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Chuck Deardorf

Chuck Deardorf has been an integral member of the Northwest jazz scene for over two decades. A respected acoustic and electric bassist, his dynamic performances have been a part of countless festivals, nightclubs, and recording sessions, touring the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, and Australia with such jazz greats as saxophonists Bud Shank and Don Lanphere; pianists George Cables, Bill Mays, and Kenny Barron; and guitarists Larry Coryell and Bruce Forman. As a first call bassist in Seattle over the last twenty-five years, he has been chosen to perform with a long list of legendary artists such as Chet Baker, Kenny Werner, Herb Ellis, Charlie Byrd, Eric Alexander, Phil Woods, Zoot Sims, Pete Christlieb, Joe LaBarbara, Jeff Hamilton, Victor Lewis, Joe Williams and Mark Murphy among others.

Chuck’s latest solo release on Origin records, “Transparence”(released 2011) demonstrates his performing, producing and arranging abilities with a host of great musicians. He is currently a member of the Deardorf/Peterson Group (whose 2004 Origin release "Portal" won critical acclaim), the Jovino Santos Neto Quartet, the Susan Pascal Quartet along with the Bill Ramsay Big Band. An accomplished studio musician, Chuck’s bass has been heard on many first run movie soundtracks, dozens of albums and CD projects, and numerous Broadway touring shows. Chuck also has performed on numerous occasions with the Seattle Symphony Orchestra.

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Liner Notes

Hadley Caliman / Pete Christlieb: Reunion

Read "Hadley Caliman / Pete Christlieb: Reunion" reviewed by Thomas Conrad


At the end of the first decade of the new millennium, one of the most gratifying developments in jazz is the late blossoming of Hadley Caliman. In 2008, at 76, he released Gratitude, his first recording as a leader in 31 years. It was followed in 2010 by Straight Ahead. They created a buzz on the jazz street. It is not just that he has lasted long enough to finally get the attention he deserves. Hadley Caliman is currently playing ...

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Profile

20 Seattle Jazz Musicians You Should Know: Chuck Deardorf

Read "20 Seattle Jazz Musicians You Should Know: Chuck Deardorf" reviewed by Paul Rauch


The city of Seattle has a jazz history that dates back to the very beginnings of the form. It was home to the first integrated club scene in America on Jackson St in the 1920's and '30s. It saw a young Ray Charles arrive as a teenager to escape the nightmare of Jim Crow in the south. It has produced such historical jazz icons as Quincy Jones and Ernestine Anderson. In many instances it has acted as a temporary repose ...

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Album Review

Jenny Davis: Rearranged

Read "Rearranged" reviewed by C. Michael Bailey


The first listen is simply heating the snifter to introduce the complex and commanding music made as essence to the listener. The second and subsequent listenings consumes the musical liquor of the talent and vision of vocalist and composer Jenny Davis, who reveals a very sophisticated creative method existing at the triple point of her singing, composing and activism. Davis's previous recordings It Amazes Me (Self Produced, 2006) and Inside You (Self Produced, 2010) were well received, setting Davis up ...

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Radio & Podcasts

Bill Frisell, Tom Harrell, Wadada Leo Smith and Other Great New Releases

Read "Bill Frisell, Tom Harrell, Wadada Leo Smith and Other Great New Releases" reviewed by Bob Osborne


A show packed with new music featuring new releases from Chuck Deardorf, Bill Frisell & Thomas Morgan, Matt Brewer, Josh Lawrence, Tom Harrell, and Wadada Leo Smith. Playlist Chuck Deardorf “Lullaby" from Perception (Origin Records) 00:00 Bill Frisell & Thomas Morgan “You Only Live Twice" from Epistrophy (ECM) 07:23 Josh Lawrence “We're Happiest Together" from Triptych (Posi-tone) 16:23 Matt Brewer, Damion Reid, Mark Shim “Ganymede" from Ganymede (Criss Cross Jazz) 20:56 Tom Harrell “The Fast" from Infinity ...

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Album Review

Chuck Deardorf: Perception

Read "Perception" reviewed by Paul Rauch


Before the tech revolution that has ushered in an era of unprecedented growth and global recognition, the city of Seattle was a bit of an outpost in the world of jazz. Since the 1920s, the city has enjoyed a vibrant and innovative jazz scene, often resulting in local musicians backing major international touring artists. The emerald city has spawned such renowned jazz icons as Quincy Jones, Ray Charles, Larry Coryell and Ernestine Anderson as well. In the 1970s ...

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Interview

Chuck Deardorf: Hanging On To The Groove

Read "Chuck Deardorf: Hanging On To The Groove" reviewed by Paul Rauch


Bassist Chuck Deardorf has gained a reputation for virtuosity and professionalism over a career that has thus far spanned 40 years. He has been the first call bassist in Seattle for most of his career, playing with some of the most renowned musicians in the history of jazz. For many years, despite having a prolific local jazz scene, the now burgeoning city of Seattle was considered a remote outpost in the jazz world. Many touring musicians would arrive on the ...

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Album Review

Hadley Caliman and Pete Christlieb: Reunion

Read "Reunion" reviewed by C. Michael Bailey


Both Hadley Caliman and Pete Christlieb were active on Los Angeles jazz scene going on 50 years ago, and the two tenor saxophonists actually performed together at the time. Real life got in the way, guiding each man in his allotted direction. Origin Records' house pianist (and All About Jazz Contributor) Bill Anschell brought the two together for Reunion, composing a good old fashioned cooker to open the disc. “Little Dex" (after Dexter Gordon) is thus titled ...

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“Chuck is one of my favorite bassists...one of the finest working today” Bud Shank “A virtuoso soloist” Jazz Times "Bassist Chuck Deardorf has been a yeoman on the Seattle jazz scene for more than 25 years. His muscular sound and Gibraltar-like time have been heard locally behind everyone from Abbey Lincoln and Chet Baker to Art Farmer and Mark Murphy. After spending a career in the shadows, Deardorf finally has stepped into the spotlight with an album under his own name. Seattle Times
Primary Instrument

Bass

Location

Seattle

Willing to teach

Intermediate to advanced

Credentials/Background

Teaching privately for 30+ years; Full Professor at Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle. Call for info.

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Transparence

Origin Records
2020

buy

Rearranged

Three Penny Records
2020

buy

Perception

Origin Records
2019

buy

Reunion

Origin Records
2010

buy

Portal

Origin Records
2004

buy

Pacific Aire

Nebula
1991

buy

Collage

From: Transparence
By Chuck Deardorf

Comencio

From: Reunion
By Chuck Deardorf

Videos

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