Western's Mike Allen Quartet sets monthly performance series, features world-class guests

After a year on sabbatical, The Mike Allen Quartet, comprised of Western Washington University faculty members Mike Allen, Miles Black, Adam Thomas, and Julian MacDonough, will play at 7:30 p.m. at the Bellingham Arts Academy for Youth (BAAY) at 1059 North State St. one Wednesday each month through June.

The kickoff set will be at on Wednesday, Oct. 9, with Allen on saxophone, Black on piano, Thomas on bass, and MacDonough on drums.

They’ll be joined on Wednesday, Nov. 6 by renowned trombonist Julian Priester, who began his career touring with Sun Ra and Lionel Hampton, and spent many years on the faculty of Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle.

The quartet’s December gig will be on Dec. 4. On Wednesday, Jan. 8, the Quartet will be rounded out by vocals from BAAY director David Post. Dates for future events will be released once finalized.

The monthly series is presented by Western in conjunction with the Jazz Project – a Bellingham-based nonprofit organization formed in 1997 by drummer Jud Sherwood dedicated to increasing performance opportunities for local, regional, national, and international jazz musicians.

Tickets are available in advance through the Jazz Project at jazzproject.org and at the door. Admission is $10 for general public and $8 for Jazz Project members. Western students and any student under 18 are admitted free with a valid student ID. A pass for the whole series is available for $55 from the Jazz Project.

For more information, visit jazzproject.org or call (360) 650-1066.