Olympic Games

Last week in the Olympic Peninsula, WA

Hello friends,

I am sorry for my temporary absence from this place. Luzia and I spent all of last week moving around the Olympic Peninsula in Washington state. I was the first artist brought as a resident at Field Hall in Port Angeles. I visited many schools and community centers as a way to bring music and art to the region..

I know that several of you have not yet been to the Peninsula. It is one of the most rugged and mysterious spots in the Pacific Northwest. Native culture interacts with many different kinds of humans. Each lake, forest grove and river has its own distinct vibration. Fog exists in many different shapes and colors:

View from Ediz Hook towards Port Angeles. Photo by Jovino Santos Neto

Our favorite body of water is Lake Crescent. Deeply carved by glaciers many centuries ago, it is situated inside the Olympic National Park. It feels otherworldly, especially in the early morning:

Clouds over Lake Crescent. Photo by Jovino Santos Neto

On the first morning in our cabin facing Lake Sutherland, I improvised this music on the house piano:

It was our way to ask the Peninsula forest dwellers to receive us in their heart.

There is no better way to immerse yourself in the Olympic Peninsula than to visit and play with the local children. I did about 10 different educational events with about 300 kids, mostly elementary and middle schoolers. Not knowing what to expect, I decided to improvise during all of them. The kids were super excited, especially when we distributed egg shakers to them and asked them to make sounds and grooves with them. Luzia documented some of our spontaneous interactions, such as this one done at The Boys and Girls Club in Joyce, WA:

You can follow Luzia and her amazing photos on her Instagram profile.

We had many adventures last week, but the last event was the best. My Quinteto with Ben Thomas (vibes, bandoneon), Tim Carey (bass), Mark Ivester on drums and Jeff Busch on percussion played to a full house at the Field Hall on Saturday night.

Somebody filmed one of our tunes and posted it on YouTube:

It was a busy week, filled with Music and Nature.

I am honored to know that the Jovino Santos Neto Quinteto is on the ballot for an Earshot Jazz Golden Ear Award for Best Acoustic NW Ensemble! If you dig our sound, vote here: https://www.earshot.org/golden-ear-awards-seattle-jazz.../

In the next weeks, we have some more performances. If you live in the Pacific Northwest, check these out:

My Quinteto, with special guest Darian Asplund will play from 6:30 to 8:30PM at Axis Gallery in Pioneer Square. Many great bands and free admission!

The next day we will be playing at the Firehouse Arts Center in Bellingham, WA (1314 Harris Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225). This hall has perfect acoustics and a great piano.

Thanks for your support of my work, and until the next one!

Obrigado,

Jovino