (AH-lye) - dedication, offering

:: V N T :: has released their second full-length album entitled ALAY. This new album features original compositions and arrangements of traditional Filipino songs treated with a contemporary perspective.

THE PHILIPPINE INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL

Victor Noriega was be featured in the 2007 Philippine International Jazz Festival held in Manila, Philippines from February 15th to February 24th. Truly an international event, a diverse cast of artists headlined the festival: Flora Purim, Airto Moreira, Diane Schuur & Eldar Djangirov.

EVENTS:
February 18 - Workshop/clinic, Alabong Town Center, 4pm
February 24 - VNTrio, Sofitel Philippine Plaza, 8pm

PIjazzfest, Inc. is an independent, non-profit organization comprised of freelance jazz musicians, artists, afficionados and patrons who all share a common interest in promoting artistic and cultural creative efforts.

THE CULTURAL CENTER OF THE PHILIPPINES

Victor's residency in the Philippines will come to a close on March 4th when he performs in concert at The Cultural Center of the Philippines. Victor will be joined by Alvin Cornista (tenor saxophone), Roger Herrera (bass), and Jay Cummings (drums).

The Cultural Center of the Philippines is the premiere institution for culture and the arts in the country. It embodies the highest standards of excellence and has services, which are responsive to the Filipino and the world. CCP nurtures and promotes artistic excellence, Filipino aesthetics and identity, and positive cultural values towards a humanistic global society.

VNT+2 AT TULAS - SATURDAY, APRIL 28

Victor Noriega Trio has just returned from a 10-day tour of California; catch the group at Tula's this saturday!

4/28, 8:30pm to 12:30am, $12
TULA'S - 2214 2nd Ave
(between Bell & Blanchard)
(206) 443-4221

Jay Thomas (tp)
Mark Taylor (as)
Willie Blair (bs)
Byron Vannoy (dr)

FESTIVAL OF WAYWARD MUSIC: PIANO CHRISTENING

July 20, 8 PM, admission is FREE!
Presented by Nonsequitur
Read a preview in The Stranger.

In honor of the 100th anniversary of the Good Shepherd Center, and to officially introduce our new music venue to the community, we are having a festival of epic proportions. One night and an entire day of great music featuring a huge sampling of the Seattle creative music community. All concerts are free!

To kick off the festivities, nine fantastic pianists spanning a variety of genres – jazz, free improvisation, contempo classical, singer-songwriter, Latin – will help us welcome our newly acquired 1920's 9-foot Knabe concert grand to the Chapel: Gust Burns, Dawn Clement, Wayne Horvitz, Julie Ives, Duo Juum, Johanna Kunin, Victor Noriega, Amy Rubin, and Cristina Valdes.

JULY 27, 8:00pm
SEASONS PERFORMANCE HALL (Yakima)

Playtonic Jazz Quartet brings the bright future of jazz to The Seasons! This ensemble showcases remarkable young talents who have gained notice for their improvisation, technical facility, and mature musicianship.

FEATURING:
Logan Strosahl (as)
Jeff Picker (bs)
Chris Icasiano (dr)

For tickets and more info visit The Seasons website.


2007 ANACORTES JAZZ FESTIVAL

AUGUST 31, 9:00-12:00 - STAR BAR
at the Anacortes Jazz Walk

VNT+1

Stuart MacDonald (ts)
Willie Blair (bs)
Eric Eagle (dr)

For tickets and the complete festival lineup please visit www.anacortes.org/jazz-07.cfm


BUMBERSHOOT 2007

Check out pictures & music from the VNT+2 Bumbershoot performance, as well as some photos taken from my guest appearance on the Greg Proops Chat Show














DEBUT: PONTIUS PILOTS

OCTOBER 20, 10:00pm - EGAN'S BALLARD JAMHOUSE

Pontius Pilots is the collaborative works of Victor Noriega & producer eR Don. A clever array of samples and sequencing, this should be a soundscape to remember. Make sure to come and check out this interesting new project!

PONTIUS PILOTS:

e.R. Don (mpc)
Victor Noriega (p)
















SEATTLE JAZZ SCENE.COM PRESENTS: SEATTLE JAZZ SHOWCASE

NOVEMBER 1, 9:30pm - SEATTLE DRUM SCHOOL

NORIEGA/WILLCOX QUARTET
Victor Noriega (p)
Tim Willcox (ts)
Jon Hamar (bs)
Russ Kleiner (dr)

3RD ANNUAL FIL-AM JAZZ FEST

DECEMBER 10 :: JAZZ FESTIVAL REVIEW

By Don Heckman, Special to The LA Times

There weren't a lot of familiar names in the lineup Friday for the third annual Fil-Am Jazz Festival at Catalina Bar & Grill. At least not for anyone in the audience who wasn't Philippine. Although singer Charmaine Clamor has begun to get some much-deserved attention as an appealing new arrival, many of the other artists are best known in their native Philippines.

But surprise! The program was a delight, a nonstop string of first-rate performances testifying to the high quality of Philippine musical talent as well as to the global reach of jazz. (continued)

Click here to read the entire review.

SEATTLE CENTER WINTERFEST: SEATTLE'S BEST JAZZ

DECEMBER 14, 8PM :: CENTER HOUSE STAGE

Experience a night of jazz greatness with the acclaimed Garfield High School Jazz Band directed by Clarence Acox. Other artists will include Earshot Jazz Artist of the Year Victor Noriega, Earshot Jazz Vocalist of the Year James Cadell, saxophonist Darren Motamady, and Neosoul singer Felicia Loud.

www.garfieldjazz.org :: www.earshotjazz.org

Check out these links for past Victor Noriega news:

2006
2005
2004