The Notables

The Notables bring the greatest music of the 20th century to the jazz-quartet format of piano, drums, tenor sax and string bass. No random group of “hired guns,” the Notables have a level of polish that can only be achieved by years of playing together nightly. As the house band for both the “Queen of the West” and “Empress of the North” sternwheeler ships, the Notables have worked consistently as a tightly-woven musical unit in a live setting for many years. They possess an in-depth and thoughtful knowledge of the various jazz eras.

The Notables’ Portland-based bandleader Todd Bishop has led numerous jazz, avant-garde and indie rock groups, and has produced six CDs of original music for Seattle’s seminal jazz label Origin Records. He boasts a rich family legacy of musicianship as well: His brother John Bishop (owner of Origin Records) also founded and produced Seattle’s beloved Ballard Jazz Festival.  Todd’s multi-layered, organic style and compelling musicianship has thrilled audiences with visceral performances owing as much to the influence of Keith Moon or Olatunji as to the jazz masters Elvin Jones, Art Blakey and Max Roach.

The Notables were born from among Todd's best musical friends over the years.    The band has an extensive repertoire and rarely gets a request it can’t satisfy immediately. Its range of material includes: swing/big band; American Songbook; hits from the 1920s through the ’80s; rock & roll; bossanova; ballroom dance styles; classic country; Dixieland; songbook of Frank Sinatra; the hits of Burt Bacharach, bebop, hard bop.

Click here to view a recent live performance of “Fly Me to the Moon” at a home 40th birthday celebration.

To paraphrase comments the band has heard many times:
"Where did boys so young and handsome learn all these old songs?"
"Thanks for playing our song. It seems like no one plays this material anymore!" 
"We haven't heard that since our prom in 1945 [or '55 or '65]! Thank you!”