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PDX Jazz @ The Mission Theater Begins Spring Season Featuring The Bridge Quartet “Crossing into the Monkasphere,” A Tribute to Thelonious Monk Thursday, April 19 @ 7:30pm
PDX Jazz @ The Mission Theater Begins Spring Season
Featuring The Bridge Quartet
“Crossing into the Monkasphere,” A Tribute to Thelonious Monk
Thursday, April 19 @ 7:30pm
PDX Jazz, the presenting organization of the Portland Jazz Festival in partnership with The Mission Theater, KMHD Radio, and the Crystal Hotel, announces a performance by The Bridge Quartet on April 19th @ 7:30pm. This exclusive one-time only performance by the quartet performing the music of Thelonious Monk, will feature pianist Darrell Grant, bassist Tom Wakeling, drummer Alan Jones, and special guest saxophonist Devin Phillips. The prolific Northwest-based quartet will perform a show entitled, “Crossing into the Monkasphere,” paying tribute to the innovative pianist Thelonious Monk.
Alan Jones, the group’s leader, is a prolific drummer in the Northwest who has toured internationally and plays regularly with bassist David Friesen. States Jones, “We have always referenced Monk’s music live in our quartet performances, but this will be the first time we’re presenting an entire concert of his music. We’re going to do a wide cross section of compositions spanning Monk’s repertoire including: “Trinkle Tinkle,” “Bemsha Swing,” “Thelonious,” “Skippy,” “Humph,” “Rhythm-a-ning,” “Evidence,” and “Boo Boo’s Birthday,” among other classics.”
The quartet is rounded out by bassist Tom Wakeling, a member of Jones’ sextet and also another experienced musician and educator who has his own quartet with Canadian trumpeter Brad Turner. Darrell Grant is one of the most respected modern pianists who has released six albums as a band leader and is currently the Assistant Professor of Music Jazz Studies at Portland State University. Devin Phillips, according to Jones, “is an honored addition when we play Portland.” Phillips will be performing in place of Canadian resident Phil Dwyer, the band’s original saxophonist who, due to Homeland Security immigration issues, is not able to perform in the U.S. at this time. Phillips has performed, toured, and recorded with everyone from Wynton Marsalis and Eddie Palmieri to The Headhunters and Lenny Kravitz. He has also performed on the Portland Jazz Festival with Branford Marsalis and Pharoah Sanders.
Additionally, PDX Jazz @ The Mission Theater will host gifted Netherlands-based pianist Amina Figarova and her sextet in a program titled “Amsterdam After Dark” on May 17. The locally based and nationally renowned bassists David Friesen & Glen Moore will perform on June 21 with a show entitled “Bass on Top”. The 2012 series will conclude on July 19 featuring The Devin Phillips Quartet with special guest vocalist Richard Arnold – “Celebrating John Coltrane – A Night of Ballads and Blues.” Doors open at 6:30pm, shows at 7:30pm for all events.
“The level of musicianship among these four stalwarts is obvious. What’s more impressive, however, is the sensitive, open-ended camaraderie within the band that elevates the music to an insightful level of jazz expression.” - John Barron, All About Jazz
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The Bridge Quartet “A Face Like Yours”
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PDX Jazz @ The Mission Theater
The Bridge Quartet
“Crossing into the Monkasphere,” A Tribute to Thelonius Monk
Thursday, April 19 @ 7:30pm
The Bridge Quartet:
Alan Jones – drums
Darrell Grant – acoustic piano
Tom Wakeling – bass
Devin Phillips – saxophones
Ticketing Info:
Tickets for shows ticketed by Cascade Tickets may be purchased at the
Crystal box office or other McMenamins outlet
(Bagdad Theater, Edgefield, East 19th St. Café in Eugene)
At these locations the convenience charge is only $1.
Or you can order by phone at 1-800-514-ETIX,
or by clicking the “Buy Tickets“ link located at the event
listing on the McMenamins schedules.
Tickets are $15 advance/day of show.
$10 Student Tickets Available with ID (General Admission, First Set Only)
* Night of show only, based on availability
Trivia Question for $2 Discount at the door: What is Thelonious Monk’s middle name?
** reserved seating is available for PDX members
The Mission Theater is located at
1624 N.W. Glisan, Portland, OR
(503) 223-4527
Located within walking distance of the Mission Theater,
McMenamins Crystal Hotel & Ballroom is ideal for concert-goers
For more info about McMenamins Hotel & Ballroom, visit: www.McMenamins.com
For more information, contact
Maureen McFadden @ [email protected]
Charlie Hunter-Festival Headliner Opens the “PDX Afrobeat Breakdown” Featuring Scott Pemberton Trio With Special Surprise guest, Ben Darwish – COMMOTION and Jujuba @ Crystal Ballroom, Saturday, February 25 @ 9:30pm
Festival Headliner Charlie Hunter To Open For The
“PDX Afrobeat Breakdown”
Featuring Scott Pemberton Trio With Special Surprise guest,
Ben Darwish – COMMOTION and Jujuba @ Crystal Ballroom,
Saturday, February 25 @ 9:30pm
PDX Jazz and the 2012 US Bank Portland Jazz Festival Presented by Alaska Airlines announce Charlie Hunter and the “PDX Afrobeat Breakdown” at the Crystal Ballroom on Saturday, February 25th at 9:30pm. The guitar phenom’s Solo Jam opens the night followed by performances from Portland artists Scott Pemberton with a surprise special guest, Ben Darwish’s COMMOTION, and Jujuba. The program will explore and “breakdown” the historical Afrobeat discipline as a pivotal root in the modern funk and jam band experience which combines the improvisational character of jazz with the raunchiness of funk and flavor mixture of African tradition (BBC).
States Don Lucoff, PDX Jazz Managing Director, “This marathon program is unprecedented in the festival’s history, whereby three local bands are sharing the stage with a headline artist. What better showplace than the Crystal Ballroom to present Hunter and three of Portland’s most funky and groove oriented bands than the storied venue that served as one of the Grateful Dead’s favorite performance spaces outside of The Bay Area.”
Charlie Hunter has established himself as one of the premier modern fusion/jazz-rock artists. Hunter will often find a funk groove and turn it into an amplified, wah-wah pedal induced free jam that competes with saxophones, keyboards and even violins. Since the early 1990s, Hunter has released 17 acclaimed albums featuring his dizzying technical and virtuosic 8-string guitar playing. Hunter has collaborated with preeminent names such as Christian McBride, Michael Franti, Norah Jones, Kurt Elling, Mos Def and even took lessons from master guitarist Joe Satriani.
“Though rhythm and blues always has been Hunter’s bread and butter, his earthy sensibility often leads people to overlook his resourcefulness as an improviser. Hunter almost serves as a bridge between the avant-garde and jazz’s populist edge.” – The Los Angeles Times
Charlie Hunter: “How Ya Gonna Leave ‘Em Down On The Farm – Nederland Winterfest 2010”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mPiPzgsCZ0
Photo Credit: Courtesy of the Artist
Scott Pemberton is among Portland’s most renowned modern guitarists. His entertaining and eclectic shows have earned him a strong reputation in the Pacific Northwest music scene. The Portland-native’s playing has drawn comparisons to a diverse range of guitarists like Jimi Hendrix, Dick Dale, and Grant Green.
“Pemberton has translated a salt-of-the-earth approach to spreading his music into some of the most infectiously positive music resonating throughout Rip City.” - Oregon Music News
Scott Pemberton Superband: “Let’s Do It”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eD9-HqGWUEc
Photo Credit: Cortney Erskine
Portland-based pianist/composer Ben Darwish and COMMOTION are a funky ten-piece group designed for a live experience. They are known for their rhythmic danceability and offbeat conceptual shows such as the Afrobeat Tribute to Michael Jackson.
“Anyone impressed by skilled musicians holding down a groove and letting the horns do the talking would be hard pressed to find a better live dance party.” - Willamette Week
Ben Darwish and COMMOTION: “Afrobeat Tribute to Michael Jackson”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qejHOIidsTc
Photo Credit: Stephen Shefrin
Jujuba is a Portland-based eleven-piece afrobeat ensemble that mixes funk and Nigerian juju with a driving rhythm and horn section. The band features drummer and Nigeria-native Nojeem Lasisi, who has settled in Portland and found local musicians passionate about Nigerian music to round out the band. Lasisi played with King Sunny Ade, who is widely considered the premier juju musician.
“The heat and flavor was all in the groove.” - Marty Hughley, The Oregonian
Jujuba: “Jujuba at the Goodfoot – 9-27-08 – #2”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKLf9UT3ij8&feature=related
Ticketing Info:
Portland Jazz Festival Box Office
Hours of Operation: 2-5:30 pm, Monday-Friday
Order by Phone: (503) 228-5299
In Person: 133 SW 2nd Avenue, Ste 420 Portland, OR 97204
Email: [email protected]
Crystal Ballroom Box Office
Walk Up: 1332 W Burnside 11:30 am – 6 pm, Daily
By Phone: 855-CAS-TIXX
Tickets range from $25-$45
Ticket Package:
Tickets to 3 shows at the Crystal Ballroom
(Bill Frisell, Vijay Iyer, Charlie Hunter), general admission, $99
Package is available exclusively through the Portland Jazz Festival box office
Anyone can purchase Gold Circle tickets (best seats) for $45
or reserved seating for $40
For further information contact
Don Lucoff @ [email protected]
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Portland Jazz Festival 2010 Performance
Universal Expanding Quintet performing Wayne Shorter’s “One by One”.
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