Darren Motamedy dinner-dance at Pogacha of Issaquah July 11, 2009

Acclaimed local jazz saxophonist Darren Motamedy will entertain guests at a dinner/dance open to the public. Motamedy is a regular performer in the bar on Saturday nights. For this event Motamedy will perform in Pogacha's back dining room, where guests can eat, listen and dance. Dinner reservations are strongly recommended by calling 425-392-5550.

Born in 1959 in Los Angeles, Motamedy has been playing music since fifth grade when his family moved to Seattle. He started on the clarinet. Soon school lessons expanded to private lessons. "My first teacher taught me to transpose music, write music, and learn all of my scales." Those early lessons were the foundation for where he is today.

He auditioned on his clarinet for his high school jazz band but later took up sax. He continue his studies in symphonic band on the clarinet, and begin his venture into jazz on the saxophone. He started playing jazz with a 1920s silver "Holton" alto saxophone, one that he still owns and treasures to this day.

Motamedy elected to focus his energy playing the saxophone, clarinet, and flute at Central Washington University, a school renowned for its extensive music department. He not only received the music department's prestigious "Presser Scholarship" but also graduated with a degree in Music Education.

Motamedy has thrilled his audiences with his music, and has released six CDs that have won critical acclaim. He served as ambassador of music to Taiwan during the 2000 Northwest Culture Celebration in Taipei. While there he met Chateau St. Michelle wineries executive chef John Sarich, who encouraged him to write a theme song for Sarich's television show "The Best of Taste." Motamedy did that and every week 40,000 listeners are treated to Motamedy's "The Best of Taste" theme music on Sarich's cooking show.

Entertainment is free with paid dinner.

Official Website: http://www.pogacha.com