Mack Grout :::: Pianist

11.18.08 | New Track Uploaded
I just uploaded a new track! It is a medley of How Deep is the Ocean, and Dolphin Dance. Me and my good friend Clark Gibson -- who's CD we just finished cutting in the studio -- recorded this last spring, and I found it hiding in some distant file on my computer! Check it out, hope you enjoy. Also, check out Clark Gibson, and keep an eye out for the release of his debut CD! I will definitely let everyone know about it!

M

10.17.08 | Press release for Oct. 25th @ Port Townsend

10.02.08 | Thank you!
Thanks to all of you for coming out to the gig at Egans last week! The performance was an experiment, and it was a success! A night of Ray Charles was great fun, and is worth looking into further in the future!

You can now subscribe to my RSS feed at the link above.

Cheers,

Mack

07.28.08 | September 25th - Egans Ballard Jam House
I am putting together a band to play a tribute show to Ray Charles at the end of September. This should be a really fun show! I think that Ray Charles does not get enough credit in the jazz world, so I wanted to do a show of his standard material! Make sure to mark the date in your calendar, it will be a blast. It is a Thursday night, Egans has great food and good drink specials as well!

Also wanted to let you all know that I am super excited to be working on my first album. It is just me playing the piano, and singing some songs! Strictly jazz! It will be really fun to tour and promote since it is only me! (Don't have to hassle with my crazy band!! Haha!) Anyways I will keep you posted.

Cheers,

Mack

05.29.08 | NEW MEMBER OF THE DMQ
I am a new member of the Dudley Manlove Quartet, make sure to come check us out in the future, it will be a blast.

M

05.22.08 | OPENING FOR THE BAD PLUS TONIGHT!
Opening up for one of my idol bands tonight, The Bad Plus! Doors are at 8 at the Tractor Tavern in Ballard.
I am playing keys in a band, Osmosis, led by Daryl Bond. Come out and listen to some rockin' fusion! It is a totally fun band, you do not want to miss this show!
For more information, check under shows, or visit my event off of my facebook.com account.

05.22.08 | Singing with the Esoterics!
I have been fortunate enough to be let into the Esoterics, Seattles most innovative choir, led by Eric Banks.

Our performances will run June 21st - the 29th, the locations vary, so check out the website to find out which performance is nearest to you!

Here is some information about the piece's we will be performing.

DISTLER
Hugo Distler centennial

Born in Nuremberg on 24 June 1908, Hugo Distler attended Leipzig Conservatory, where he studied piano, conducting, composition, and organ. He served as an organist in Lübeck, and taught in Spandau before his appointment as professor of church music in Stuttgart. A profoundly religious man, Distler found himself caught in the crossfire during the escalation of World War II; he was only 25 when Hitler came to power. Driven by devotion that was far too progressive for the German traditionalism of his day, Distler composed, quite simply, the wrong music at the wrong time. Distler's music, replete with spiritual fervor that was not tolerated by the Nazis, was eventually labeled as "degenerate art." As a conscientious objector who was under the constant threat of conscription into the German army, Distler grew increasingly disillusioned and depressed. On 1 November 1942, the pressure became too much for the composer to bear. While his wife and children were out for a walk, Hugo Distler put his head in a gas oven, committing suicide at age 34. Distler's tragic life ended with an ironic footnote: on the following day, the letter arrived that would have exempted him from military service. Although his life was shorter than that of Mozart and he composed in a far more hostile climate, Hugo Distler was a prolific and pioneering choral composer. His virtuosic choral brilliance is exemplified in Geistliche Chormusik (Op 12), his collection of nine sacred motets composed between 1935 and 1941. These candidly quirky and delightfully demanding choral motets breathe new life into the four-square tunes of the German Reformation, and allow them to dance with spirited syncopation and pentatonic polyphony. Please join The Esoterics to celebrate the life and work of this master choral composer.

Concert schedule

Saturday, 21 Jun • 8:00pm • Tacoma
Trinity Lutheran Church • 12115 Park Ave S

Sunday, 22 Jun • 7:00pm • Lynnwood
Trinity Lutheran Church • 6215 196th St. SW (NEW VENUE)

Saturday, 28 Jun • 8:00pm • West Seattle
Holy Rosary Catholic Church • 4139 42nd Ave SW

Sunday, 29 Jun • 3:00pm • Seattle
Queen Anne Christian Church • 1316 3rd Ave W (NEW VENUE)


Individual tickets are available at the door for $20, or it can be purchased online using Paypal.
Online tickets are is not available on the day of the concert.
Please call 206-935-7779 if you want to reserve tickets.

03.30.08 | George Griffin
The show last night with George was great! It was one of those gigs that just made me feel that being a musician was the right thing for me to be doing! George is 71 and is a outstanding musician in every aspect of the word, and he has a great attitude, and amazing stories about touring and playing drums for the motown greats as well as the jazz and r&b favorites of the 70's.

Thanks George, look forward to playing with you again in the future.

I recommend everyone check out Fana's Cuisine off of 33rd and Rainier Ave. Great Ethiopian food and coffee! Family owned restaurant, super nice atmosphere.

Cheers,

Mack

03.22.08 | OPENING FOR THE BAD PLUS
My good friend and guitarist Daryl Bond hooked us up with a great gig on May 22nd. We will be opening for the power trio "The Bad Plus", a band we have all idolized for years! This is going to be a really great show, jam packed with great music so make sure you do not miss this one!

Cheers,

Mack

07.31.07 | E.P ON THE WAY
Hey! Just wanted to say that we are currently writing the music for our E.P that we will be recording at the end of August! Stay tuned for more info, you won't want to miss this!

Cheers,
Mack

07.11.07 | Big Band Music
My trio just secured a position as the rhythm section for the Phil Kelly Orchestra. The big band features many legendary players from around the area, and performs all original arrangements by Phil Kelly himself. Check out his site, and keep posted for a performance, you do not want to miss this!

Sincerely,

Mack

07.03.07 | Happy almost 4th
Happy J4.

Good news! I will be playing w/ a trio every Thursday and Friday evenings in Kent at the Blue Flame Chophouse, starting next week!

Also, Falling Grace (rock band I play keys in) will be recording an E.P. this month, keep your eyes open and make sure to get one when they are released!

Show at the Highdive was awesome, thanks for everyone who came out and to the Feeling Hijackers for having us. Pictures will be available soon.

Nord Lead 2x yea baby.

Cheers,
M

07.02.07 | Vox
Hey, I uploaded a couple of vocal tracks of me and Brendan O'Donnell on guitar, let me know what you think!

Cheers,
Mack

07.01.07 | Jim Knapp Orchestra
The Jim Knapp Orchestra is performing at the Seattle Drum School tonight, go check them out! I get to sit in with the band sometimes and I have to say they are an outstanding ensemble.

Later.

M

06.27.07 | NEW WEEKLY!
My good friends Brad Gibson (drums) and Devin (bass), and I will be performing weekly at the Blue Flame Chop House in Kent. Sets will be from 6:00-10:00pm on Thursday and Friday nights. The restaurant is not yet open, but will be looking at opening in the next few weeks. Make sure to come check it out, it will be outstanding food and there will be a kick ass band playing all the classic standards and jazz repetoire. Make sure to come with some requests!

Cheers,
M

06.22.07 | Thank You!
Thank you to everyone that came out to support us last night at The Upstage, the show was a huge success. I wanna give a special thanks to Mark the owner for booking us the gig! It was an evening of standards, and it was the hippest thing in town! Make sure you check us out again in December!

Cheers,

Mack

06.15.07 | Thank you Port Orchard!
Thanks to everyone that came out to support me and Chris at our performance on Tuesday. It was a definite hit! It is always a great time to play at home, and to get everyone together again to party! A recording of the performance is available, please let me know if you are interested at info@mackgrout.com

Cheers,

M

02.09.07 | Duke University
Duke University Law School has purchased a song I co-wrote with guitarist Taylor Brown for use in their promotional videos! Keep an open ear for the song "Black and White Photograph"!

12.19.06 | Construction
This website is currently under construction! Please be patient, it will be done soon.

12.19.06 | Port Orchard, Clinic and Show
The Mack Grout Band, featuring Chris Olson will be performing in Port Orchard, WA. Grab your friends and family and do not miss this opportunity to see what your friends have been doing the past few years! Prior to the evening concert, Mack and Chris will be teaching an improvisation clinic. The fundamentals of improvising will be covered as well as the basics of understanding harmony. Order your tickets soon, seating is limited!

Where: Western Washington Center for the Arts
521 Bay Street, Port Orchard WA 98366
When: December 28th,
Clinic: 1:30-3:30 pm
Show: doors at 6:30, first set is at 7:30
Tickets at 360.871.5454

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