Bryant Allard grew up in Del Mar, just outside of San Diego. Bryant graduated from the Berklee College of Music in Boston. In 1986 Bryant created M.U.S.E. a music program that created band programs in private elementary schools. Over the next 14 years, Bryant developed programs in over 50 schools in 3 states. The trumpeter has played with many musicians including Robert Goulet, Bobby Torres, Leroy Vinegar, Mel Brown, Tall Jazz, Conjunto Allegre, Robert Hicks, Ron Steen, Mark Levine, and others. Byrant performs at many of the local venues in Portland, Oregon including the Bensen Hotel and The Jazz De Opus.

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Arnold is a fixture on the Portland jazz and blues scene for over two decades. His imposing height is belied by an engaging charm on stage. His deep baritone voice first came to prominence as part of the Arnold Brothers, which he led with his brother, Allen. 20 years later, Arnold swings with his group, doing everything from Lou Rawls to jazz standards and R&B favorites. The Groove Swingers are a collection of area all-stars who complement Arnold's style and flair with practiced execution.

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World-traveler Avi was classically trained at Los Angeles’ Guitar Institute. He settled in Australia in the mid-’80s and quickly became a fixture in the local scene as part of the popular acoustic duo, DNA Expose. The group toured all over Australia, playing 250 shows a year. Later, Avi toured Malaysia with singer Anna Maria LaSpina, who would later go on to sing with Savage Garden. Avi moved to California and for a while toured with Airto and Flora Purim as their road manager, but music called, and he moved to the Northwest. He currently performs as a solo act, playing and singing a diversity of music, from jazz and classical, to Brazilian, blues, pop and rock. He also currently plays with the sax and guitar duo In Good Measure.

The Pacific Northwest's
premiere contemporary jazz guitarist
Dan Balmer heads up the Dan Balmer
Quartet, affectionately know as a
funky organ group. The quartet will
feature Louis Pain, Renalto Carranto,
and Carlton Jackson. Balmer has performed
with an impressive line of talented
musicians including Andy Narrel, Jim
Pepper, David Friesen, Glen Moore,
Jessica Williams, and the late Red
Mitchell. Currently, Dan is also on
the faculty at Lewis and Clark College
in Portland, Oregon.

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Barber is one of those artists that when anybody hears her live, they are immediately enthralled. Her sparse but pointed piano playing, smoky, laid back vocals, and introspective jazz nature have made her a favorite of the new wave of jazz. Barber is perfect for late night performances, slinking over the piano and coyly working her vocals to the crowd. The Chicago native has been around for over two decades, but has become a true jazz star only in the last several years. Her style and her playing are the epitome of “Modern Cool,” the title of her 1998 album, and her fan base keeps growing with her fame.

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With a 40-year career and counting, Brown is a highly accredited Northwest drummer, bandleader and educator. He has been a fixture on the Portland jazz scene and has been labeled "The Gentleman of Jazz" and "The Musician's Musician." Brown has led some of the Northwest's most popular bands, including his great Septet, B-3 Organ Quartet, and his straight-ahead Quartet. Brown spent years as a staff drummer for the Motown Music Corporation, recording and touring with groups including the Temptations, the Supremes, and Smokey Robinson. He subsequently spent ten years working with Diana Ross, Suzanne Somers, Connie Francis, Pat Boone, and others. As an educator Brown is tops. Every summer students of all ages head to Western Oregon University for an intense, week-long education in jazz performance. Mel Brown heads the workshop faculty of some of Oregon's finest jazz musicians.

Charlap has long been a favorite in New York, where his sophisticated playing first caught the ears of jazz club and hotel lobby listeners. He has since grown to become a highly respected solo artist, as well as a sought-after sideman. Charlap’s style has been described as many things – sophisticated, hard-swinging, inventive, rigorous, melodic, and elegant. His influences range from the great songwriters of the past, Richard to piano greats like Garner, Monk, Tommy Flanagan and McCoy Tyner. He has fused elements of those players into his own, vibrant sound.

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Pianist Darin Clendenin grew up in Portland. He has played w/ Local greats Leroy Vinneger, Nancy King and Ron Steen, and has recorded with Dave Weckl, Paul Mazzio, Jake Kot and Eric Marienthal. He moved to Seattle 7 years ago and became a favorite of vocalists like Edmonia Jarrett, Ernestine Anderson and Greta Matassa.

Curtin has been singing since high school where she performed in musical theater productions and folk music ensembles. She first came to local and national attention through her 15 year career as one of this country's most accomplished interpreters of Irish traditional music. From 1989-1996 her band, The Strayaways, enjoyed a busy concert schedule around the United States and Ireland. Since 1996 Nancy has turned her musical heart to the realms of classical and jazz singing. For the past four years her focus has been on Brazilian Jazz, and she recently released her first CD of this music entitled "Songs from Brazil."

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Daniels is a fantastically talented vocalist, with the ability to jump between jazz, blues and gospel seamlessly. She impressed audiences last year with her “Great Ladies of Swing” vocal tribute to some of the best in jazz, performed with the Oregon Symphony. Her pliable, rich, emotive voice helped channel the greats, like Ella, Sarah, and Billie. This year, Daniels will be featured with a group of local players, sure to bring out the best in her distinctive voice. A respected clinician, Dee sincerely believes in sharing her knowledge and experience with young singers/musicians. In 2001, she established the ‘Dee Daniels Jazz Vocal Scholarship’ at the Capilano College in North Vancouver, B.C.

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Rob Davis is a saxophonist who brings musicality, openness, rich and varied experience, solid technique, directness and daring to every gig he takes on. He is a music graduate of the University of Washington who's tenor sax is regularly heard to full advantage in The Davis/Taylor Project, a quintet which he co-leads with fellow saxophonist Mark Taylor, winner of the Earshot Jazz "Golden Ear Award" for Best Emerging Jazz Group), and Matthew Jorgensen + 451. Rob is also prized for his commitment to the evolving legacy of big band jazz, as a member of the Jim Knapp Orchestra and a past member of the Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra. Rob has also been heard at Northwest festivals and concerts playing with orchestras led by Ray Charles, Bob Florence and Gerald Wilson. He has performed alongside such luminaries as Ernestine Anderson, Eddie Daniels, Billy Hart, Bud Shank and Pete Christlieb.

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Day has a voice that is evocative of another time, yet refreshingly modern. Remembered for her work with the Grammy-nominated ’80s pop band NU SHOOZ (and the hit, “I Can’t Wait,” Valerie has returned to her musical roots and her love of jazz. Whether fronting a big band or singing with a small jazz combo, Valerie injects new life into standards from the Great American Songbook with impressive range and effortless delivery.

Valerie remains an in-demand singer and session player, performing and recording with artists ranging from the Oregon Symphony Pops to pianist Michael Allen Harrison, celebrated jazz songwriter/pianist David Frishberg, African drummer Obo Addy and many others. Her group, the Knights of Swing, is made up of musicians from the Woody Hite Big Band. The band swings behind Day’s clear, melodic voice, and her beautiful takes on classic ballads get to the heart of each song. She sums up the “Knights of Swing” project by saying. “Doing this record got me reconnected with the reason I do music in the first place - because it brings me joy.”

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Bassist Dietz earned his BS in Arts and Letters in 1990 and his MS in Teaching in 1994 from Portland State University. He is currently active as an artist, clinician and adjudicator throughout the Northwest, and teaches at Lewis & Clark, Willamette University and other Northwest colleges. He has played with multiple recording artists, ranging from Mel Brown and Dave Brubeck to Nancy King and Robert Goulet. He is active as both a jazz bassist and concert classical player, and is one of the Northwest's most versatile players.

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Eubanks is a musician that is always looking to express and communicate his life through music. He leads a band, Mental Images, and performs with the critically-acclaimed, multi-award winning, Dave Holland Quintet. He also holds a position as Assistant Professor of Jazz Trombone at the Oberlin Conservatory.
He has long been considered to be at the forefront of new directions in music and on the trombone in particular. He's done work on television and film including The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Saturday Night Live, "Jungle Fever" and "Mo' Better Blues." He's also performed on Broadway in "Black and Blue," "Dream Girls" and "Grease." He has been a winner of both DownBeat and Swing Journal's international polls.

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Saxophonist Evans came to Portland from New Orleans in 1994. In the Crescent City he performed with Pete Fountain, B. B. King, Mose Allison, Nicholas Payton, Brian Blade, Johnny Mathis, Gladys Knight, The Four Tops, The Temptations, and many others. Locally, he has performed or recorded with Art Abrams, Dan Balmer, Phil Baker, Mel Brown, Dan Faehnle, Dave Frishberg, Darrell Grant, Tom Grant, Carlton Jackson, Rebecca Kilgore, Nancy King, Ron Steen and many others. Look for his new CD, "I Didn't Know About You", featuring Mike Wofford, Bob Magnusson and Joe La Barbera, available now on the Heavywood label. Evans is bringing Matt Lemmler, an in-demand pianist from New Orleans who plays with seemingly everyone in that city, and was also the pianist in the national tour of Phantom of the Opera for four years.

Anyone acquainted with David Friesen's exceptional music quickly thinks of his creative universe. Friesen is compassionate and his music founded on integrity and the pursuit of excellence. After a stint in the Army, Friesen returned to Seattle, where he jammed with local musicians, like Larry Coryell and Randy Brecker. Friesen moved to Portland in 1973 and opened his own coffeehouse. Joe Henderson was his next association, which was followed by a 1975 summer tour with the Billy Harper Quintet, which opened new doors and led to stints with Stan Getz, Sam Rivers, Kenny Drew, George Adams and Danny Richmond, and concerts with Dexter Gordon and Mose Allison. Then in 1976-77, he joined Ted Curson, who showcased Friesen's solo bass work and gave him more visibility. Musical associations with legendary pianist Mal Waldron and flutist Paul Horn, who he accompanied on a historic 4 week, 18-concert tour of the Soviet Union, followed. Friesen continues to impress with solo concerts, duo and trio projects, music education, and his own quintet with area players.

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Portland keyboardist/composer Giberson's artistic talent and musicianship are coming to the forefront. A Southwest Washington native, he studied at the University of Miami, New York University, where he studied with Jim McNeely, Fred Hersch and Vince Maggio. Clay has released three recordings on the Origin Arts record label, and has performed throughout Europe, Scandinavia, the Mediterranean, the South Pacific and Caribbean and Japan. Clay also served as musical director for shows in Atlantic City and has performed at such well known New York jazz clubs as Birdland and the Knitting Factory. Having been influenced by all types of music, Clay draws from these idioms in his own compositions and in the interpretation of others. Currently is involved with the groups "Upper Left Trio" and "Go By Train."

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Gilmore is a singer-pianist whose musical career spans 28 years. Originally from Southern California, John majored in music at UCLA, John won First Prize in the Frank Sinatra Awards, Pop Vocal category. He worked in the Los Angeles area from 1974 through 1991 as an entertainer and band leader. As a solo act, he appeared at the world-renowned Jimmy's Restaurant in Beverly Hills, a six-year engagement where he performed regularly for such notable customers as Frank Sinatra, Bob Newhart, Natalie Cole, Stevie Wonder and many others. From 1991 through 1995 John starred in a television commercial for Henry Weinhard beer, playing the character "Tex Velvet." Since moving to Portland in 1992, John has performed solo and in group settings at such venues as Timberline Lodge, the Benson Hotel, the Heathman Hotel and at numerous social events and corporate functions throughout the Portland area. Since October 1996, John has appeared at Wilf's Restaurant and Piano Bar in Portland.

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Grant has traveled a path from pianist with jazz legends and in-demand New York sideman to critically-acclaimed bandleader and composer, to respected educator and singular solo artist. Grant was born May 30, 1962 in Pittsburgh, and grew up in Denver. At 17 Darrell got his degree from the famed Eastman School of Music. He pursued graduate studies in jazz at the University of Miami and in 1986 he relocated to New York City, where he broke into the jazz scene performing with Woody Shaw, Junior Cook, and Charlie Persip. Darrell was introduced to international audiences in 1988 as the pianist in Betty Carter's trio. Darrell quickly became one of New York's most in-demand players, touring and recording with jazz artists like Frank Morgan, Sonny Fortune, Craig Harris, Greg Osby, Don Braden and Roy Haynes. In 1992 he replaced Mulgrew Miller as pianist in Tony Williams' quintet. He left New York for Portland in 1997, replacing pianist Andrew Hill on the jazz faculty of Portland State University, where he is now a tenured professor. In 1999, he started Lair Hill Records and released "Smokin' Java," a swinging love letter to his newfound sense of community in the Northwest, featuring Donald Harrison, Brian Blade and Joe Locke. Darrell performs extensively as a bandleader and solo artist throughout the U.S., Canada, and Europe in venues ranging from clubs to major jazz festivals.

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Tom Grant is an institution in the Northwest music scene. The singer and pianist was a pioneer of jazz fusion and adult contemporary jazz, most notably with his popular Tom Grant Band. The late Jim Pepper found Grant out of the University of Oregon and had him record with him. That led to touring and recording with greats like Woody Shaw, Joe Henderson, Charles Lloyd and Tony Williams. His own recordings have typically topped the smooth jazz charts, but recently Grant has been in a more straight-ahead mood, with his recent disc "Nice Work If You Can Get It." He was last year's inductee into the Jazz Society of Oregon Hall of Fame.

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Gypsy Cab plays a wide variety of acoustic music. Often times including traditional jazz standards, 30's "hot jazz", and Parisian "cafe music" in the same set. In recreating some of the acoustic swing music that was popular in prewar Europe, Django Reinhardt has become one of their biggest influences. With two acoustic guitars, acoustic bass, and violin, they approximate the sound of the early Hot Club of France (which featured Django.) On guitar, Jason Okamoto has been playing guitar in Portland for several years and most recently was playing with Pete Krebs and the Kung Pao Chickens and Hot Club Sandwich. Also on guitar, Bryan Darby has been leading the Portland based swing band, Everythings Jake for more than 15 years. On violin, Eddie Parente has played a wide variety of styles throughout his musical life from Mariachi, Tango, International Folk, and Classical, all the while passionately pursuing Jazz. He is presently principal violinist in the "Pacific Crest Sinfonietta". Although Eddie's home is Portland, he frequently travels to Russia playing both Jazz and Classical music in Clubs, Festivals, concert halls, collaborating and making friends with some great musicians there. On bass, Craig Snazelle is very active in the Portland jazz scene and has also toured with many nationally based acts, most recently being The Righteous Brothers.

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Recently, Haden acknowledged that his Los Angeles-based Quartet West, featuring Alan Broadbent, Ernie Watts & Larance Marable, was his personal favorite of his many “musical faces.” Those faces include collaborations with numerous artists, ranging from his early days with Art Pepper, Paul Bley and Ornette Coleman, to his groundbreaking Liberation Music Orchestra, and off and on with Quartet West. He is one of the world’s top bassists and heavily in demand as a solo artist and backing musician. His command of his instrument, and his forceful-yet-nuanced nature, have made him an artist to follow for decades.

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Helgerson left a lucrative, eight-year career as a realtor to pursue her passion as a professional musician. It was a decision of passion for music, and she is getting enough critical acclaim to prove that the choice was the right one. Her band, Amelia, is a genre-blending group that is parts folk, jazz, Latin, and country. As a jazz singer Helgerson is gaining praise for her husky, smoky and gentle vocals. Pianist Randy Porter brings out Helgerson's jazzier side and lets her find new places to take her talented voice.

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Hailed by Down Beat magazine as Artist of the Year, Acoustic Group of the Year, Album of the Year, and Bassist of the Year, the Dave Holland Quintet, featuring Chris Potter, Alex Sipiagin, Steve Nelson, and Nate Smith, is simply the culmination of Holland’s celebrated life in jazz. Holland is the consummate musician, respected by all and truly a class act. The British native started his career playing with budding jazz artists like John McLaughlin and Kenny Wheeler, but it was with Miles Davis, during the experimental “Bitches Brew” sessions that Holland made his mark. He then went on to play with Circle, Stan Getz, Sam Rivers and Betty Carter before starting a successful solo career that has put him at the top of the jazz game, with no signs of slowing down.

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Linda started singing at the age of six in the Grace & Truth Pentecostal Church, a church her father, Bishop H. Hornbuckle pastored. She began thrilling audiences in the Pacific Northwest, Europe, Canada and across the U.S. just a few years later. As Portland's most sought after backup singer, she has toured and/or recorded with artists such as Quarterflash and Nu-Shooz. She later became lead vocalist for the high profile Portland band, Body & Soul and in 1992 became the driving force for the Blues act Linda Hornbuckle & the No DeLay Band. Today, Linda has become a bandleader herself and continues to play with some of the Northwest’s most dynamic musicians. Her voice is one of the area’s most powerful blues/soul/gospel/jazz voices.

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As just a sax and guitar duo, Kyle O'Brien (saxes) and Avi (guitar) manage to make a rich and full sound that goes way beyond just two people. Jumping between myriad styles, from jazz to blues, pop to rock and all areas in-between, In Good Measure is one of the most versatile duos working around the Portland area. They have been a part of several jazz festivals around the Northwest and continue to be in demand at clubs, hotels and private functions. Avi made a name for himself in Australia, where he worked in various successful groups, while Kyle is a veteran jazz musician who studied all jazz styles in college and played in the scenes in Sacramento, Reno, and Denver before moving to Portland.

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The Los Angeles Times once wrote of Carlton Jackson's drumming as "intensely musical." This description has aptly described him during his long and varied musical career. The Portland native co-leads an 18 piece big band with composer/arranger Dave Mills and has a trio of his own, as well as being a sought after sideman. Carlton's well-documented work with Tom Grant, Dan Balmer, Terry Robb, Leroy Vinnegar, Curtis Salgado, and others, have solidified his status as an engaging, versatile performer. His drumming has appeared on feature films, television and radio commercials.

Tim Jensen is a highly versatile woodwind player and composer. A native of Detroit, Tim began studying flute at age twelve, saxophone at fifteen, and clarinet at seventeen. Tim also backed up artists including Johnny Mathis, Rosemary Clooney and Julie Andrews, and began playing for Broadway shows. In 1987, Tim accepted a position with the national touring company of Cats. In Portland, Tim has performed with the Oregon Symphony, the Portland Opera, David Friesen, and the John Fedchock Big Band. He tours periodically with Les Miserables and can be heard on various woodwinds on upcoming releases by drummer Gary Hobbs, pianist Gordon Lee, The Third Angle New Music Ensemble, and The Chuck Israels/Rob Scheps Big Band.

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Kadderly brings to the stage a pure and unique voice. She is known for a great pop and jazz sense, going back and forth between the two with seamless ease. Her album, “I Go Zoom” on her own record label was a top-selling CD in the Northwest for five weeks in a row, and she continues to record and sing live. Kadderly is on the faculty at several Portland-area colleges, teaching music theory, singing and piano, and she routinely leads vocal workshops with fellow Portland vocalist Nancy King. She plays piano as well and is also an accomplished actress.

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Keller has long been a Portland favorite. She brings a special magic to the stage with her inviting presence and flawless vocal styling. Diversity is one of her greatest assets and she displays it by appearing with a wide variety of performance groups. She is at home singing jazz, gospel, traditional jazz, blues, musicals and more. She performs around town with groups like Rue De Blues, Tall Jazz, Disciples in Song, Tom Grant, and the Thara Memory Super Band, and she has sung at numerous large festivals throughout the country, from gospel gatherings to jazz festivals.

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Nancy had been performing locally and along the West Coast with pianist/composer Steve Christofferson since 1978. During the mid-90's Nancy and Steve were on the faculties of the Stanford University Jazz Workshop, Bud Shank's Centrum Jazz Workshop and Jazz Camp West, and performed at festivals in France, the U.S., Israel and Canada. In 1998 Nancy was reunited with Ray Brown on his cd "Some Of My Best Friends Are Singers" (Telarc) which also featured vocalists Dee Dee Bridgewater, Kevin Mahogany, Marlena Shaw, Etta Jones and Diana Krall. The recording peaked at #1 on the Gavin Jazz Chart in January 1999.

In early 2000 Stellar Records released "Dream Lands", a compilation of duet recordings with Steve Christofferson commissioned by the Canadian Broadcast Corporation. Performances in 2000 included a concert with Karrin Allyson Elvis Costello, and Deborah Harry.

In 2001 Nancy was inducted into the Oregon Jazz Society's Hall of Fame. That summer Nancy and Steve were on the faculty of Bud Shank's Centrum Jazz Workshop, and Nancy toured England and Holland with "The Fire at Keaton's Bar & Grill".

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The freewheeling musical combo Klezmocracy leaves few musical stones unturned. This eclectic group of professionals has pooled their many years of musical experience and are cooking up an Afro-Hebrew musical stew seasoned with Latin, Jazz, Cabaret, Rock and Klezmer. The driving, passionate musical blend is both fun and intensely passionate, and the quartet is quickly becoming a popular show in the Northwest. The group is made up of Ralph Huntley (piano/keyboards), Joseph Janiga, (drums and percussion), Michael Papillo, (acoustic and electric bass), and Courtney Von Drehle (saxophones and accordion).

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From 1978 to 1982 Caren was a top R&B, Pop, & Funk vocalist in the Pacific Northwest, performing with groups: Slowtrain, Jr. Bad, Mercy, and Jim Pepper's Pow-Wow. Critics and the public in Oregon voted her Best Female R&B Vocalist in 1980 and 1982.

Caren moved to New York City in 1983, and continued to tour and record with various funk, R&B and jazz artists in the US, Canada, Mexico, and Europe. In 1987 she received a Bachelor of Fine Arts (in Jazz) from The Leonard Davis Center of Performing Arts, The City College of New York. She has performed and recorded with noted artists: Sheila Jordan, Ron Carter, Paul Motian, Dewey Redman, Kirk Lightsey, Danny O'Keefe, Jim Pepper, and Don Cherry. In 1988 Caren was adopted into the Inuit tribe at their Annual Alaska Native Spirit Days Celebration in Anchorage. In 1995 Caren appeared in the documentary film "Pepper's Pow-Wow" produced by Sandra "Sunrising" Osawa. She performed at the 2000 NAMMY'S (Native American Music Awards) in a Lifetime Musical Achievement Tribute to the late Jim Pepper with such artists as Bill Miller, Rita Coolidg, Kevin Locke, Joanne Shenandoah, Freddie Whiteface, Jim Boyd, Mickey Hart, and John Densmore. Caren received two NAMA nominations in 2003 for her collaboration on the TUTU recording "Witch-Tai-To: The Music Of Jim Pepper". Recorded in Germany, this project included arrangements of Pepper's songs by conductor Gunther Schuller and bassist Ed Schuller. Caren was the first female artist nominated in the Native Heart category.

Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, Bill Lamb has gone on to perform throughout the globe and record with accomplished artists Elton John, Johnny Mathis, members of the band the Eagles, and Crystal Gayle. Throughout his career, he has worked in various divisions of the recording giant, Warner Brothers Records, having the opportunity to create with the legendary producer Glyn Johns, producer of The Eagles and Eric Clapton. Guitarist, keyboardist, vocalist, and songwriter; multi-instrumentalist Bill Lamb has had much success with his original songs recorded by Kenny Rogers, Nicollete Larson, Ronna Reeves, The Spinners, Randy Meisner of The Eagles, and Ian Mathews. Bill & Aaron Meyer co-wrote and co-produced their first CD together, Near The Edge, which debuted with Oregon Ballet Theatre in March 2000. The duo also co-wrote the music for A Winter's Dance - holiday music from around the world, and their recent production & CD Iniziare.

Storm is not your normal jazz singer. She is a presence, one who has created much buzz around Portland with her unique and sexy approach to singing. With her band, the Balls, she brings jazz and rock together in a most interesting way. She sings covers of rock tunes, but makes them sound like torch songs, jazz ballads, and show tunes. Her powerhouse voice can burst through any room, but she knows how to build a song, making it a truly one-of-a-kind experience. Call it "loungecore" or jazz or rock, but definitely call Storm an original.

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Latarski and band have been on the blues scene since 1995 when they formed to play a set on the main stage at the Eugene Celebration in Eugene. Formed around the writing and playing of guitarist Don Latarski and featuring the vocalese of longtime collaborator Marilyn Keller, the band rips through jazz inflected original blues as well as jump, swing, jungle boogie, sultry Americana slow blues and shuffles. The sound of the group is both tight and experienced. They blend the gut wrenching emotion of blues with a sublime twist of jazz. It's blues for the modern times. The band also features Mark Schneider on bass, Jason Palmer on drums and Devin Sanders on Hammond organ. Latarski is also adjunct instructor and head of guitar studies at the University of Oregon School of Music.

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Lee is a composer, jazz pianist, arranger, conductor and music educator who is well-known throughout the Pacific Northwest. Lee believes that jazz has given him a musical language to express himself in traditional forms from European idioms of music. He has taught at Portland State University, Portland Community College, Clackamas Community College and currently teaches jazz improvisation and directs a big band at Mt. Hood Community College. Lee performed in New York City for five years in the early 80s before returning to his roots in Portland. He has worked with such people as Don Cherry, Bobby Hutcherson, Richie Cole, Frank Foster, Bill Frizzell, Leroy Vinnegar, Bob Moses, Gladys Knight & the Pips, and the Temptations. Lee leads an all-star group at the Portland Jazz Festival in a tribute to Jim Pepper, the late saxophonist with whom Lee formerly played.

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With Darrell Grant last year, vibraphonist Locke was a Portland Jazz Festival favorite. Locke returns with his groundbreaking group 4 Walls of Freedom, featuring Gary Novak, Ed Howard and Tommy Smith. Locke considers 4 Walls of Freedom to be the fruition of his musical journey thus far. He feels extremely fortunate to have some of the greatest musicians in the world as his band mates. The Observer (London) stated, "For unremitting brilliance it would be difficult to match this quartet. Everyone is at the top of his game." Locke is regarded by many to be the most gifted vibraphonist of his generation. In addition to his strengths as an instrumentalist, his stature as a band leader, composer and conceptualist, have expanded with every successive release and performance.

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Barbara lived in New York and Los Angeles for 12 years, studying theatre arts and music, gaining performance experience and achieving national exposure in network TV series, daytime soaps, sitcoms, films, commercials, print, as well as theatre. Returning to Portland, she continued singing and acting. She performed for five years with Pepe & the Bottle Blondes, appearing before enthusiastic crowds in venues such as Oregon Symphony Pops, the Bite, the Taste of Beaverton, Museum After Hours, the Crystal Ballroom, and many more. She has sung for commercials as well as many other voiceovers for local TV. Her first self-titled solo album has garnered praise for her voice and selection of smart jazz, pop and bossa material. In the two years since starting her own band, she has performed in many jazz rooms, including The Heathman Hotel, Bacchus Restaurant, Savannah's, McCall's Waterfront Cafe, and Wilf's Restaurant.

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Memory is a renowned trumpet player, and has a degree in Composition and Conducting from Marylhurst University. He enjoys conducting and performing both classical and jazz music, and says "Music is my life." He teams with other excellent local musicians to further music education. He is currently the director of the Beaverton Arts & Communication Magnet Academy's award-winning jazz band. He inspires students to live a healthy life, to expand their music horizons, and to "make it swing." Memory is also a popular bandleader in his own right, leading a high-powered Super Band.

This Seattle native has been hailed as “one of the finest jazz singers we have to boast about these days,” by John Clayton. She has become a Northwest favorite and is quickly becoming recognized as a unique voice in jazz by those outside our rainy confines. Her rapport with audiences only magnifies a strong voice that has elements of Ella, Sarah, Billie and Carmen. Her two recordings have received raves, and Jazz Times called her live CD with guitarist Mimi Fox, “as cozy as a fireside brandy on a rainy Northwest night.”

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Concert rock violinist Aaron Meyer's musical diversity is evident in that he has performed for world leaders and dignitaries as well as held solo appearances with major U.S. orchestras and ballet companies. He debuted with the Philadelphia Symphony at age 11 and has gone on to perform internationally in concert halls around the world, at major sporting events such as the NBA Western Conference Finals and at a special appearance at the United Nations as well as the 1999 World Peace Conference, and with groups as diverse as Pink Martini and rock band Everclear.

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Mitchell is one of Portland’s most in-demand keyboardists. Whether it’s on piano, electric piano, or B-3 organ, he has the diversity and technical ability to play it. Says Mitchell, “Jazz, in its true tradition of forward thinking and change, is played with a commitment to beauty and communication. If you play something and make it beautiful enough, make it lyrical enough, try to make it a bridge so that somebody wants to hear it even if it is a little different, they still want to hear it because it's so beautiful they are drawn to it, that's my goal.” Mitchell has some impressive credits. He has been Diana Ross' pianist and keyboardist on national and international tours since 1980. He has performed additionally with such artists as Sonny Stitt, Philly Joe Jones, Richie Cole, Leroy Vinnegar, Eddie Harris, Kirk Whalum, Kai Winding, and Jon Hendricks.

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Moore’s performing career began at age 14 with the Young Oregonians in Portland, Oregon where he met and played with American Indian saxophonist, Jim Pepper. He graduated with a degree in History and Literature from the University of Oregon where he also studied the cello. Moore has worked with many great jazz artists including Paul Bley, Bill Evans, Zoot Sims, Michael Brecker, Hollis Taylor, Gary Burton and Elvin Jones, to name just a few. Moore co-founded the group Oregon in 1970 with Ralph Towner, Paul McCandless and Collin Walcott. In 1999, he completed work on the group’s 23rd album called, “Oregon in Moscow.” The popular group has toured all over the world. Moore is also a respected educator and continues to teach out of his Portland studio.

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Muro was born in Lima, Peru. At the age of ten, he began teaching
himself to play the guitar. He was granted a scholarship to study with Maestro Jose Pepe Torres at his famous Guitar Academy. Muro studied with the great musicians Octavio Ticona and Carlos Hayre while earning his law degree, and for nine years he juggled the two careers and built a successful law practice in South America. He moved to the United States to broaden his guitar skills in 1989. While on tour in Europe, Mr. Muro played for Pope John Paul II at a Vatican "Special Audience" in Rome. Mr. Muro is not only an accomplished soloist, but is also an arranger, composer, record producer and bandleader His style ranges from South American folk songs, to Latin jazz; traditional jazz and blues.

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One of Portland’s most engaging singers, Nanette brings a smile to the face of all she sings to. Her powerful voice and energetic stage presence have made her a favorite around town. Nanette has appeared as guest soloist in concert throughout the United States and Canada, on both commercial and public television. She has performed at many of Oregon’s musical events. Shirley was honored by the Portland Rose Festival Grand Floral Parade with her own float, two consecutive years, from which she sang through the entire length of the parade. Shirley was chosen twice as the only jazz vocalist to be represented by the Oregon Arts Commission.

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The 2005 Portland Jazz Festival marks the exciting North American Premiere of this 13-piece steel drum orchestra. Narell is a veteran jazz steel drum player, heavily decorated by the international press. When Narell moved to Paris in 2001, he found a world-classs concentration of great Caribbean steel players, and formed a musical association, now making for one of the most unique and engaging sounds in jazz. Narell has spent the last quarter century exploring the subtleties and complexities of steel pan and grafting them to the jazz idiom. He's one of only a small handful of steel pan players in the world who are playing jazz.

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This outstanding vibraphonist and composer, who plays with the Dave Holland Quintet, was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Rutgers University with both Masters and Bachelors degrees in music and his teaching activities have included a position at Princeton University. As a resident of the New York area he has performed and recorded with many great musicians including Kenny Barron, Bobby Watson, Mulgrew Miller, David Fathead Newman, Johnny Griffin and Jackie McLean. He has appeared at concerts and festivals worldwide and has made three recordings as the leader of his own group. His recordings as a leader include Live At Acireale (Red Records), Full Nelson (Sunnyside) and Communications (Criss Cross). Recordings with others include Mulgrew Miller, David "Fathead" Newman, Kenny Barron, Jackie McLean and Johnny Griffin.

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The jazz piano artistry of Tony Pacini has been enthusiastically enjoyed by nightclub and festival audiences throughout the West coast as well as in his hometown of Portland. A piano student since the age of 5 Tony continued his music education at Mt. Hood Community College on a full music scholarship. In 1990 jazz critic Leonard Feather awarded Tony a full scholarship to the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, Mass. Upon returning to Portland Tony immersed himself in the jazz scene performing with, most notably: Leroy Vinnegar, Bud Shank, Harry Allen, Ritchie Cole, Chuck Israels, Dan Faehnle, Claudio Roditi, Hadley Calliman, Ron Steen, Nancy King and Rebecca Kilgore. Pacini currently performs as both a solo artist and with the red-hot Mel Brown Quartet.

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Since moving to the Portland area he continues to play and record with a wide variety of musical groups, covering many styles. Jazz has always been his primary focus. Parente has also studied and played with pianist/composer Gordon Lee of the Mel Brown Quintet, Darren Clendenin, Saxophonist/Arranger Bob Newman and Bassist/Violinist Rob Thomas. Eddie frequently travels to Russia, where he has performed in Krasnoyarsk (Siberia), and most recently, St. Petersburg and Moscow, performing his original music and collaborating with Saxophonist Oleg Kireyev and Guitarist Alexander Vinitsky. He has has toured many cities in Western Russia and plays in philharmonic Halls in Beliki-Novgorod, Kazan, Ufa, and Samara.

After thrilling audiences last year as a sideman to Wayne Shorter, he gets a chance to show a more intimate side of his musical persona. Patitucci has worked with numerous musicians, and is a respected solo artist as well, but he is known for his many years in Chick Corea’s groundbreaking Elektric and Akoustic bands.

Performing as a duo with Adam Rogers, the setting gives virtuoso bassist Patitucci even more room to stretch out musically with his bass at center stage.

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One of the hottest names in piano jazz, Perez created considerable excitement as Wayne Shorter’s pianist in his invigorating quartet. His style is dense, innovative and diverse, occasionally infused with a Latin flair and a classical sensibility. He is flashy without being ostentatious. The Panamanian-born artist is adventurous, exploring the keyboard with heartfelt honesty and an intensive knowledge of the music and chord structure, able to push the boundaries while retaining a sense of melodic integrity. His show is included with Patitucci’s on Sunday, Feb. 20.

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Porter has quietly become a favorite pianist in Portland. Highly respected by his peers, he is definitely a talent demanding greater recognition. Porter rarely does solo gigs in Portland, opting for backing several vocalists and other musicians, so this is a special treat for local jazz audiences. Porter’s intricate dissections of standards, along with his own smartly written tunes, are innovative and melodic at the same time. He has the ability to take something complex and make it sound simple.

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There are three PYJO bands comprised of outstanding, motivated and dedicated young musicians ages 11-20 from all over the Portland - metro area. These groups were created by Ben and Michelle Medler.

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Potter, who plays with the Dave Holland Quintet, was born in Chicago in 1971. He grew up in Columbia, South Carolina, and began playing saxophone at the age of 10 as a result of music the he had heard from his parents record collection. In 1989 he moved to New York City and while attending both The New School and Manhatten School of Music, he joined trumpeter Red Rodney's quintet. He played with him until 1993, and this was followed by a brief period with the group "Steely Dan". Since then he has been involved in a wide range of projects including the Mingus Big Band and Paul Motian's "Electric Be-Bop Band". In addition to recording 6 CDs as a leader, he has played in "Trio 2000" with Paul Motian and Steve Swallow, and in groups led by musiciians such as Jim Hall, Billy Hart, Dave Douglas, Al Foster, John Patitucci, Mike Manieri and others.

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The 3-Time Grammy Award-Winning Jazz Vocalist will headline Sunday, creating an elegant excuse to stay out late, with the President’s Day holiday on Monday. With her jaw-dropping four octave range, elegant voice, and innate sense of swing, she is one of the top vocalists working today. She got her start with Clark Terry, and went on to sing with Eddie Henderson, Victor Feldman, and Steps Ahead before becoming a highly respected solo artist. Joe Williams said it best when he said; “I think that Dianne’s the legitimate extension of all of the good things that have gone on before, from Ethel Waters to Ella Fitzgerald, and Sarah Vaughn to Carmen McRae…”

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Rogers has been called a traditionalist. His guitar work is sophisticated and modern, with a free-flowing complexity that should blend with Patitucci’s power nicely. Rogers has great versatility, having played and recorded with artists as diverse as Michael Brecker and Terri Lyne Carrington to Lizz Wright and Norah Jones.

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A stellar quartet, Ronne, the pianist, is a great interrupter of the American songbook. She's made two albums. She regularly four-day-a-week gig in the Benson Lobby. Her sax player, Lee Wuthenow, sounds like Stan Getz reborn, one of the best tenor saxmen in the West. Neil Masson is her drummer and her bass player tends to alternate among several players in town. Her regular bass player is currently touring with Diane Schuur.

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Schneiderman hit it big locally, performing with the popular group Body & Soul. In 1999, Schneiderman began her solo career by winning a slot on the Lilith Fair. Since then, the Portland native has released two critically well-received albums. Her chameleon-like voice has drawn comparisons to Sheryl Crow and Patti Griffin. Her sound intermingles jazz, soul pop and classical into a cohesive, intricate songwriting style.

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Born in Norfolk, Virginia, Nate's true breakthrough came when he heard the legendary Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers Album of The Year at the age of sixteen. After graduating high school in 1992, Nate decided to pursue his musical studies at James Madison University. In his third year, Nate's small group was chosen to play at the International Associiation of Jazz Educators conference in Atlanta, Georgia. It was there that he met the legendary jazz singer Betty Carter and was invited to be a part of her esteemed Jazz Ahead program which has produced a seminal who's who of jazz alumni that includes among others: Cyrus Chestnut, Jason Moran, Gregory Hutchinson, Andre Hayward and Jacky Terrason. Later that year, at the age of 20, Nate was on stage with Betty at the Blue Note club in New YorkCity. He was also featured with Carter on BET"s "Jazz Central" and CBS "Sunday Morning".

After college, Nate was offered a scholarship to pursue graduate studies as a part of Virginia Commonwealth University's "Carpenter Fellowship" program. It was there that he met legendary jazz bassist and composer Dave Holland. Over the next few years he occasionally performed with Dave, finally joining his quintet in September of 2003. In addition to being a fine drummer, Nate is an accomplished composer, songwriter and producer. He has composed scores for several broadcast documentaries for both "The Discovery Channel" and "The Learning Channel" and has worked with such R&B and smooth jazz artists as Marcus Johnson, Moifah, Jareed Arosmana and Alyson Williams among many others.

Possibly Scotland’s greatest saxophonist, Smith is also a highly respected jazz educator. His technical virtuosity is topped only by his ability to teach the intricacies of jazz music. Smith, who may remind some of the late Bob Berg, will have triple responsibilities during the Portland Jazz Festival, leading his own set at the Jazz Open House on Feb. 17, then playing with Joe Locke’s 4 Walls of Freedom, and in between, doing talks and workshops for jazz students and educators. Truly a talent that deserves to be heard by the entire jazz world.

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2002 and 2003 Grammy Awards nominee Luciana Souza hails from São Paulo, Brazil, where she grew up in a family of musicians. She spent four years on the faculty of the Berklee College of Music, and is a respected singer, composer and performer. Souza has appeared and recorded with renowned jazz musicians and composers of new music, including Danilo Perez, Hermeto Pascoal, Maria Schneider, Kenny Werner, John Patitucci, and Osvaldo Golijov. Souza has been crossing over into classical music, and as a leader, she has recorded five critically acclaimed albums.

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Esperanza Spalding was 15 years old when she entered the world of the working musician at a Portland, Oregon, blues club, armed with a single bass line. "Somehow I got this gig with a blues band. I don't know how. I could play only the blues in F," she says. Every member of the band was a seasoned veteran. Vocalist Sweet Baby James Benton had been a fixture on the Portland jazz scene since the 1950s. The trumpet player used to gig with Ornette Coleman. But they were eager to replace their bassist. Somehow, someone turned them on to Esperanza, who had only been playing the instrument for a couple of months.

After that first performance, one of the musicians pulled her aside and asked her to rehearse with them "so she could actually learn something." It turned into a weekly gig and an invaluable experience that fostered Esperanza's interest in the bass and did wonders for her rhythmic feel. Within a year, Esperanza was gigging as a bassist and/or vocalist with six different groups throughout the Portland area. She ended up at Berklee School of Music, and is now in high demand as both a bassist and vocalist. She’s certainly a young talent to be watched.

Saxophonist Dennis Springer's commanding technique and eloquent style has earned him the recognition and respect of the like of Brandford Marsalis and Jeff Lorber. His love of traditional Jazz combines with his ability to display versatility in his performance history from Acoustic Jazz and Funk, to Neo-Folk and Blues.

The Andre St. James/Roger Woods Nonet is a powerhouse ensemble, led by bass titan André St. James and baritone saxophonist Roger Woods, The group burns through tightly wound arrangements from the jazz lexicon. Their combustion and forward momentum is a sheer delight and recalls the take-no-prisoners aesthetic of bebop in its bomb-dropping heyday.

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These three players have taken their roots from various places – jazz, swing, classical, avant-garde, and notably, classic and modern rock – fusing the seemingly disparate entities together to come up with a sound that is unique and pushes the normal boundaries of jazz. Considering their fan base is comprised of those in their 20s, it’s easy to see why they’ve been called the future of jazz. Reid Anderson (bass), Ethan Iverson (piano), and David King (drums), have a unique crossover appeal, having toured with jazz acts and rock acts, like the Pixies, a band The Bad Plus covered on its recent album, “Give.”

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"Sweet Baby" James Benton - Vocals: "Sweet Baby" started his career singing with such west coast vocal jazz groups as The Audios and The Del-Tones. Mr. Benton has been a prominent fixture in Portland since running "The Backyard", an after-hours club that was prominent during the Williams Avenue Heyday of the 50's and 60's.
Bobby Bradford, on trumpet, for the last 40+ years, Bobby has been considered one of Portland's most important musical influences. Mr. Bradford spent his early years playing with such acts as Illinois Jacquet, Charlie Barnett, Jabbo Smith, Ray Charles and Quincy Jones. Cleve Williams on trombone& vocals and a first cousin of Bobby Bradford's, Cleve has been an important player on the Portland scene for more than 40 years. Mr. Williams' resumé includes performances with Billie Holiday, Dinah Washington, Fats Domino, and Ernestine Anderson, as well as local luminaries such as Roscoe Weathers and Warren Bracken. Bob Hernandez on saxophone, has spent his entire life as a professional musician, 35 years in Las Vegas with stints in New York, New Orleans, Monterey and Los Angeles; he has resided in Portland since 1986. Mr. Hernandez has performed with such acts as Billy Eckstine, Ella Fitzgerald, Lionel Hampton, Xavier Cougat, Jack Constanzo and Louis Prima. Bob celebrated his 80th birthday in April of 2003. Kurt Deutscher, on drums, graduated from Portland's Jefferson High School where he studied with Sony King and Dee Wiggins. He is a former member of the United States Marine Corps Band and Voting Member of the NARAS (the Grammy's). Mr. Deutscher is best known in Portland for his 12 years of recording and performing with Tall Jazz. At age 40, Kurt holds the distinction of being the youngest member of the Original Cats. Kurt plays drums by Allegra Drum Crafters.

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With a 30-year professional history that spans the globe, percussionist Bobby Torres' records of performing, recording, teaching, filming, touring and community service rival most in the music industry today. As the eye scans these lists, plenty of notable names pop out: Dr. John, Tom Grant, Jackson Browne, Arlo Guthrie, Kenny Rogers, Joe Cocker, Tom Jones, Etta James… the names go on and on. Torres is a record producer, songwriter, percussion instructor, session musician and bandleader based in Portland, Oregon.

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Triclops began when the three members decided to put together an organ trio for a local weekly gig. The band quickly got to a level most young groups only dream of, though all three musicians had already played with great players like B.B. King, James Carter and Earl King. Music flows naturally from this trio, and their improvisational approach to funk and jazz has led to them being paired with Karl Denson, Charlie Hunter and Garage Mahal.

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Upper Left Trio – Clay Giberson, Jeff Leonard and Charlie Doggett – plays a unique form of original music that pays homage to the tradition of the jazz piano trio, while looking to the future for inspiration. Incorporating elements both conventional and bold, Upper Left Trio creates a distinctive sound in which the virtuosity of the individual musician serves the song via each player's ability to hear and respond to any and all sonic events.

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The Memphis-raised guitarist has a mass of influences in his solo playing, from Delta blues to gospel and Ornette Coleman-inspired phrasing. He moved to New York out of college and quickly developed a reputation around the city for his inspired playing. He ended up backing such jazz luminaries as Wynton Marsalis and Cassandra Wilson. His deep knowledge of musical styles and technical know-how of his instrument, as well as a fine voice, have made Wamble a solid recording artist for Marsalis Music.

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Trumpeter Washington leads a powerhouse band that blends funk, jazz and R&B. With Jesse Malloy on saxes, Ignacio Arango on bass, and John Staten on drums, this band sets a hardcore backbeat and jams out the funk with a decidedly jazz flair.

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Featuring saxophonist Larry Ochs of ROVA fame, bassist Lisle Ellis and drummer Donald Robinson, What We Live burst on the scene with two recordings in 1996. The self-titled debut on DIW featured the trio's unique group sound while What We Live Fo(u)r on Black Saint gave the trio a chance to showcase their talents with six different guest artists. Since that time, What We Live has produced magnificent recordings as a trio and as a quintet with trumpeters Dave Douglas and Wadada Leo Smith.

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Whyte is the "Neon Blonde of Blues!!" Ellen sings and plays rhythm guitar, and accordion. An accomplished musician, Ellen has tremendous stage presence, with vocals that range from soft and cool, to blasts of furnace tempered blues. Ellen is gaining national attention too. While visiting New York, she performed at the world famous Cotton Club in Harlem!

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Tenor saxophonist Wuthenow has been a fixture in the Portland jazz scene for years. His mellow, melodic sound has graced the Benson Hotel Lobby with the Jean Ronne group and others to the delight of local jazz fans and impressed travelers. He is truly one of the city’s finest saxophonists.