What could be better for relaxing on a warm summer evening than a concert of smooth jazz, with Liberty Bay as a backdrop? If that sounds like your idea of a good time, grab the beach blanket, pack a picnic dinner and bring the family down to Poulsbo’s Waterfront Park July 20 to hear the Lee Pence Trio with vocalist Octavia Hope.
They are playing as part of the free Poulsbo Parks and Recreation’s Summer Nights on the Bay series, which continues every other Thursday night through August.
Guitarist Pence was something of a child prodigy, playing in a rock and roll band and sharing the bill with acts such as Sonny and Cher and Moby Grape when he was just 12.
He attended Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, where he studied jazz, and during the 1980s he played backup for artists such as B.J. Thomas and the Flying Burrito Brothers. In Seattle he as performed with the Bill Evans Dance Troupe and as a featured artist at Bumbershoot and the John Ritter Telethon. When he’s not playing guitar he’s a practicing attorney.
Bassist Stu Wakefield studied piano and jazz bass at the University of Montana, and backed up his musical career with a master of science degree. He has performed with a variety of jazz and rock acts throughout Montana and western Washington.
The trio is rounded out by a drummer, but Pence said they play with a variety of top drummers from the Seattle area.
Joining the trio for this performance is vocalist Octavia Hope, who has performed with the trio throughout the Northwest at venues such as the Bite of Seattle and Bellevue Live at Lunch.
She began singing in church choirs at age 3 and has also played violin as part of an award-winning orchestra based out of Maryland.
The trio and Hope recorded a CD this summer which is due for release soon. They perform 7 p.m. July 20 at Waterfront Park, Poulsbo.
If you enjoy their performance at Summer Nights by the Bay, the Lee Pence Trio will also be playing at the Old Town Bistro Martini and Wine Bar in Silverdale, formerly the Lighthouse Cafe, 8:30 p.m. July 22 and 28 and at the Port Gamble Arts and Crafts Festival, noon July 30.
Summer Nights on the Bay performances in August are The Reflections, playing golden oldies, Aug. 3 and classic rock and R&B with The Tropics Aug. 17.
