Bastards of Jazz

The Bastards of Jazz are not some fake book jazz cover band. In fact, it’s the Bastards’ originals that invariably get the best reaction from the crowd, like the funky “Poke the Pope,” the soulful “Tango Noir,” and the hard-charging “El Jefe.” And, the band’s well chosen covers — from “Mercy, Mercy, Mercy” by Joe Zawinul, to “the Chicken” by the JB Horns, to “Blue Monk” by the great Thelonius Monk, to “Guns of Navaronne” by the Skatalites — make for set lists that are themselves highly original and downright bad-ass.

Given the Bastards’ personnel, it is not surprising that this is not some traditional, sit-down-and-shut-up jazz band. Keith (“the Beez”) Beesley, saxophonist and unofficial spiritual leader, may be the only legitimate jazz musician in the band, and man can he blow the horn. From there, taking it to the next level on the trumpet is Mark (“Memby”) Bentz, formerly of Seattle's legendary ska band, the Tiny Hat Orchestra. Z. Evan (“Permeson”) Davies, another Tiny Hat alum, keeps it real on the trombone. Charlie (“Chasbro”) Beck, a guitar phenom who plays hillbilly music on the side, provides the tasty chords. Ed (“Infra Ed”) Portnow, who perfected his jazz chops in the seminal Seattle punk band the Dehumanizers and surf band the Manatees, keeps it all together on the drums. And Paul Moomaw (he doesn’t need a nickname, his last name is Moomaw, for chrissakes), formerly of Seattle acoustic power pop trio Sycophant, holds down the bottom end on the upright bass. Put it all together and there you have it: the Bastards (of Jazz).

The Bastards have been playing together since autumn 2000, and have turned up in venues and events all over town, including Seattle Scooter Insanity at the 9 lb. Hammer in Georgetown, Belltown Uncorked, the Emerald Downs racetrack, the Ould Triangle in Greenwood, the celebrated Blue Moon Tavern, and Becker’s Halloween party (their first gig). Everywhere they go, they convert new fans, and prove time and time again that “jazz” does not have to be a pain in the ass to listen to.