Masterful music pops up at arts center

Published 1:30 am Wednesday, February 9, 2022

Gallery-goers at Vashon Center for the Arts on Sunday afternoon were treated to a pop-up concert, performed by bassist Bruce Phares and pianist Jeremy Bacon.

The duo, who are both well-known jazz masters in the Seattle scene and beyond, will open the upcoming concert, “An Evening With Diane Schuur,” at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 19, at VCA. (See page 8.)

Phares moved from Seattle to Vashon in March of 2020 and played one of the first concerts offered when VCA opened up after pandemic restrictions. He said he was now excited to bring live jazz to the atrium of the arts center and hopes to make other intimate acoustic music experiences a regular Sunday afternoon occurrence in the vaulted, airy space.

He’s also helped bring music to First Friday gallery openings at the center, recently recruiting local piano wunderkind, 17-year-old Zander Knodt, to play on those occasions. The atrium, he said, provides an environment perfect for showcasing the musicianship of special guest artists, local legends and rising stars on the island scene.

— Elizabeth Shepherd