Matt Schofield hits the Pacific Northwest!

I caught up the Matt Schofield Trio for three of their gigs in the Pacific NW. Here is a quick report on that portion of Matt Schofield’s current U.S.A. tour.

Well, Matt and the guys are well over half way through their current tour of the U.S., (as I type this I notice that they are in Petaluma, CA @ the Mystic Theater today). When they pulled into Seattle last Friday they had driven around 3,000 miles over 11-12 days and done 10 gigs or so. Matt mentioned that they were averaging 300+ miles a day of driving (check out the photo of their tour vehicle). Along the way taking such scenic routes as Sioux Falls, South Dakota, through Sheridan, Wyoming, to Bozeman, Montana, a 800 plus mile trip covering some of the less populated portions of America. Flat, dusty and brown…

Friday night they had an outstanding gig at the Triple Door in Seattle (one of the premier music venues in town). Matt had performed in this room last year and drew a slightly larger crowd this time (the room seats 250 and the crowd was in the ballpark of 150), especially consider that its summer and Festival Season). Former London resident Son Jack Jr. and Michael Wilde opened (see photo). The lighting wasn’t particularly good for Matt’s set (a Schofield imposed issue), but I have enclosed a photo or two of the Triple Door gig.

All Photographs © Blues Boss - Dennis Dudley

Saturday Matt and the guys drove up to Deming, WA (near the Canadian border) for the Mt. Baker Blues Festival (day 2 or 3). Several local acts performed, followed by touring acts Ana Popovic and the Average White Band. The Trio spent the day socializing and catching up with musician friends (including Hamilton Loomis and his Band who were in the area at the same time – Hamilton closed Friday night @ Mt. Baker). The Matt Schofield Trio was the closing act for Saturday, and with AWB running over on their set and some sound issues involving Jonny Henderson equipment, MST had an abbreviated set. They also got to deal with the late night arrival of a horde of insects (primarily moths). Matt almost had a “snack” while singing one tune. Once again lighting issues provided less than stellar photos. Here are a couple shots.

Sunday involved a 275 mile drive south to Portland, Oregon for the gig @ the Alberta Rose Theater. The Alberta Rose Theater is a wonderful conversion of an old neighborhood movie house into a music showroom venue. Add wonderful lighting for us amateur photographers, great sound, and a raucous approving crowd (including friends of Matt’s father) and this was by far the best performance of the three days I “shadowed” the Trio. At one point Matt said: “You guys are great. Everyone climb in the van, we’re taking you to the rest of our gigs!”.

At this point I thanked Matt, Jonny and Kevin for their co-operating with this pestering photographer. A couple of quick goodbyes as they were signing autographs for their fans, and they were off to California the next day while I returned to Seattle. A well spent three days!

Blues Boss (Dennis Dudley)