OREGON the Portland Jazzfestival

www.oregonmusicnews.com oregon music The news Jazz the magazine issueFeaturing Ron Carter Freda Payne Vijay Iyer Julian Lage Billy Childs Becca Stevens Bobby Bill Frisell

and the full schedule to Torres40+ Years of the portland Drumming jazz festival

Plus: Talking ‘bout a revolution (Hall) | reviews | Get Out Guide

Volume 1 Issue 3 | February 2015 Contents

The front row

4 Oregon is Jazz Heaven

The Jazz Issue

6 Bobby Torres Ron Carter 8 9 Freda Payne Vijay Iyer 10 headliners: OMN’s guide to the Portland Jazz Festival 12 Julian Lage Billy Childs 15 16 Becca Stevens Bill Frisell 17

The Scene

19 Talking ‘bout a Revolution (Hall) 19 reviews Album Reviews: Pyschomagic, Sleater-Kinney, 21 and The Lowest Pair

Get out!

22 Staff picks for shows to catch around Oregon 21

Cover photo by Anthony Pidgeon / www.AnthonyPidgeon.com 21st Annual SPRING BEER& WINE FLYERS. FEST PROGRAMS. Oregon ADMISSION Convention Center $8.00 One Day Portland Oregon $10 Two Days Free Admission PUBLICATIONS. 1st 500 Friday PROMOTIONAL.

SCAN WITH SMARTPHONE Fri & Sat • April3&4,2015 AND MORE. Noon to 10 pm For more information please visit our website at At Oregon Lithoprint, we’ll help www.springbeerfest.com you ﬁ nd the perfect marriage of color, size, texture, weight, format and binding. We’ll help you publish Spring Beer & Wine Fest, Inc is a registered not-for-profit organization something unique, something that supporting scholarships and charities resonates and something that hits your target spot on, so you can get back to your music.

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Publisher Oregon is Ana Ammann

Editor-in-Chief Jazz heaven Tom D’Antoni Managing Photography By Tom D’Antoni Editor Editior-In-Chief Kevin Tomanka Copy Editor What? Oregon? Jazz? You mean that The mission of Christine Autrand Mitchell music for old folks? The genre that Oregon Music News people keep writing about as dying? (OMN) is to grow Writers Heaven? and sustain Oregon’s James Bash Well, if not heaven, than a place where music community by Ruben Mosqueda Jazz flourishes and grows even among providing an all-genre music platform for Matthew Bernstein the young. We Oregonians love our Holly Johnson passive aggressive contrariness. So when comprehensive online and print music journalism. Cervante Pope I tell you that there is evidence that Inessa Jazz is an increasingly popular genre in OMN develops writers, Alaya Wyndham general and specifically among (even) photographers and digital Christa McIntyre Millennials, I can hear you both scoff and media producers of all Aaron Martin cheer. experience levels – driven Estevan MuÑoz Yes, there are those who have no idea of the vibrancy and forward by a passion for music H. Lime and a commitment to motion of today’s Jazz, who still have an outmoded idea that it is made by Stephen Murray journalistic integrity. old folks who sit still and listen in boring Jazz clubs. Straw man, I know, Stephen Blackman but we’ve all heard these stereotypes. Since its inception in 2009, Thea Prieto We know better. OMN has strived to: Stephanie Salvey From sold-out shows at every Portland Jazz Festival, to the growing Teri Briggs number of international performers brought to town by PDXJazz, • Provide training and Dennise Kowalczyk the astounding growth in the younger demographics at Jazz radio mentorship for new KMHD, the Creative Music Guild who bring international avant-garde writers and Photographers performers here, and the maturing group of performers making what we photojournalists John Rudoff used to call Indie-Jazz when they were in their 20s and now coalesced Jon T. Cruz around the Portland Jazz Composers Ensemble…we’ve got the music. • Provide a vehicle for Jason E Kaplan Portland is full of great musicians and teachers. Thara Memory is the established writers/ Anthony Pidgeon best known example, of course, having hatched Esperanza Spalding and photographers to have Karen Fox many more. Others like Allan Jones and his school, and programs like their work published/ Henry Ammann syndicated PSU’s Music Department, packed with brilliant teachers like Darrell William Riddle Grant and George Colligan, keep producing fine musicians. • Introduce and promote The finest schools country-wide: Juilliard, Berklee, etc., are full of Design/Layout local artists through Oregonians. coverage in OMN Ossie Bladine We have a large population of mature musicians who play world-wide but choose to live here because they love Oregon: Glen Moore, John • Inform community about Production Stowell and David Friesen are only a few. music events Dan Spence So when you attend Portland Jazz Festival events this month, you will be in happy, Jazz-friendly territory. • Impact local youth Advertising Smile, even though it’s February. music programs through Tammy Cook awareness and giving Adriana Ness

Reach us at [email protected] or PO Box 5494, Portland, Oregon 97228 To advertise, email [email protected] Facebook: www.facebook.com/oregonmusicnews Twitter: @oregonmusicnews primary logos lenames for les provided for use on general items – main webpahge, · OMN_BW_simple_headphones letterhead, business card OMN 4 | FebruaryO M2015N OMN · OMN_BW_capsule_headphones oregonmusicnews.com oregonmusicnews.com oregonmusicnews.com · OMN_color_headphones

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Bobby Torres // Jason Kaplan photo t just the right time, when the glow Afrom the holidays has worn off and we know we’ve got at least four more months of the chilly damp, here comes the Portland Jazz Festival. All kinds of Jazz: Bebop, Soul, Latin, Avant- garde, solo concerts, combos, big ensembles, and players from 15- to 87-years-old from all Bobby Torres over the world and our own back yard. OMN is very happy to once again be a media sponsor for PJF. And for the fifth year, we will be presenting and podcasting BY Tom D’Antoni all of the Jazz Conversations (page 14). and Luis Conte You can count on us for the most com- Has it really been 22 years since percus- Forty Years of sionist Bobby Torres started his band? Sure prehensive coverage of PJF. Click on the “Festivals” tab on the OMN web site to has. Twenty-two years with no signs of slowing down. He is Portland’s best known primary logos check out previous years’ coverage. lenames for les provided and most beloved percussionist. It’s not for use on general items – Drumming Together main webpahge, · OMN_BW_simple_headphones letterhead, business card OMN 6 | FebruaryO M2015N OMN · OMN_BW_capsule_headphones oregonmusicnews.com oregonmusicnews.com oregonmusicnews.com · OMN_color_headphones

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· OMN_alternate_color_keyboard OMN OMN OMN · OMN_alternate_color_guitar oregonmusicnews.com oregonmusicnews.com oregonmusicnews.com · OMN_alternate_color_camera · OMN_alternate_color_mic · OMN_alternate_color_ticket · OMN_alternate_color_news OMN OMN OMN oregonmusicnews.com oregonmusicnews.com oregonmusicnews.com news that he was in Joe Cocker’s band at Wood- Shoshana and my daughter grew up together. At stock, or that he was a very busy session player in 17 she was singing with me at Key Largo. L.A., playing on lots of hits with many hit makers — PORTLand Jazz Festival from Jackson Browne to Tom Jones to The Captain & Is it easier or harder to work with your kids? Tennille (he was actually on “Do It To Me One More (Pause) Trick question. It’s both. I always want Time”) to Kenny Rogers and Gladys Knight, among my kids around. So it’s a fulfilling feeling to have many others. Schedule them there when you’re playing... I get choked up That’s part of Torres lore. Details and tickets at www.pdxjazz.com thinking about that stuff. It took me a long time February 17 His children regularly play with him. Daughter to get over that. I take it personally. At the same St. Paul & The Broken Bones (opening Julana and son Carmelo will be on this gig. Drummer time, when they’re there and I hear them... espe- Reinhardt Melz, his other son, will not. cially Reinhardt, Jesus. Just makes it night and day Performance by Sean Rowe) Luis Conte was born in Cuba, ended up in L.A., compared with any other. Carmelo, another freak. 8 p.m. Roseland Theater $18 and has built a long career playing in movies and It’s amazing what they do. I can’t do what they with Madonna, Ray Charles, Phil Collins, Santana, do. Not even close. February 18, 2015 Shakira, Sergio Mendes and many more. Bebel Gilberto (Opening But he’s always played with Torres, ever since they How did you first meet Luis? met as students. A few years ago, Torres told me this Performance by Somi) He met me. He was playing with the Hughes Cor- story of another gig with Conte at Jimmy Mak’s. 7 p.m. Newmark Theater $30-$38 poration. We both went to Los Angeles Community “It was December 20, 2008. I flew Luis in from The personification of Brazil. The music, College together for music. I dropped out but he kept L.A., Carmelo was here from Austin. We rehearsed the language, the voice, the chops, the on going. and it started snowing the day we beauty, the soul. Bookings are made according to were supposed to play. We did availabilities, but there’s no better way to kick off the What was it about you two a drum clinic and hardly anyone festival than with the total inspiration she brings. showed up. We were constantly that made you hit it off? on the phone with J.D. (Stuben- “Picking the He told me that when he first The Eddie Parente Trio berg) from Jimmy Mak’s. ‘Isn’t right people heard me play, he got scared. 7 p.m. Arrivederci $5 looking good, Bobby.’ He isn’t called Skip anymore, at least “By six-thirty we had a hundred and the right That you were a monster… not formally, but he still wails on his cancellations on the reservations. …something like that. We violin, an instrument long neglected I said, ‘We’ll can it. We’ll have music, of would play together, we were in the Jazz realm. He’s always a joy. more people in the band than course it makes hanging out with Carlos Vega… in the audience.’ We’re hanging Lenny Castro… all those guys. Fun February 19, 2015 around at home wondering what me feel good.” times. to do, drinking wine. Carmelo Blueprints Trio played piano, bass, drums, every- What did you really enjoy 6 p.m. Camelia Lounge $5 thing... He starts playing piano, about playing with Luis? Luis says ‘Hey, that’s great! Let’s make up a song with that.’ We Rhumba… improvising… the PSU Vocal Duo: Paul Paresa & Meghan started adding. Cuban way… (demonstrates on the congas). We’ve Wilson “'Bobby Torres/Jimmy Mak, that’s it!’ We started kept in touch all this time. At least once a month we 6:30 p.m. Hotel Monaco free making up stuff. Reinhardt was saying, ‘Please cancel talk to each other. my reservation.’ It was hilarious. You can hear me My Town is Motown: Freda Payne What tunes can we expect? laughing my ass off. Reinhardt and Carmelo were with the Mel Brown Quintet laughing the way I was laughing. It was a great Shoshanna doing “Ain’t No Way.” She also has a 7 p.m. & 9:30 p.m. Jimmy Mak’s night. I’m glad we captured it on tape. song called “Runaway Train” on her new CD which I $20-$25 “Reinhardt is saying, ‘Jimmy, open the door, re-arranged. See Christa McIntyre’s story on her on Jimmy!’ Carmelo’s saying, ‘I got my skis, let’s go!’ page 9 We worked on it till four in the morning. I kept fall- Has she approved? ing asleep. Luis is going to put it on his CD.” Not yet, she’ll probably throw a fit. She always Taylor Eigsti Trio & Joel OMN talked with Bobby Torres at his NE Portland does. Just a slight, slight re-arrangement to make Harrison’s Free Country home: it a little more Latiny. Just took out a couple of Ensemble notes. 7 p.m. First Congregational Church $30, You must be excited about this gig at the Karla is going to do “Take Five” from her new CD. $15 students festival. She got the rights to Brubeck’s lyrics and songs that In two settings, the second with an ensemble. Oh yeah, very excited. were never recorded by Brubeck. So she has a whole There are always unfamiliar names, even to I’ve known Luis for 40 years. I’m bringing up bunch of songs that he’s done. those who are supposed to know. One of the Shoshana Bean who was a lead singer in my band. happy parts of the PJF is taking a chance and I’m bringing back Karla Harris from Atlanta. My And it all revolves around you. discovering a musician like pianist Eigsti whom daughter Julana is singing…my son Carmelo, who Yeah, it does. (laughs) Picking the right people and you may have never heard. That’s what the played with Jason Mraz and who’s with Los Lonely the right music, of courseprimary it makeslogos me feel good. I’m Google is for, too. lenames for les provided Boys now, will be on percussion. looking forward to it. [OMN] for use on general items – main webpahge, · OMN_BW_simple_headphones letterhead, business card 7 | February 2015 OMN OMN OMN · OMN_BW_capsule_headphones oregonmusicnews.com oregonmusicnews.com oregonmusicnews.com · OMN_color_headphones

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February 20, 2015 Ramsey Embick with Michalangela 4 p.m. Hilton Executive Tower @ The Porto Terra Lounge free

No, I don’t know why we don’t see Courtesy Ron Carter more of pianist Ramsey Embick these days. Tough to get gigs what with the loss of several clubs. He can play in any style, including his own. He’s a walking musical thesaurus with great chops and a sense of humor. Ron Carter Mitzi Zilka & Tony Pacini A Benchmark for Professional Musicians 6 p.m. West Café free By Kevin Tomanka posture standing with an even taller instrument, his attention focused to a razor’s edge. With every note Ask someone in the Jazz community about Ron he commands attention, nay, he demands it. PSU Vocal Duo: Paul Paresa & Justin Benfit Carter, and you may hear that he has a reputation Oregon Music News got to talk with Ron Carter 6:30 p.m. Hotel Monaco free for being a bit temperamental when interacting about his music and the trio he will perform with at with certain players or people in the industry. If the PDX Jazz Festival 2015: Anson Wright & Jasnam Daya Singh one wishes to, they can easily find stories from 7 p.m. Aloft Hotel @ Cascades Station free the past that tell of Ron becoming upset with Who’s in the trio you’re bringing to the Port- someone at a session or maybe scolding a news land Jazz Festival? Elling Swings Sinatra w/ Art Abrams reporter for their ignorance. Larry Coryell on guitar, Donald Vega on piano Swing Machine Big Band It boils down to a respect for the process; and and myself. We have a great library and I’m looking 7 p.m. Newmark Theatre $29-$59 when you have worked hard to attain a reputation forward to playing in Portland, I haven’t been there Vocalist Elling has an international following but and a place in this industry, you respect it, and you in a while. band leader Art is a beloved part of the Oregon can’t help but have opinions about those who didn’t Jazz world. You have to like Frank Sinatra for learn or forget to hold that respect. Not even a musi- Instead of a drummer, you’ve chosen two this one, but even Sinatra detractors gotta love cal behemoth like Miles Davis was immune from the instruments from the rhythm section that Art. fundamental rules that govern a true professional like can comp and play solo melodies. Did you Ron Carter. put them in your trio by design, or did you There is another image of Ron out there, as Tom Grant & Toni Lincoln pick these guys and take them whatever their spoken by his peers and music professionals 8 p.m. Riverplace Hotel free instrument? who, above all, defend Ron as the most reliable, It was by design. When Mulgrew Miller passed Frank Catalano: Blowin’ in from Chicago, trustworthy, sensitive player they know, and how For Vonski, Jug, and Eddie he is their number one call on every gig, regardless away, who was the original piano player of the Who? of the challenges. And it is actually this reputation trio, I needed someone to take his slot, and Kenny 8 p.m. North Coast Brewing Co. that causes the other, because this one is much Barron recommend Donald Vega. I’m very happy $15-$20 harder to attain, more difficult to maintain, and with Kenny’s recommendation. Donald is working Being called “John Coltrane energy for can evaporate instantly if the wrong choices are out very well and getting better each time we play a the 21st Century” by Downbeat can be the kiss made. Those juicy stories of past conflicts are re- concert. of death, but this sax player is navigating those ally just reverberations of reputation maintenance. I just came back from Japan with Larry Coryell choppy waters very well. Playing here with our Yet, they are still the ones that filter into the head- in December. We did a tribute tour with Peter friends and neighbors, George Colligan and Dan lines and rumors of the mainstream. Bernstein called “A Tribute to Jim” where we Balmer, plus two of his Chicago compatriots. A It’s easy to tell which Ron is the real one — he’s played songs from the Jim Hall/Ron Carter library good chance to decide for yourself. the one up there on stage, making all the right choic- in tribute to Jim’s passing. So it’s all set to go and primary logos es night after night. Watch him lenames at any gig:for les always provided I’m looking forward to having a chance to play impeccably dressed, punctual, articulate, a towering with these guys again. for use on general items – main webpahge, · OMN_BW_simple_headphones letterhead, business card OMN 8 | FebruaryO M2015N OMN · OMN_BW_capsule_headphones oregonmusicnews.com oregonmusicnews.com oregonmusicnews.com · OMN_color_headphones

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Vijay Iyer Trio 9:30 p.m. Winningstad Theatre $35- $45 See Inessa's article on page 10.

Ezra Weiss Sextet 11 p.m. ArtBar & Bistro free

February 21, 2015 Taylor Eigsti 4:30 p.m. Classic Pianos $15-$20

Kerry Politzer Trio 4:45 p.m. Brasserie Montmart free Another pianist we don’t see nearly often enough. She had a flurry last year around the release of her PJCE album, but not enough. Always a rewarding experience.

Ryan Meagher FredaBy Christa McIntire Payneup and was writing hits for Jackie Wilson. 5 p.m. The Mark He courted Ms. Payne as a singer and she became Spencer Hotel free Freda Payne lives in Encino, California — one in his protege for a while. But her mother was worldly Now a fixture on guitar the diaspora of great musicians from Detroit. Her par- and money-wise and she couldn’t get a fair contract in the PDX Jazz world. ents grew up next door to the Gordy family and later to be signed. Berry went on to form Motown, Tamla He pulls no punches her little sister, Scherrie, would be a Supreme. She and Anna records with his sisters, and Ms. Payne and is a bulldog. Engage with him. has a strong, bright voice that often breaks out in moved to New York. laughter and song. She loves Cole Porter. Mention a New York was a hustling and bustling mid-century Go By Plane feat. Dan Balmer, Clay Giberson & Micah Kassell title, she knows all the lyrics. I count myself blessed modern metropolis in the 60’s. She went to the 7 p.m. Aloft Hotel @ Cascades Station free to have been her private audience. clubs — Village Vanguard, Birdland and the Village She started her career off young in the old Detroit, Gate — to hear Count Basie, Gillespie, Art Blakey a Detroit that no longer exists, except in memories. and Nina Simone. She cut a few records, including Christian McBride Trio & Lou Donaldson She toured the country with Don Large’s Make Way Quartet After the Lights Go Down Low and Much More!!!, for Youth chorus, learning spirituals, Gershwin and 7 p.m. Newmark Theatre $29-$59 which included a new Duke Ellington song. Duke standards. Ms. Payne was often singled out as a soloist One of the world’s greatest Ellington, like Gordy, wanted her to sing, but a good with Carmen Mathis, two of the three African-American primary logos lenames for les provided girls in the group. By that time, Berry Gordy had grown Payne continued on next page Continued on next page for use on general items – main webpahge, · OMN_BW_simple_headphones letterhead, business card 9 | February 2015 OMN OMN OMN · OMN_BW_capsule_headphones oregonmusicnews.com oregonmusicnews.com oregonmusicnews.com · OMN_color_headphones

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Ben Darwish & Tim Willcox 8 p.m. The Benson @ The Palm Court free Willcox is always a very solid, intellectual musician (despite his ever-present sense of humor). The Jazz Reshaped interesting thing here is the return of VijayBy Inessa Iyer drug or something," Vijay laughs, “I’ve been doing Ben Darwish to Jazz. He’s been exploring other forms for a couple of years and it drugs since I was three-years-old." should be interesting to hear what he’s It’s what draws us in and ultimately makes us will- got to say. ing travelers on his journey. Vijay Iyer (pronounced Working From the Ground Up VID-jay EYE-yer) offers a brilliant, unexpected, filled Vijay’s career has spanned the sciences, humani- Farnell Newton’s Soul III with surprise, tendern and often aching beauty in his ties and arts. 8 p.m. WineUp On approach and execution. Not just in the music, but When I mention to him that it makes sense to me Williams free in everything he takes on. that he’s so multi-disciplined, he counters by saying, No matter who Farnell In a recent phone conversation I had with Vijay “I don’t feel very disciplined. I guess I like to learn shows up with and no from his home in Harlem, we began with those all- and I like to collaborate, and I like to feel a sense of matter what kind of important baby steps in music. music he’s playing, you growth through discovery and working with other people. So I guess just that basic sensibility has cannot go wrong with this concert. Thing is, he Growth Through Discovery plays with everyone so you don’t know exactly led me down a lot of paths. And I should also say, who or what to expect. This is a good thing. Go Vijay began studying the violin when he was for some reason, people keep on asking me to do and be surprised and delighted. three-years-old. His older sister played the piano, things," he chuckles. so around that time he began playing piano by “I get invited to write articles sometimes, or give a Blue Cranes w/ The Lost Trio ear. “I don’t know if ‘playing it’ was really the talk, or collaborate with people who seem to be out- 8 p.m. Alberta Street Pub $10 word," he told me. “Banging on my sister’s piano side of my area, like write an orchestra piece or string was more like it." quartet. Or collaborate with poets. It’s very organic Ma Fondue Jazz Funk by Nayibe Rojas He doesn’t know what drew him to the piano the way it’s been happening,” he adds. “It’s not like 8 p.m. Arrivederci $5 but what kept Vijay with it was a “combination of there’s any master plan. I work from the ground up. The Bill Charlap Trio Swings Sinatra: “In opportunity and just the intrigue. It felt good to I work with people who are willing to work with me The Wee Small Hours” make sound, and use my body to do it," he recalls. and a lot of it comes from mutual interests and op- primary logos 10 p.m. Winningstad Theatre $35-$45 “There’s something about music lenames that focuses for les providedyou portunities." and relaxes you, and energizes you. Sort of like a Now 43, Vijay has been doing music for four for use on general items – main webpahge, · OMN_BW_simple_headphones letterhead, business card OMN 10 | FebruaryOM 2015N OMN · OMN_BW_capsule_headphones oregonmusicnews.com oregonmusicnews.com oregonmusicnews.com · OMN_color_headphones

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continued FractalSchedule

11 p.m. ArtBar & Bistro free

February 22, 2015 Dan Gaynor, Bill Athens & Michael Raynor 11 a.m. Nel Centro @ Hotel Modera free

Becca Stevens 2 p.m. Classic Pianos $15-$20

Lee Konitz Quartet (featuring Dan Tepfer, Alan Jones & Tom Wakeling) 3 p.m. Winningstad Theatre $25-$45 The name inspires awe. He has accomplished wonders during his long career, playing with Miles Davis, Charles Mingus, Ornette Coleman, Dave Brubeck and dozens of others. And then there is his own singular brilliance. Will be bringing his guitarist Dan Tepfer with him, joined by PDX stars drummer Alan Jones and bassist Tom Wakeling.

Shelly Rudolph Wildbird Project 4:45 p.m. ArtBar & Bistro free

Nicholas Payton Trio & Billy Childs’ Map To The Treasure (Reimagining Laura Nryo feat. special guest Becca Stevens) 7 p.m. Newmark Theatre $29-$49 Payton, the New Orleans trumpeter, returns to Portland with all the fire Jimmy Katz photo and wonder you expect. What you may decades. Music has “never NOT been part of my grown up with a huge variety of music. Partly be- not expect is Billy Childs’ tribute to Laura life," Vijay tells me. “It’s always been connected to cause he had music education in his public school, Nyro. See Christa McIntyre’s story on page 15. everything else. Where it’s always felt natural to kind he learned about “classic forms” of music. And not of integrate things." He is a willing integrator, more just Bach, Beethoven, and Brahms. More impor- February 23, 2015 importantly. tantly, Vijay discovered “Classic American” music, Ralph Bowen Quartet (Feat. Chris Brown, meaning Jazz. Naturally, Vijay also grew up listening George Colligan & Dylan Sundstrom) to Classic Rock and Top 40 Radio as well. Musical Points of Reference 7 p.m. The Old Church $15 Living in the cultural stew of New York City for Vijay Iyer, along with Stephan Crump and Marcus Saxophonist Bowen has been on over the last 15 years, Oakland before that, allowed for a Gilmore, who are part of the widely-acclaimed Vijay 70 albums in thirty years, yet we bet pretty amazing blending to happen. Because Vijay Iyer Trio, point to obvious influences like Duke El- hardly anyone has ever seen him play in is wide open to it, he says, “Most of these areas of lington and Ahmad Jamal. But this group's musical PDX. He’s been with Orrin Evans, Brian music we call ‘genres’ are born out of encounters; language is informed by much more: Jimi Hendrix’s Blade and Horace Silver to name a few. what happens when people are in close quarters." Band of Gypsys, Miles Davis’s rhythm section, to That is the secret sauce for his take on Jazz: a living, Nettwork Trio feat. Charnett Moffett, 70’s music, electronic music and Hip-Hop from its breathing, and evolving thing. very beginnings to the present. Stanley Jordan & Jeff “Tain” Watts 7 p.m. & 9:30 p.m. Jimmy Mak’s Jumping from these mighty influences that range The Trio $20-$25 from the above, to being called one day to col- Bassist Moffett, Guitarist Jordan laborate with Dead Prez, it’s all in the mix. “Oh, I Vijay, Stephan (on bass), and Marcus (on drums) and drummer Watts are long-time guess I’m a Hip-Hop musician,” Vijay laughs when have been together for 11 years. They have other collaborators. Look at this as your time mentioning the Hip-Hop group. bands, other projects, so they can take that breath primary logos to imagine lenames for les provided Vijay tells me everybody in his generation has Iyer continued on page 13 Continued on next page for use on general items – main webpahge, · OMN_BW_simple_headphones letterhead, business card 11 | February 2015 OMN OMN OMN · OMN_BW_capsule_headphones oregonmusicnews.com oregonmusicnews.com oregonmusicnews.com · OMN_color_headphones

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continued yourselfSche in a club in New dYork. Moffettule last played PJF in 2008 with Ornette Coleman. Nuff said.

Noah Bernstein & Andre St. James 10 p.m. Pepe le Moko @ Ace Hotel free

February 24, 2015 Tom Wakeling and Dan Balmer 5 p.m. Marriott Waterfront free

Mark Elf Trio w/ Ed Bennett & Ron Steen 7 p.m. Classic Pianos cover charge may apply

NYC to PDX Jazz Project (under musical direction of Darrell Grant) 7:30 p.m. Jimmy Mak’s $13-$18 Darrell Grant leads a group of musicians who played in New Courtesy Julian Lage York in the period from 1950-1980. He was there with Betty Carter in the 80’s. Details sketchy at deadline. Don’t worry. Can’t miss.

February 25, 2015 Anson Wright & Jasnam Daya Singh Julian Lage 6:30 p.m. Justa Pasta free And now the hot new major guitar voice The Michael Horsfall Trio By Nathan Rizzo Oh, good question! What was it? I remember 7 p.m. Arrivederci $5 my Dad had John Coltrane’s Giant Steps on tape Julian Lage is one of Jazz guitar’s most vibrant and cassette. He also had a VHS of James Taylor and their Marc Cary: For The Love of special talents. The subject of the Oscar-nominated band doing kind of their greatest hits in his barn Abbey — A Tribute to Abbey documentary “Jules at Eight,” Lage, now 27, has been — I forget what the name of that video was. But I Lincoln performing and recording with vibraphone legend Gary remember listening to Coltrane and watching the 7:30 p.m. Classic Pianos $15-$20 Burton since the age of 12, holding a seat once occu- James Taylor thing a lot. And that — god, even Eric This may be the closest we’ll get, pied by the likes of Kurt Rosenwinkel and Pat Metheny. Clapton Unplugged — I would have been about four. spiritually, to Hip Hop. The pianist probably is not Personable and deeply modest despite a near life- I remember when that was on MTV. Those were the going to play any but he’s of the generation that time of ebullient praise, the breadth of Lage’s musical three earliest things I can remember right off the top has never not heard it. A refreshing change and a inspiration is truly remarkable. Drawing equally from of my head. welcome discovery. American Roots music and Spanish guitar, Lage And then Clapton Unplugged was why my Dad can extend the Jazz paradigm to embrace the many started playing guitar, which is why I started playing A Tribute to Michel Legrand feat. Jackie colors of his singular and organic musicality — fash- guitar. So it all kind of had a domino effect around Ryan and 2015 Portland Jazz Master ioning music in his own image while never betraying that time. Wayne Thompson the aesthetic and spirit underlying it. 7:30 p.m. Jimmy Mak’s $20-$25 The Julian Lage Trio will perform at the Lewis and Somewhat paradoxically, I feel like a lot Had some scratching their heads, I know. Singer Clark College Evans Auditorium, at 7:30 p.m. on of people with significant artistic talent Jackie Ryan and musical director Randy Porter will Friday, February 27. Lage’s latest album, World’s Fair, run the risk of becoming prisoners of their no doubt make sense out of it. is slated for release on February 3. gifts. Yet to me, it seems like having such a profound ability has been very empowering What is your first musical memory or recol- and freeing for you in a lot of ways. What primary logos lection — whether it’s a specific lenames forsong, les provided or a was your relationship to your talent when part, or a sound, or even an image? you were growing up? Did you feel a little for use on general items – main webpahge, · OMN_BW_simple_headphones letterhead, business card OMN 12 | FebruaryOM 2015N OMN · OMN_BW_capsule_headphones oregonmusicnews.com oregonmusicnews.com oregonmusicnews.com · OMN_color_headphones

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· OMN_alternate_color_keyboard OMN OMN OMN · OMN_alternate_color_guitar oregonmusicnews.com oregonmusicnews.com oregonmusicnews.com · OMN_alternate_color_camera · OMN_alternate_color_mic · OMN_alternate_color_ticket · OMN_alternate_color_news OMN OMN OMN oregonmusicnews.com oregonmusicnews.com oregonmusicnews.com Iyer Continued from page 11 and come back to the Trio with fresh minds. But as PORTLand Jazz Festival Vijay tells me, “The main ingredient is patience and faith in the process. We have a lot of trust. It’s sort of like a family at holiday. There might be a bit of continued FebruarySche 26, 2015 dule chaos, but you know that eventually you’re having something to eat. Nicole Glover, Lucy Yeghiazaryan & “Trust is almost too loaded a word for what it Jon Lakey is," Vijay continues. “When I bring something new 5 p.m. Marriott Waterfront free for them (Marcus and Stephan), it’s spare. Maybe The saxophonist is coming into eight measures but there are a lot of layers in those her own and deserves a leadership measures. It’s vertical rather than horizontal, musi- spotlight. If you’ve watched her on cally, so you can kind of dig in and examine different the rise, this may be one of her most layers. There’s all this history. But also all this music important linchpins. the basis for breakdowns, breakbeats and break history we share a love for. Stephan is from Memphis dancing. It can be the moments when everything Karla Harris & Mark Simon and brings a blues sense to the Trio. comes to life.” 6 p.m. Riverplace Hotel free "Marcus’s grandfather is Roy Haynes, who played The new album contains all the elements that with Thelonius Monk, so it’s not just imagination — interest the Trio, from Electronica rhythms to PSU Vocal Duo: Paul Paresa & Kanda it’s very direct." music that owes a debt to Southern Indian drum- Mbenz-Ngoma We picked up the Jazz thread again in our conver- ming, to rhythmic frameworks inspired by West 6:30 p.m. Hotel Monaco free sation. “People think of this thing called “Jazz," that African music. Vijay also pays homage to his happened 50 years ago, but there’s all this other mu- own “personal hero of all time," Thelonius Monk David Friesen w/ Circle 3 Trio sic that’s happened since then. It’s important to us by including a lesser-known Monk piece called 6:30 p.m. Noho’s Hawaiian Care on Fremont that it’s all part of the same continuum. And there’s “Work." He says they added some blank spaces in Ccover charge may apply also the whole history of Hip-Hop that kind of spans the track to reflect on what was happening in the the last 30-plus years. And that is all drawing from song but they altered the form only slightly. Chill- What’d I Say, For Brother Ray: that tradition, that history too, and particularly how ing to think Vijay was feeling he was putting his Joe McBride w/ Mel Brown B3 you articulate the rhythm." own hands in the exact position, that Monk put Organ Band his hands on the keys. 7 p.m. & 9:30 p.m. Jimmy Mak’s Break Stuff Vijay Iyer left me with this thought: “My real goal $20-$25 The newest Vijay Iyer Trio album is out Febru- is for the music to propagate. It’s about having an McBride is a keyboardist, a B-3 player ary 10, 2015. As he laid it out, Vijay brings those effect on people, about connecting with audiences. who will bring the spirit of Brother eight measures to the band for the formal ele- That’s what music does. It creates this bond that Ray to an audience hungry for it. ments that will be addressed. Break Stuff is the everyone in the room experiences and there are a lot Find out what he’s about. result of “shoehorning” and repurposing some- of different ways to do that. I have already accom- Blueprints Trio w/ Mike Horsfall thing that wasn’t meant for their format. He says plished MY goal, by getting to bang around on the 7 p.m. Arrivederci $5 the "break" is "a span of time in which to act. It’s piano in front of people." [OMN] Trio Subtonic 7 p.m. Christo’s Pizza free suffocated or objectified by the prodigy label you be able to leave us with a special memory, or anything like that? or a story, or a poignant moment from your PJCE Records Showcase: The Sound of Our City Oh, interesting. That’s a great question. No, I career if one comes to mind? 7 p.m. The Old Church $15, $5 really didn’t, which is kind of crazy because I know Boy, well — you know, a lot comes to mind. It’s students a lot of people who have, and I also see how I could hard to say one thing. So I think the most relevant A full night of three separate have been. I think mainly — I think it’s my folks. thing I’ll just say is, last night. Just getting to do programs: first the Metropolitan They were just really, you know — I had opportuni- what we’re doing — what Nels [Cline] and I are Youth Symphony Jazz I group ties to record or to be in public when I was very doing out on the road right now is really, really under the direction of David young, but I basically avoided it until I was about 21, special. And we go into these places where I don’t Valdez, then the PJCE Records which was my first record. know if people totally know what they’re in for — All-Stars, and then The Portland Jazz My parents, they thought, “Well, it’s one thing to if they think it’s going to be a loud show, a Rock Composers Ensemble itself featuring show, a Jazz show, a trad show. You don’t know, have a musical capacity. But to have an emotional the saxophone master John Gross. you know? capacity that’s commensurate — you know, that The cream of Portland players and always an And it’s just such a gift to go out there like last can support being in the public eye.” They were very inspiration. supportive and very casual, but they were also like, night and play for some of these people who are “Look, no one’s going to benefit if you’re put in an along for the ride, and they are just so giving with Chance Hayden, Michael Raynor & Dave uncomfortable situation.” their appreciation. I couldn’t ask for more and I feel Captein really lucky — and that was last night. And I’m primary logos 9 p.m. Nel Centro @ Hotel Modera free lenames for les provided That’s really wise. Before we wrap up, would grateful for that. [OMN] for use on general items – main webpahge, · OMN_BW_simple_headphones letterhead, business card 13 | February 2015 OMN OMN OMN · OMN_BW_capsule_headphones oregonmusicnews.com oregonmusicnews.com oregonmusicnews.com · OMN_color_headphones

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VALENTINE’S DAY DINNER & DANCE Saturday, February 14th, 2015, 6-10PM Hauer of the Dauen 38TH ANNUAL NEWPORT Faith, Hope & Charity Vineyards at Faith, Hope & Charity Vineyards February 19–22 We are at the SEAFOOD & WINE FESTIVAL Enjoy a wine-paired dinner by our guest chef VALENTINE’S DAY and live music for some dancing! Adult EAstEr Egg Hunt Call 541.526.5075 or visit Saturday, April 4, 2015 www.faithhopeandcharityevents.com/valentine Call 971.237.2058 for Reservations 2015 for more information and to purchase tickets! 70450 NW LOWER VALLEY DRIVE Always Open Weekends Noon to 5 primary logos TERREBONNE, OREGON 97760 lenames for les provided 16425 SE Webfoot Rd, Dayton, OR 97114 503.868.7359 Follow us for monthly specials for use on general items – main webpahge, · OMN_BW_simple_headphones letterhead, business card OMN 14 | FebruaryOM 2015N OMN · OMN_BW_capsule_headphones oregonmusicnews.com oregonmusicnews.com oregonmusicnews.com · OMN_color_headphones

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continued 8 Sp.m. cheMichelle’s Piano &d Organule Co. $12, $8 students

Rae Gordon Quartet 8 p.m. Arrivederci $5

Hailey Niswanger & PDX Soul 8 p.m. Jimmy Mak’s $15-$20

February 28, 2015 Tony Pacini Noon Classic Pianos $15-$20

Sheila Jordan & Cameron Brown Duo 3 p.m. The Old Church $20-$25 Vocalist Jordan and bassist Brown have been touring for ten years. Courtesy Billy Childs You get to hear the fruit of that partnership.

Brooks Robertson Plays Laura Nyro 5 p.m. The Mark Spencer Hotel free BillyBy Christa McIntyre Childs70’s she took off. Literally. She made her own music, John Nastos & Matt Tabor played gigs, lived on farms, was a recluse when she 7 p.m. Aquariva Restaurant @ River’s Edge Hotel Grammy Award and Guggenheim grant-winning wanted to be, had a child, loved a woman. Nyro & Spa free Jazz pianist, composer and arranger Billy Childs will grew up in a New York City now long passed, when be performing at the 2015 Portland Jazz Festival. soul searching was the modus operandi: life was David Kim, Cary Miga & Stu Cook That’s a mind and a mouthful to take in, but Childs, what you embraced, confronted and with which you 7 p.m. Hotel Rose free much like his music, is a down to Earth man. made a living. She never consciously chose to do Growing up in Los Angeles, he started learning cross-over music; she just made it. Tahirah Memory & Jarrod how to play the piano at age six. He remembers the Billy Childs remembers hearing that voice and it Lawson sounds coming out of his older sister’s room and made him listen to her and to his own voice. 7 p.m. Westin Portland free was drawn to the many different albums she would Cross permutation is American art, but we only Vocalist Memory, Thara’s daughter, put on. One artist in particular stayed with him embrace it when it appears organic and effortless. plus Lawson, the next big Soul thing throughout his life, Laura Nyro. We don’t like seams, unless the seams are shown (in Europe so far) in an evening of Laura Nyro, herself, was a renegade. She grew up with intentional regard. In the underestimated magic in New York City and was singing with groups on spiritual Soul music. Go find out of the everyday, the modern world hit home. Billy why the world has discovered him. street corners in the 1960’s. She wrote an immense Childs never met Laura Nyro, but he listened to her amount of original songs that took from Rock, Pop, She will shortly be accompanying through portable culture — vinyl, cd, etcetera. him on his tour of Japan and Europe. Jazz, Blues, Broadway and her own imagination. While she sang, played, composed straight from She performed her most well known song, "Wed- He was on the cover of last month’s OMN, the the psyche in a Pop/Rock forum, he took his Jazz Magazine. ding Bell Blues," at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967. training and stretched it, learning from her pursuit of Gerry Goffin, Brill Building song writer, Carol King’s an original song, an original voice, making the cross collaborator and husband at one time, took Nyro Cyrille Aimee (opening performance by Trio reference back from a Jazz influence, to an artist under his wing, wanting to fashion her for his own Subtonic feat. Dan Balmer) simply inspiring and informing another artist. He label. It was during the prime time when the singer- 7:30 p.m. Evans Auditorium @ Lewis and Clark listened and composed: a dialogue. song writer would soon dominate the American music College $20, $15 students Catch me now, this is important. There are lots of scene. Nyro, the iconoclast, self-believer and artist left What is she all about? There are biographies, articles written about who influenced Goffin unexpectedly to sign with another label. Goffin dozens of new singers around. Let’s who, but there’s a solitary life to being an artist. An said he cried for days after she left without notice. find out what she’s bringing. We know internal grind that is relentless: we stop, we look, She had experimented with blue-eyed Soul and primary logos lenames for les provided hinted at a new counter-culture narrative, but in the childs continued on next page Continued on next page for use on general items – main webpahge, · OMN_BW_simple_headphones letterhead, business card 15 | February 2015 OMN OMN OMN · OMN_BW_capsule_headphones oregonmusicnews.com oregonmusicnews.com oregonmusicnews.com · OMN_color_headphones

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Anandi & Jasnam Daya Singh 8 p.m. The Benson @ The Palm Court free

Bleu Phonk 8 p.m. Arrivederci $5

Chris Brown Quartet 8 p.m. WineUp Williams free

March 1, 2015 Ron Carter & Benny Green Trio 3 p.m. Newmark Theatre $29-$59 See Kevin Tomanka’s story on page 8.

Laurence Hobgood 5:30 p.m. Classic Pianos $15-$20 Most often connected with Kurt Elling, hearing him in a solo context should be intriguing.

Lucky Peterson (opening performance by Roseland Hunters) 7 p.m. Aladdin Theater $30-$45 Courtesy Becca Stevans Rare and very special performance by a musician steeped in the Blues, and who can play many instruments and sing with the best of them. This is a fabulous way to close out the festival. Prepare to clap your hands. ABecca New Approach Stevens Displays a Different Side Noah Bernstein & Andre St. James By Scott Cunningham a launching point for not only a new album, but in 10 p.m. Pepe le Moko @ Ace Hotel free how she defines herself as an artist. In front of her One of the great ironies of life is the fact that we upcoming appearance at the Portland Jazz Festival, I For more info visit www.portlandjazzfestival.org. often strive for perfection all the while knowing it is spoke to her from her home in New York City about primary logos not attainable. lenames for les provided her forthcoming album and her blossoming career. For Jazz musician Becca Stevens, this idea provides Titled Perfect Animal and due to be released in for use on general items – main webpahge, · OMN_BW_simple_headphones letterhead, business card OMN 16 | FebruaryOM 2015N OMN · OMN_BW_capsule_headphones oregonmusicnews.com oregonmusicnews.com oregonmusicnews.com · OMN_color_headphones

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April, the album explores the conundrum of perfec- Amos were suddenly thrust into a Jazz trio. tion while also breaking new stylistic ground for her as “Even when I was in “Perfect Animal," the lead track on the album, con- she moves away from earlier work that would be easily tains a haunting plaintiveness in its sound. The song viewed as Contemporary Jazz. my early teens, I gave is full of roominess and air as it explores gaps between In terms of style, the album is intense and raw, reflect- people a demo of my perfection and reality. Unfilled sonic space in the song ing her approach to writing. “Even when I was in my early serves as a metaphor representing the distance between teens, I gave people a demo of my songs, just singing and songs, just singing and idealistic, perfect love and the lyrical refrain of “what- playing guitar, and a couple of people were like, ‘Becca, are ever makes you happy.” you OK?’ I really thought I had given them this really sweet playing guitar, and a In writing and recording the album, Stevens says that compilation of singer-songwriter kind of tunes.” couple of people were she “was dancing with this idea of being obsessed with Authenticity and vulnerability are hallmarks of material perfection even though you know it isn’t real.” packing emotional punch and Stevens wholeheartedly like, ‘Becca, are you Exploring these ideas “is almost like a light-hearted embraces this concept. Singer-songwriter is a much more OK?’ I really thought obsession, an awareness and acceptance that it is apt description of her style than a label like Jazz, as the part of what makes my art what it is. It is part of influences of Joni Mitchell and Tori Amos are clearly I had given them this who I am.” evident in the album. really sweet compila- See her Sunday, February 22, 2pm at Classic Pianos, “(Mitchell) exists outside of the box, so far outside of $15 members, $18 non-members, $20 door. Tickets are the box that she makes the perfect role model for some- tion of singer-songwriter available at pdxjazz.com. Also with Billy Childs and one like me,” she explains. So much so that Stevens’ Taylor Eigsti at the Newmark Theater at 7:30 the same kind of tunes”primary logos lenames for les provided new material is what might be expected if Mitchell and day. [OMN] for use on general items – main webpahge, · OMN_BW_simple_headphones letterhead, business card 17 | February 2015 OMN OMN OMN · OMN_BW_capsule_headphones oregonmusicnews.com oregonmusicnews.com oregonmusicnews.com · OMN_color_headphones

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· OMN_alternate_color_keyboard OMN OMN OMN · OMN_alternate_color_guitar oregonmusicnews.com oregonmusicnews.com oregonmusicnews.com · OMN_alternate_color_camera · OMN_alternate_color_mic · OMN_alternate_color_ticket · OMN_alternate_color_news OMN OMN OMN oregonmusicnews.com oregonmusicnews.com oregonmusicnews.com The scene by Sunny Program | Pacific Crest Jazz Orchestra, led by Q3 Clark Grammy winner, Thara Memory, for being selected as a finalist in the Charles Mingus festival and competition taking place February 13 — 16, 2015 Each month, features writer and Sunny Clark queues up three of Oregon’s in New York City. The organization is hosting ben- music insiders — an artist, an industry pro and an OMN staffer — to efits to defray travel costs. To support them, visit: ask each three questions about their musical and other tastes. Find out: www.ampjazz.org. Who they’re Queuing up to hear; where they’re Questing to with Memory is also responsible for the new band their other appetites; and who, what, or where has recently made them program at Portland’s Dr. King charter school, Quiver with delight. where 5th through 8th graders learn how to play instruments from Memory himself along with Shannon Tower other musicians. The band held their first public Singer-Songwriter performance on Martin Luther King Day. Queued for “Decemberists July 10th at Edgefield; FAA ENACTS RULE FOR MUSICIANS Liquor Store and gallery I already can’t wait to see them! And, I’m always on TRAVELING WITH INSTRUMENTS OPENS IN PORTLAND queue to hear Patty Griffin’s amazing voice and Funk In addition to the glitz of the 2015 GRAMMY The Portland DJ/Electronic dance scene is Shui with Sean Nowland on bass.” Awards show on February 8, The Recording getting an upgrade according to social media. A Quests to “Alberta Street Pub for the warm and Academy advocates for legislation on behalf of new club, The Liquor Store Gallery (and Venue), comforting energy with great live local music.” musicians and recently reported a win. Travel- opened on January 31 and bears no resemblance Quivers for “Opal Creek — one of the most beautiful, majestic ing musicians can now be assured that if they to its predecessor, The Blue Monk. The upper places I’ve ever visited.” board a flight with their instrument, they will lounge features a grand U-shaped full bar with be accommodated as long as it meets certain custom craft cocktails, snack foods, vintage Terry Currier size and safety regulations. This will alleviate décor and a vinyl only DJ booth. The downstairs Music Millennium owner frustration for musicians, who in the past were basement gallery is an intimate and proper club Queued for “San Francisco’s Chuck Prophet subject to forced gate-checks and the prospect experience equipped with a full bar, art wall who knocked the roof off the Doug Fir last month of damage or loss of their instrument. The new installation and coveted Funktion One sound — 30 years into his career and he’s rocking and guidelines go into effect for all airlines on March system. Located at 3341 SE Belmont, Portland, writing his best material ever!” 6, 2015. OR 97214. Quests to “Waves of Grain at 22nd and Burn- side has a to-die-for espresso-glazed bran muffin NEWS FROM NATIONAL ASSOCIATION NORTHWEST SOUND SET TO DOMI- and, if my appetite is big enough, I’ll follow it up OF MUSIC MERCHANTS NATE THE AIRWAVES IN 2015 with their biscuit…yum!” The NAMM show is the Superbowl of music It’s been a good start to the year for Pacific Quivers for “Metts, Ryan & Collins — one of the most exciting, product trade shows, with over 95,000 attendees Northwest bands; it almost feels like it is 2007 all straight-ahead rock bands to come out of Portland in years. Joe from 90+ countries. This year’s event took place over again with the radio waves thick with those Walsh even commented on Geoff Metts slide playing. Power trio January 22 — 25 in Anaheim, CA. Organizers that defined the post-grunge era, Northwest rock and roll!” reported a new creative renaissance underway in sound. New albums include The Decemberists' the industry as an influx of small manufacturers What A Terrible World, What A Beautiful World Esteven Muñoz with fresh ideas join the more established brands and Sleater-Kinney’s No Cities to Love; as well Filmmaker and OMN Intern on the floor with handmade or custom built as new works due in March by Modest Mouse, Queued for “Ratking! I missed these guys musical products like long scale guitars, ukuleles, Strangers to Ourselves, and Death Cab for Cutie’s when they came in November because I wasn’t high driven guitar amps and groundbreaking new Kintsugi — completed just before Chris Walla’s 21, but their Hip-Hop album So It Goes is so technologies. The benefit for these small play- departure from the band this past September. good. A first album, it’s really good with surreal ers? They can share the show floor with the big Sleater-Kinney’s Carrie Brownstein has even and gritty production, and the main rapper, Wiki, guys and start to build a name for themselves. got a memoir in the works. All this and it’s only pulls off complex, multisyllabic rhyme schemes Summer NAMM takes place July 9 — 11 in February! despite his missing front teeth. They feel instantly Nashville, Tennessee. Read Ruben Mosqueda’s iconic and I’ll be standing in line to see them when I turn 21 this coverage of NAMM on the OMN website. NICK JAINA TURNS A PHRASE year.” Brownstein isn’t the only one putting pen to Quests to “Alberta Street’s amazing places to eat! I frequently SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION OPEN paper these days, Alt-Folk musician Nick Jaina go for the Pineapple Chicken Fried Rice at Thai Noon. Blue Olive THROUGH FEBRUARY 14 contemplates life while in a self-imposed silent re- Café has an awesome gyro sandwich with amazing fries and I love In addition to interactive musical presenta- treat in his first book, a work of non-fiction,Get It La Sirenita! Their fish and California burritos are my favorites. Super- tions, the Oregon Music Hall of Fame awards While You Can, out now. From the publisher: “As affordable Mexican food! I love food!" yearly scholarships to selected graduating Oregon the silent days unfold, Jaina attempts to rewire his Quivers for “The discography of Death Grips. They were a band high school seniors who are college-bound music own brain in a burst of unpredictable digressions from 2011 to 2014 that managed to release six albums of some of majors. Since 2007, OMHOF has awarded 26 and unsent love letters, musings on the miracles the strangest, most experimental and innovative music I’ve ever scholarships totaling over $35,000. Visit www. of science and the fallen heroes of popular music. heard. Musically, these guys are everything from Hip-Hop, Punk/ omhof.org for details. Get It While You Can is a late-night ode to the Metal, Techno and Industrial all at once; they’re completely im- pursuit of sanity.” mersed in their own world and it’s utterly fascinating. Their final al- HIGH SCHOOL BAND SELECTED bum is part two of a double album, The Powers That B, and has yet A MINGUS finalist Got a news tip? Feature Idea? Contribution? to be released. The first single, 'Inanimate Sensation,' was released primary logos Congratulations to Portland’s American Music Send it to [email protected] lenames for les provided in December — it’s insanity and I absolutely love it!” for use on general items – main webpahge, · OMN_BW_simple_headphones letterhead, business card OMN 18 | JanuaryO M2015N OMN · OMN_BW_capsule_headphones oregonmusicnews.com oregonmusicnews.com oregonmusicnews.com · OMN_color_headphones

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By Aaron Martin with Tender Loving Empire) and the Alialujah Choir. institution they chose to help fund their ambitious On Feb. 13, Revolution Hall hosts activist, author venture. Mississippi Studios’ Jim Brunberg and Kevin and snarky sex advice columnist Dan Savage with Brunberg and Cradock, who also own the suc- Cradock bring forth Portland’s newest concert venue. the ‘Unlucky in Love Pre Valentine’s Pity Party’. And cessful Mississippi Studios, intend Revolution Hall to In just three weeks, music lovers will have their first Feb. 14th closes out the preview weekend with Live fit the area as harmoniously as possible, rather than opportunity to check out Revolution Hall, Portland’s Wire! Radio, with Luke Burbank, another Portland drastically change the neighborhood’s cozy vibe into new midsize music venue in what used to be the original. something it doesn’t want to be. The existing dog auditorium of Washington High School. Revolution Hall’s emphasis on booking local acts park in front of the property will remain open, for Revolution Hall will kick off their preview weekend is no coincidence. In fact,primary local logos is key for co-owners lenames for les provided on Feb. 12 with hot local bands Wild Ones (signed Brunberg and Cradock, even down to the financial Hall continued on page 20 for use on general items – main webpahge, · OMN_BW_simple_headphones letterhead, business card 19 | February 2015 OMN OMN OMN · OMN_BW_capsule_headphones oregonmusicnews.com oregonmusicnews.com oregonmusicnews.com · OMN_color_headphones

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Hall Continued from last page

instance. On event nights, staff will hand out parking maps to ease the po- tential for clogged streets. The ground floor cafe and bar affiliated with the venue, Martha’s, will close at 1 a.m. instead of 2. “We want it to have a neighborhood pub feel,” says Brun- berg. It’s all part of his and Cradock’s aim to realize their dream in a way that’s conscientious and community minded. And like any lofty dream seen to fruition, it’s been a challenge, to be sure. “There are a hundred and fifty things that need to go perfectly. If the temperature is wrong, the seats are uncomfortable, the sound isn’t up to par, the customer service isn’t up to par, any of these things can turn an evening out into a poor experience and we want to avoid that. We really respect the people that choose our venues for live music.” To accomplish this daunting task, Brunberg had to turn to some innova- The Hall is part of what was formerly Washington High School. tive problem solving. Case in point: padding, he chose a top-notch Meyer the chair problem. Those seats you’ll Sound system for the space. “It’s sit in during a show have been in that called a point array system, as op- same vaulted space since before light- posed to a line array. It has a bigger, bulbs were a thing — don’t worry, warmer sound in general and has bet- they’ve got brand new cushions. We ter coverage. We definitely don’t want tested them. to just scrape by on the sound quality; But while retrofitted furnishings we want to make a statement.” lend a certain antique flair to the hall, With the venue’s preview week- retaining them posed a problem. Brun- end fast approaching and the official berg recalls, “The seats in the balcony grand opening set for April, Brun- were meant for underclassmen, so berg, Cradock and team are hard at they were built too small. There was work making all the pieces fit. That no way they were going to work.” means booking the sort of talent And although the balcony offers clear who can fill an 850-plus venue like sightlines of the stage from almost Revolution Hall, bands from far and any angle, the steepness of the rows wide. Among the local acts Brunberg ruled out any modern theater seat on wants to attract back to Portland is the market. For a solution, Brunberg Typhoon. “After they were able to sell Hence, Brunberg’s close attention to appreciate the artist. There’s nothing turned to local craftsman Matt Lackey. out Mississippi Studios, they kinda sound quality, customer service, and about Revolution Hall that’ll make “He does high-end artistic projects, disappeared for a while until they were the overall experience. He hopes that, people say, ‘Hey, look at that and he knows how to make incredible chandelier!’ It won’t plywood. So right now he’s cutting up all the wood and “We definitely don’t want to just scrape by on the be like that at all. It’s going to bending it into a giant piece be like, ‘Wow, I’ve never heard that we will then cut to make sound quality; we want to make a statement.” that band sound so amazing the backs that we’re going to live.’ At the end of the day, use for our balcony seats.” we want people to come to a show at But while furnishing the auditorium able to sell out the Crystal Ballroom.” when those seats start to fill, fans will is important, Brunberg’s main focus But it’s a tricky balance, because in appreciate the effort that’s gone into Revolution Hall and say, ‘That band is the sound. He admits to being order to keep booking the sort of Revolution Hall. sounded amazing live,’ because that’s something of a music nerd. Besides talent that can fill a midsize venue, “The type of audience we want is the type of audience we’re trying to primary logos Revolution Hall will have to fill seats. lenames for les provided retrofitting the auditorium with sound anyone who comes to really listen and attract.” [OMN] for use on general items – main webpahge, · OMN_BW_simple_headphones letterhead, business card OMN 20 | FebruaryOM 2015N OMN · OMN_BW_capsule_headphones oregonmusicnews.com oregonmusicnews.com oregonmusicnews.com · OMN_color_headphones

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Riot Wmmmn Rock Surf-psych revival Sleater-Kinney No Cities to Love isn’t just No Cities to Love relevant in today’s world, it’s Psychomagic the catchiness that appeared on the Sub Pop needed. It’s ten tracks of brazen Bad Ideas first album. Punk adorned with fluid melodies, Lolipop Records Released in December of 2014 mature songwriting and a boatload through Los Angeles’ cassette label, of catchy couplets — without a Lolipop Records, Bad Ideas has dud in the bunch. There is no Pop a little something for everybody balladry or Prog Rock complica- and anyone seeking a new beach tions. The trio belts out songs day soundtrack. Consider “Go-Go abouts aging, industry, consumer- Ladies (From Outer Space)” for ism like they’ve been repressed the cosmic inspired, “Your EBT for ten years and there’s no time (Can’t Buy My Love)” for all the to waste (which, in a sense, they head-bobbing, hip-swiveling have). “We’re wild and weary but surf punks, and, of course, the we won’t give in / We’re sick with album’s namesake track, “Bad worry / These nervous days / We Ideas,” for the creeping, fluores- Sleater-Kinney had a decade- live on dread in our own gilded cent monster mashers. There is long, seven-album run that ended age” the trio sings in unison on Psychomagic (the therapeutic also the burning, bass-driven “Your in 2005 and supplanted the female “Bury Our Friends.” practice): spiritual healing that Lover,” the stoned, skipping la-la Rock band from Olympia firmly The band is also ornery in all incorporates art and mysticism, choruses in “Flowers in the Sun,” into American music history. They the right places. One of the sharp- a combination of Zen and psy- and do not forget “Gumball Crazy” were quintessential ‘90s and on est, grinding guitar riffs comes choshamanism. to complete your snack shack jams. the forefront of the riotgrrrl move- on a song called “Fangless.” “No Psychomagic (the psych-rock Remember, Psychomagic is a band ment. Anthem” is the most anthemic of band): playful, sunshine-filled holding a silly, childlike comedy in After a decade hiatus (during the bunch. And “A New Wave” sounds of the ‘60s surfing out of one hand, and with the other hand which guitarist and vocalist Car- kicks premonitions of the music the garage, and in a very whimsical waving obscurely into the psychedelic rie Brownstein made a name for industry out the door: “No one and refreshingly retro kind of way. distance, directing all listeners and herself with Millennials as co-star here is taking notice / No outline Whereas the music on the Portland audiences toward a deeper music of TV show “Portlandia”), Sleater- will ever hold us / It’s not a new band’s self-titled debut album was experience. And if there is one thing Kinney released its eighth studio wave/ It’s just you and me.” fueled by colorful pranks and warp- for certain, this lively, vibrant experi- album last month, No Cities to Sleater-Kinney doesn’t sit back ing freak-outs, their sophomore ence cannot be attained by taking Love. As one would expect from and muse on the powers that be. album, Bad Ideas, is a more con- yourself too seriously, but believe in an aging band’s comeback album, They confront, they tug the pow- trolled candy high — a mind- and Psychomagic. This band will show it’s a mishmash of throwback, ers about, and they sound great mood-altering philosophy which you the way. fun memories, but just a bit doing it. With No Cities to Love, has evolved without losing any of — Thea Prieto inconsistent and sounds like good Sleater-Kinney has retaken its musicians “going through the mo- position atop the American Rock tions.” Right? hierarchy. Old-time folk Wrong. — Ossie Bladine

The Lowest Pair The Sacred Heart Sessions It is time to create a playlist for old, gnarled trees with patchy-like to miss beat of a sassy good story Team Love Records your next road trip, folks, and the trip sun streams. Kendl comes from Up of love that just won’t stop. Did I should take place at a time when the North by way of Olympia, Wash- mention that they both play banjoes? windows can be rolled way down. Be ington, and I feel her homesteading That is an added bonus. The simple, sure to add the new gem of an album root-like energy thread through her pleasant way of taking two charm- called The Sacred Heart Sessions by voice in ways that remind me of long ing voices and pairing them with two The Lowest Pair so you can enjoy that ago old time singers. Palmer makes a basic instruments keeps the listening journey about seven more times than perfect partner with a voice that calls experience as easy as sipping on a you expected. the dandelions to dance in a circle of cold one on a hot summer day. This Kendl Winter and Palmer T. Lee Americana gentleness. Listening to music makes perfect sense. make up this pair who sing the tunes this duo feels like a sweet lullaby at This is the duo’s second album and

that remind me of the haunted voicesprimary times, logos but my favorite track is “Fourth it releases on Feb. 24. lenames for les provided of rustic mountainsides that live with Time’s a Charm” because of that hard — Dennise Kowalczyk for use on general items – main webpahge, · OMN_BW_simple_headphones letterhead, business card 21 | February 2015 OMN OMN OMN · OMN_BW_capsule_headphones oregonmusicnews.com oregonmusicnews.com oregonmusicnews.com · OMN_color_headphones

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5th Annual Portland Mardi Gras Ball • Mysti Krewe of Nimbus • Reggie Houston • Charmaine Neville Saturday, February 14, 2015 Mysti Krewe of Nimbus brings 200 years of Mardi Gras legacy to Portland and unleashes it in the Won- der Ballroom to flirt with fancy St. Valentine. This year, a raucous crowd of Mardi Gras Ball favorites welcomes Charmaine Neville from New Orleans to join Portland’s favorite NOLA son, Reggie Houston, and the supreme soul of his Crescent City Connec- tion. Mardi Gras Ballers will groove to the Too Loose Cajun Band and Transcendental Brass Band, with Jackstraw // Maurice Spencer Teilmann photo traditional festival fanfare added by the Northside Skull and Bones Gang. Plenty of beads to go around, over the last decade of recording. His latest album, the heavy rock brainchild of former Nine Inch Nails costume contest and a “light taste of Louisiana Smoke and Mirrors, has him reflecting as an aging guitarist Richard Patrick, continues to tour, write Cuisine included,” plus a pay-and-peel shrimp bar. musician now in his mid-30s. Of course, those and produce. Known more for summer tours, Filter $25-$41. 21+. boyish looks and heart-on-the-sleeve lyrics are still headlines this year’s Oregon Winterfest. 8:30 p.m. front and center. Show up on time for Willy Tea Free with $10 entry into festival. Jackstraw Taylor, co-frontman of The Good Luck Thrift Store Tuesday, February 10 Outfit, whose recent solo album,4 Strings, is as BENEFIT FOR TOO SLIM • Curtis Salgado LarelThirst Public House, Portland beautiful a high desert folk-country album that's All-Star Jam • Guitar Summit Mandolins croon the sweet Country melodies of out there today. Armory 7 p.m. $20 advance; $25 Sunday, February 15 twang-loving Jackstraw. The Bluegrass collective Day of Show. All Ages. Crystal Ballroom, Portland transports audiences to a rural mountain paradise of Joey Scruggs assembled this amazing, festival- musical delights at LaurelThirst Public House. 6 p.m. Be My Valentine with Patrick Lamb grade all-star line-up at Crystal Ballroom to boost Free. 21+. Saturday, February 14 the cancer surgery benefit fund for award-winning Pure Space, Portland Hall of Fame Bluesman, Tim ‘Too Slim’ Langford of Too Slim and the The Taildraggers. Co-sponsored Alialujah Choir • Wild Ones Portland’s darling Lamb invites romantics to a ca- by Cascade Blues Association, Music Millennium, Thursday, February 12 tered dinner and dancing at posh Pure Space while City Graphics and Backwoods Brewery and Or- Revolution Hall, Portland he blows his sultry sax with that sensual satisfac- egon Music News, this could be the best 15 bucks Adam Shearer and Alia Farah (both of Shearer’s tion that smooths your every move. Dinner 7:00 - you spend all year. The soon-to-be legendary namesake band Weinland) and Adam Selzer (Norfolk 8:30, and dancing, 8:30 -11:00. $30 – $75. 21+. line-up includes the Curtis Salgado All-Star Jam & Western) combine forces of personal artistry as featuring Curtis Salgado, DK Stewart, Alialujah Choir. Sparse instrumentations and stunning Smokey Robinson Peter Dammann, Boyd Small and three-part harmonies form the signature notes not lost Saturday, February 14 John Mazzocco; Guitar Summit among the many awards lauding the 2012 American Oregon Symphony presents Mo- with Big Monti, Robbie Laws, short film/narrative music video,A House, A Home, town legend Smokey Robinson Henry Cooper, Peter Dam- based on the song of the same name by Adam Shearer performing well-known hits mann, Jim Mesi and Ty Curtis; and Adam Selzer, scored by Alialujah Choir and sweet as Valentine’s Day at DK Stewart Trio; Lloyd Jones’ featuring Portland Cello Project. Alialujah Choir helps Arlene Schnitzer Concert Struggle; Pin and the Hor- Hall. 7:30 p.m. $35 – $97. christen the new Revolution Hall at 7 p.m. Minors nits Big Band reunion; okay with adult guardian. Women in Blues, fea- Filter turing Sonny Hess, Brett Dennen • Willy Tea Taylor Saturday, February 14 Vicky Stevens, February 13 Old Mill District, Bend Lisa Mann and Tower Theater, Bend (Sold Out) If candlelight tables and roses aren’t your Rae Gordon; February 14 thing, try a mosh pit on the year’s most Norman Sylves- primary logos Historic Ashland Armory, Ashland romantic day. Twenty years after lenames releasing for les provided ter Band with Dennen's amiable Pop Rock has aged just a bit the hit single “Hey Man, Nice Shot,” Filter, for use on general items – main webpahge, · OMN_BW_simple_headphones Courtesy Smokey Robinson letterhead, business card OMN 22 | FebruaryOM 2015N OMN · OMN_BW_capsule_headphones oregonmusicnews.com oregonmusicnews.com oregonmusicnews.com · OMN_color_headphones

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Special Guest Tevis Hodge, Jr.; Mary on computers making ‘music’.” Just Flower, Joe McMurrian and Terry listen to this music! No matter how Robb; Ty Curtis with Special Guests computerized it gets, it’s great. 9 Kevin Selfe & Steve Kerin. 5 p.m. p.m. $20 - 23. Mon 4-9 | Tue-Thu 11-9 $15, $18 at door. 21+. Fri-Sat 11-10 | Sunday Closed Hapa The Mastersons Friday, February 27 urbandecanter.com | facebook.com/UrbanDecanterFG Wednesday, February 18 Aladdin Theater, Portland Axe & Fiddle, Cottage Grove Saturday, February 28 | 2030 Main St Ste B | Forest Grove, OR | Texas born, Brooklyn based, this Shedd Institute for the Arts, Eugene husband-wife team earned their Hawaiian music doesn’t have more own record deal while being lovely a hybrid than Hapa’s “One prominently featured on tour with South Pacific” progeny accompa- Steve Earle and his band, Dukes and nied by “one guy from New Jersey” Duchesses. Alt-country with Pop (according to the duo’s website). melodies. Aaron Lee Tasjan opens. (Diversity is so Portland!) Aladdin: 8 8:30 p.m. $10. All Ages. p.m. $30. Under 21 w/ parent/guardian only. Shedd: 7:30 p.m. $28-$34. Seaside Jazz Festival February 20 — 22 Kindness Five venues, Seaside Thursday, March 5 Make the most of being close to a Doug Fir Lounge, Portland beautiful coast all year long at the Fusing the musicality of Pop, R&B, 29th Seaside Jazz Festival (Formerly Electronic, Funk, and even Ambient called the Oregon Dixieland Jubi- lee). Enjoy Ragtime, Dixie, Swing all into one listening experience is and traditional Jazz at five Seaside this act of Kindness. The band adds venues. $20–$95. Students (ages 14 just the right amount of accessibility — 20) 3-Day Festival Pass $15. Free without pandering to the broadest under 14 with adult guardian. See demographic. 9 p.m. $14-16. 21+. www.jazzseaside.com for single day prices. Wolf Alice Live Music at The Pines! Wednesday, March 11 pm Flight Facilities Bunk Bar, Portland Every Friday from 6–9 Sunday, February 22 Contemporary groups like this keep Wonder Ballroom, Portland the long tradition Brit-Pop-Rock alive Mon 12–5pm • Thurs 12–7pm Electronic. Accessible. Fun. Flight with off-kilter, catchy Pop tunes Fri 12–10PM (Live Music 6–9PM) Facilities is a burgeoning musical that hearken back to the dive bars Sat & Sun 12–7PM duo that brings genuine artistic cred- of London 50 years ago. Cram your 202 Cascade Ave. Ste. B, Hood River, OR ibility to a genre too often thrown junk into Bunk Bar by 9 p.m. $10. primary logos 541-993-8301 www.thepinesvineyard.com lenames for les provided into a category of “untalented kids 21+. [OMN] for use on general items – main webpahge, · OMN_BW_simple_headphones letterhead, business card 23 | February 2015 OMN OMN OMN · OMN_BW_capsule_headphones oregonmusicnews.com oregonmusicnews.com oregonmusicnews.com · OMN_color_headphones

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