Portland Artists Bios

February 20 | 7:00 pm | Venue TBA
February 25 | 11:59 pm | Mission Theater & Pub
February 25 | 9:30 pm | The Art Bar
February 25 | 9:00 pm | Hotel Fifty
February 25 | 9:00 pm | Venue TBA

In Portland’s historic Pearl District, railroad tracks, industries and warehouses have given way to trendy boutiques, art galleries and much more, including a jazz scene undergoing a renaissance.  The Pearl is reminiscent of New York’s Soho or Old City, Philadelphia, with echoes of Greenwich Village, The French Quarter, Georgetown in D.C., Kansas City and the 18^th & Vine district; neighborhoods around the U.S. that have at one time or another supported a lively jazz scene.

Since 1996, Jimmy Mak’s has anchored the district’s jazz scene and in 2006 moved to its current address on NW 10^th Ave.   Owner/operator Jimmy Mak feels “very fortunate [to] serve as the continuation of a great jazz tradition and maintain a high level of interest in the community.”

On February 20, in a special President’s Day celebration, The Portland Jazz Festival @ Jimmy Mak’s will present Charles Mingus alum Charles McPherson.  This event is one of the festival’s education outreach programs and will feature the iconic saxophonist working with student bands from AJAM, PYJO and MYSO, and evening sets with the PSU Jazz Group and the Randy Porter Trio in tribute to Charlie Parker and “The Prez” Lester Young.

The Pearl District has seen Touché, Camellia Lounge, and the recently opened Ivories Jazz Lounge and Restaurant program an impressive mix of local artists.  Kelley Shannon, a singer and the club’s booker says “Touché has a long history in the Pearl. Legendary jazz clubs such as Remo’s and Delavan’s used to occupy this space.  Besides excellent jazz, Touché boasts low lights, and candles which allow for a cozy romantic scene.”

“The Camellia Lounge has been presenting jazz for five years in a 40-50 seat intimate setting,” says co-owner Jhanne Jasmine.  “We’ve had positive response from our customers on how personal and close they feel with the music.”  Ivories co-owner Jim Templeton, states “As far as I am aware, we are the only restaurant with both piano bar and live music concerts.  My plans for Ivories are more far-reaching and experimental than most music spots in town.  I hope eventually to feature music six days a week.”

Since 1975, Wilf’s Restaurant in the Amtrak Train Station has been a fixture on the club scene.  “It’s a coup for us that our local artists are highly regarded nationally,” states Wilf’s co-owner Adele Nofield.  “They often perform with the touring artists and in turn the national performers enjoy sitting in with our local artists. ”

The Mission Theater, on NW Glisan in the alphabet blocks and home to the monthly PDX Jazz @ The Mission Theater series, will host the Festival’s popular late-night Jam Sessions Presented by KMHD Radio on February 24 and 25.  Acclaimed pianist Ezra Weiss and his Trio will welcome all local and national artists to sit in and potentially walk the bar!  The Mardi Gras @ The Mission program on Fat Tuesday, February 21 will feature the Bridgetown Sextet with special guests Marilyn Keller and Devin Phillips.

During the Festival, the Pearl District’s Rogue Ale House comes alive with jazz on February 23-25 featuring Dan Balmer, Louis Pain and Reggie Houston respectively.  The focus will be on the groove, funk and swing to pair with your Jazz Guy Ale.

For  a complete schedule.

 

Dan Balmer Trio

The Dan Balmer Trio consists of Balmer on guitar, George Mitchell on organ/piano, and Randy Rollofson on drums. Balmer has long been considered one of the finest guitarists, composers, and educators in the Northwest. In 2009 Dan became one of only five Oregonians to be honored with membership in both The Oregon Music Hall of Fame and the Jazz Society of Oregon Hall of Fame. Dan has appeared on over 80 CDs including eight of his own which have received critical acclaim and international airplay.

Better Homes & Gardens

Better Home & Gardens is a Portland based group featuring saxophonists Reed Wallsmith and Joe Cunningham (a.k.a. Sly Pig), bassist Bob Jones and drummer Tim DuRoche. The members have played in a diverse mix of popular groups like the Decemberists, Blue Cranes, Charlie Hunter, and the Evolutionary Jass Band.  The band plays a unique style of improvised indie jazz songs.

 Brooklyn St. Jazz Quartet

Despite their name, the Brooklyn St. Jazz Quartet resides in Portland with some of its band members playing professionally since the 1960s.  They play a swinging yet mellow brand of jazz featuring tenor saxophonist Chuck Barnard, trumpeter Noah Merritt, guitarist Bob Saunders, bassist Matthew Jones, and drummer Timothy Horst.

Nancy Curtin

Nancy Curtin was raised in a musical family and has been singing all her life. Her interest in jazz began in college, where she studied music and wrote and performed original and jazz compositions. She has always been drawn to a wide variety of world music, and in 2000, she fell in love with the music of Brazil. She has recorded two critically acclaimed CDs, her repertoire focusing mainly on the lush and lyrical music of Bossa Nova.  “Beautiful and refreshingly authentic treatment of Brazilian Jazz.”

Dan Gildea

Dan Gildea is a valuable commodity to the Portland music community, having taught many of Portland’s guitarists at Portland State University as a jazz guitar instructor.  In addition to teaching, Gildea is an exceptional guitarist who has recorded and/or played with Mel Brown, Mary Kadderly, Stephanie Schneiderman, Louis Pain, Dave Fleschner and Randy Rollofson.

Go By Train

Go By Train is a Portland-based trio that plays a fresh brand spacey fusion.  Their airy sound is played by guitarist Dan Balmer, keyboardist Clay Giberson, and drummer Micah Kassell. Self described as a “techno funk fusion acid post modern group,” the group has recorded two albums, Go By Train and Transportation, the latter’s name being an appropriate description the listening experience.

Tom Grant Duo

Portland native Tom Grant is an acclaimed pianist, and singer-songwriter. In 1970, Tom relocated to New York to find himself touring and recording with some of the top names in jazz, including the legendary Tony Williams. When he got back to Portland 10 years later, Tom started his own label and released a series of albums, four of which became Number One albums on Adult Contemporary and Smooth Jazz charts.

 Chance Hayden

Chance Hayden is a versatile guitarist distinguished by a tasteful approach, warm tone and a multi-tongued musical voice that interweaves jazz, soul and Americana. He received awards and scholarships to attend Portland State University’s Jazz Studies program where he was simultaneously fostered into the local music community under the wing of renowned pianist and educator Darrell Grant. Throughout Hayden’s academic studies and since his 2008 graduation, he’s garnered vast recognition as one of Portland’s most promising talents performing alongside local luminaries including Tom Grant, Shelly Rudolph and Bobby Torres. Though his foundation is in jazz, Hayden’s mature adaptability keeps him in demand to a broad spectrum of artists and projects. While off stage his hands are in many pots of which he can be found teaching guitar lessons, presenting live music, scoring charts and producing songs in the studio. Stay tuned for Hayden’s much awaited debut, chalked for a late 2012 release.

Reggie Houston

Hailing from New Orleans, the Portland-based Reggie Houston has been one of the more prolific and enduring vocalists and saxophone players of the last 40 years.  Houston owes much of his influences to the soulful jazz scene of his hometown.  His organic New Orleans Jazz sound has earned him opportunities to work with music giants like Fats Domino, Dr. John, The Neville Brothers, and Peter Gabriel.

Mary Kadderly duo

Mary Kadderly is a household name in the Northwest as a jazz vocalist.  Born and raised in Portland, Kadderly has released several acclaimed albums including I Go Zoom, which was the top-selling CD in the Northwest for five weeks.  Kadderly and her upbeat and sensual vocal style have impressed audiences across the country at numerous festivals and radio play.  The jazz/pop singer is also a faculty member at Portland State University and Portland Community College.

 Rebecca Kilgore/Dave Frishberg

Rebecca Kilgore’s distinct vocal stylings focus on music from the 20’s-50‘s. She holds a steady presence in the world of radio, appearing on NPR’s “Fresh Air” and “A Prairie Home Companion,” and recently being granted her own radio show on KMHD in Portland. In 2010, Rebecca was inducted into the Oregon Music Hall of Fame and has been described as, “one of the best interpreters of the great American songbook.”

Dave Frishberg is an accomplished singer-pianist with a recording career that dates back to the 1960’s.  Frishberg has recorded with Kilgore on several albums including their co-authored album in 2001, The Starlit Hour.  Frishberg was Grammy-nominated for Best Jazz Vocal on all four of his albums throughout the 1980s.

Naomi LaViolette duo

Naomi LaViolette is an up-and-coming singer and pianist set to release her self-titled debut album at the beginning of 2012.  Her soulful music takes influences from jazz, folk, pop, and even incorporates unique interpretations of classical music.  “Pianist-vocalist Naomi LaViolette is a lyrical musician who knows how to string together the perfect run of notes, just enough to show you she’s got chops, on the keys or in her voice, but not so many that she overwhelms the beauty of a melody.”  Rob Cullivan, The Portland Tribune

Justin Morrell trio

Justin Morrell is an accomplished jazz guitarist and composer whose freelance career as a musician has taken him up and down the west coast.  After performing in Los Angeles and Oakland, Morrell moved to Portland where he teaches and performs on a regular basis.  He has released several interesting recordings including The Music of Steely Dan, DuOrange, and Wanted: Dead or Alive at Rocco’s.  Morrell has played with preeminent names such as: Russell Ferrante, Brandon Fields, Dizzy Gillespie, James Ingram, Johnny Mandel, Noe Venable, Bob Mintzer, Peter Erskine, Bob Florence, Kim Richmond, John Williams, Todd Sickafoose, James Carney, John Daversa, Scott Amendola, Laurie Lewis, and the Supremes.

Louis Pain

Louis Pain is a revered Hammond B-3 organ player in the Northwest and is fittingly nicknamed “Portland’s Boss of the B-3.”  His bluesy soul brand of jazz is a staple at jazz clubs around Portland.  Pain collaborates regularly with Mel Brown and Sweet Baby James.  Together, Pain and Sweet Baby James form King Louie and Baby James which has played stunning performances at past Portland Jazz Festivals. “Louis Pain has a lot of soul–he plays from his heart, not his head.  He always plays exactly what the song needs, and that’s an art form.  He’s playing what he feels, not what he thinks will impress.”  — Curtis Salgado.

Kelley Shannon

Kelley Shannon is an exceptional singer and songwriter.  In the words of Tim May, LA Studio Player/Record Producer, “Kelley is like a great tenor player, she is one of the best singers on the scene today.” She has performed with numerous world class artists, most recently Christian McBride. She has been featured on BET for Jazz as a “New Jazz Discovery”.  In April of 2001, and again in 2003, Kelley was selected for her compositions to perform at the Kennedy Center for the Betty Carter Jazz Ahead Series. Currently residing in Portland, she has performed throughout the world, including extended stays in New York and Los Angeles. Her latest album, “Temptation” was reviewed September 6, 2011 by  Oregon Music News which declared ““Temptation” is a solid success.”

John Stowell & Rob Davis

A veteran jazz guitarist, John Stowell continues to tour, record and teach internationally. He has been Artist-In-Residence at schools in five countries and served as assistant director /performer in OPB’s PDX Jazz Summit in 1991. Over the years saxophonist Rob Davis has crafted many influences into a unique sound/style. He has been heard at Northwest festivals and concerts playing with orchestras led by Ray Charles and Gerald Wilson. Their most recent collaborative release is entitled Snow Angels.

Bobby Torres trio

Bobby Torres has been one of the most revered Latin drummers for over forty years.  Having recorded with musicians like Joe Cocker, Arlo Guthrie, Jackson Browne, Mark Almond, Dr. John, Tom Grant, and Ramsey Embick, Torres’ notoriety is global while residing in Portland.  In addition to his exciting Latin inflicted salsa jazz performances, Torres is a major contributor to the Northwest community. Over the years, Torres has performed in dozens of various fundraisers including numerous benefit concerts for the Portland State University Music Department.  Torres still puts on an exciting display of conga skills that he did when he played at Woodstock with Joe Cocker in 1969.

Trio Subtonic

This Portland-based trio evolved from a long-time collaboration between keyboardist Galen Clark and drummer Jesse Brooke. After spending the winter of 2005 abroad studying music, Jesse and Galen returned to Portland and teamed up with bassist Bill Athens. The resulting mix of groove-based improvisation, instrumental funk, and rhythm and blues began to develop as the members continued to write and freelance in projects of various genres in the Pacific Northwest and tour on both coasts.

The trio recorded their first album “The Aqueous” in 2007, following it with the acclaimed “Cave Dweller” in 2009. With the latest release of “I’ll Meet You There Tomorrow” in 2012, it has become apparent that their unique brand of jazz is becoming recognized both for listening and for thumping the floor.

Upper Left Trio

Upper Left Trio is a Portland-based traditional jazz trio made up of pianist Clay Giberson, bassist Jeff Leonard, and drummer Charlie Doggett.  They have released three critically acclaimed albums of dynamic structures of improvisations. Their fourth album is scheduled to be released in early 2012.  “Upper Left Trio can boast being one of the more articulate and thoughtful new trios to emerge in the mainstream in the 21st century.” — All About Jazz.com

Ezra Weiss

Phoenix-born composer/pianist Ezra Weiss has led bands in many of the country’s greatest clubs including Dizzy’s Club Coca-Coca in NYC, the Triple Door in Seattle, and Catalina’s in Los Angeles.  He holds a Bachelors in Jazz Composition from the Oberlin Conservatory and a Masters in Jazz Piano from Queens College.  His recordings include The Five A.M. Strut, Persephone, Get Happy, and The Shirley Horn Suite, all of which have garnered significant praise from press and radio.  Additionally, Ezra has composed two children’s musicals: Alice in Wonderland and Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!  He has won the ASCAP Young Jazz Composer Award three times. He currently lives with his wife and son in Portland, Oregon, where he teaches at Portland State University and Lewis and Clark College.

 

 

Appearances:

Nancy King and Mary Kadderly Winter 2012 Jazz Singing Workshop Performance

February 20 | 7:00 pm | Location:  | Cover Charge May Apply

PDX Jazz Midnight Jam Session hosted by the Ezra Weiss

February 25 | 11:59 pm | Location: Mission Theater & Pub | FREE

PDX Jazz @ The Art Bar: Upper: Upper Left Trio

February 25 | 9:30 pm | Location: The Art Bar  | FREE

PDX Jazz @ Hotel Fifty: Bobby Torres Trio featuring Dan Gaynor & Chris Woitach

February 25 | 9:00 pm | Location: Hotel Fifty | FREE

PDX Jazz @ Rogue Ales: Louis Pain, Micah Kassell & Renato Caranto

February 25 | 9:00 pm | Location:  | FREE