The Sharp Five Collective (aka #V Collective) formed because of our love of post-bop quintet and sextet jazz of the late 50’s to early 60’s and beyond - artists like Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers, Miles Davis, Wayne Shorter, Horace Silver, Joe Henderson, and others.  It was conceived as a collective to provide an opportunity to welcome other like-minded jazz players in the area who love this music to rotate in and bring this material to live audiences in Northwest Washington.  The lineup is:

Andy Simmons - Bass

Andy has called Bellingham home for the past 20 years.  His musical journeys have taken him around the world crossing time zones and musical genres.  Some highlights of his ongoing adventure include the opportunity to study with the legendary Ray Brown and performances with jazz greats McCoy Tyner, Kenny Garrett and Ernie Watts.

Cary Stevens - Drums

Cary grew up in Missoula, Montana and studied jazz from an early age.  He was the recipient of the Louis Armstrong Jazz Award and attended the U of M, playing in their top jazz workshop band as a freshman.  He moved to the Pacific Northwest and continued his studies with Mel Brown.  Arriving in Bellingham in 1991, he’s played with several of the local jazz bands including the Northern Lights Jazz Orchestra, the Salt Water Octet, as well as being a long-time member of R&B band The Atlantics.

Loch Clark - Trumpet and Flugelhorn

Loch has played in the Bellingham jazz scene for many years in both combos and big bands, including as a long term member of the Northern Lights Big Band ( jazz chair),  and with Latin Tinge Septet. Recently he has  performed in duo format  with Seattle guitarist Milo Petersen, and also with Bellingham pianist Bill MacDonough.

Andy Carr - Piano

Andy has been active in Pacific Northwest musical circles since 1978, as accompanist/arranger for vocalists, choirs, and musical theatre; and as jazz pianist with groups ranging from small combos to big bands. Andy maintains a busy schedule performing with ensembles around the North Sound, including A’Town Big Band; Herding Kats Nonet; Whistle Lake Jazz Quartet; Fat Fridays; and the Jazz Collective. He is a founding member of Tangoheart, the Northwest’s premier tango ensemble.

Mark Kelly - Saxophone, Flute

Mark has played and taught music in the Bellingham area since 1983, having graduated from WWU with a teaching degree and later a conducting masters. He founded the Bellingham Youth Jazz Band in 1997 and has taught and played at the Blaine Harbor Jazz camp since 2002.

This event is not ticketed. However, cash donations of appreciation are gladly accepted.