The first-ever North Bend Jazz Walk turned out to be a big success.

Each of the six venues were swinging with music all night long and packed full of attendees excited to see downtown North Bend all abuzz.

Patrons seemed to figure out the routine and plan their routes to take in the various groups. Kyle at Twede’s said that they sold a ton of pie, North Bend Theatre was full, Pioneer Coffee had people coming out the seams, as well as Valley Center Stage, North Bend Bar & Grill and Boxley’s.

More than 60 musicians showed up to entertain, including Janette West, Carolyn Graye, Paul Green, Future Jazz Heads, The 133rd Army National Guard Jazz Patriots and the Andrews Sisters Tribute, Jay Thomas Quartet, Tracy Knoop, Aria Prame, Bernie Jacobs, Kelly Eisenhour, Alexey Nikolaev, Chris Symer, Gregg Belisle-Chi, Leah Stillwell, Milo Petersen, Diana Page, Katy Bourne, Marty Tuttle, Ed Weber, Michael Marcus, Chris Clark, Brian Gmerek, Matt Wenman, Ron Peters, Dawn Clement, Nate Parker, Adam Kessler, Geoff Cooke, Greg Schroeder, Greg Williamson, John Hansen, Jon Hamar, myself and more.

Plus, more than 750 patrons came out to support this first event, and they seemed to all enjoy themselves. It was fun to see so many walking down the sidewalk, talking about the music, talking about the town; until they came to the next Jazz Walk Venue, sign on the street, of course.

“I think one of the reasons people enjoyed this event so much,” Matt Wenman said to me, “is that it made North Bend feel the way they want it to feel.”  Wenman performed with the 133 Army National Guard Band; Jazz Patriots and Andrew Sisters Tribute to a packed crowd at the North Bend Theatre.

The event was sponsored and produced by the non-profit Boxley’s Music Fund, which is organized and run by members who want to support live music programs and education in the Snoqualmie Valley.

We want to recognize the Jazz Walk Committee Chairperson for the event, Audrey Paisley. She did a bang up job and deserves all the credit for her hard work in organizing the many volunteers.  This event went off with barely a hitch.

We also want to thank our sponsors without whom this would not have been possible to get off the ground.  Intek Technologies, PC Bennett Consulting, Carmichael’s, Encompass, the Stranger, KPLU, Earshot Jazz, Frankie’s Pizza, Valley Record, the city of North Bend, Hauglie Insurance, Down the Road Band, and Pony Boy Records.

The question remains, what to do next?  Stay tuned.  We will think of something.

Danny Kolke

North Bend