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February 11, 2011

Portland Jazz Fest Upcoming Acts

February has always been a month of tons of PDX Jazz posts. The Portland Jazz Festival is stones throw away on the calendar and all shows still have tickets available except for the Esperanza Spalding event.

My recommendations for must see performances would be Don Byron and Joshua Redman -- the son of the great Dewey Redmen. Here's some info about the upcoming performers:

DON BYRON

Thursday, February 24 - 7:30pm - Newmark Theater

He's been to the festival before and now the conservatory trained social critic and activist brings Plays Mickey Katz, the groundbreaking and virtuosic ensemble that spearheaded the Klezmer revival dedicated to the great Mickey Katz, musical pioneer, humorist, and musical director for Spike Jones.


NIK BARTSCH'S RONIN + BLUE CRANES

Friday, February 25 - 8:30pm - Alberta Rose Theater

Swiss/Zen/Funk best describes the highly theatrical, Zurich based Nik Bartsch's Ronin. He will perform with the invigorating Blue Cranes, whose recent release, Observatories, was named as one of the best jazz releases out of Portland this year by local critics.


PONCHO SANCHEZ - LATIN JAZZ DANCE PARTY

Friday, February 25 - 9:30pm - Crystal Ballroom

Poncho Sanchez's music would best be described as a kaleidoscopic swirl of some of the hottest colors to emerge from either side of the border. The Grammy Award winning conquero will perform with his sizzling rhythmic ensemble to get the party started.


THE 3 COHENS + AFRO-SEMITIC EXPERIENCE

Saturday, February 26 - 2:00pm - Crystal Ballroom

The 3 Cohen siblings- Anat (clarinet), Avishai (trumpet), and Yuval (sax), express lyrical tone qualities of the swing era with a post-Coltrane fervor and a flair for Near-East Mediterranean folk, cross-referenced with Afro-Latin rhythms. The Afro-Semitic Experience is an off-shoot of the creative work of African-American pianist Warren Byrd and Jewish-American bassist David Chevan.


SF JAZZ COLLECTIVE

Saturday, February 26 - 7:30pm - Newmark Theater

A Portland Jazz Festival favorite, this will mark their premiere performance of SFJAZZ Collective Plays Stevie Wonder. They will be feted by an elite octet: Miguel Zenon, Robin Eubanks, Avishai Cohen, Edward Simon, Matt Penman, Stefon Harris, Eric Harland, and Mark Turner.


REGINA CARTER

Saturday, February 26 - 9:30pm - Crystal Ballroom

Violinist Regina Carter traveled through Africa to research and record an album of indigenous folk music. Her latest E1 Music release, Reverse Thread, fuses this folk medium juxtaposed with a contemporary feel while remaining true to the past.


JOSHUA REDMAN

Sunday, February 27 - 2:00pm - Newmark Theater

It's been 20 years since Joshua Redman broke through by winning the famed Monk Competition and he has not looked back since. Redman had a remarkable tenure with The SF Jazz Collective and on this occasion, a special quartet comprised of Aaron Goldberg, Matt Penman and Eric Harland.


MACEO PARKER

Sunday, February 27 - 7:30pm - Crystal Ballroom

Who better than Maceo Parker to close the festival! He's synonymous with funky music and best known for his tenure with James Brown. He's the living, breathing pulse which connects the history of Funk in one golden thread.

You can purchase your tickets by calling 503-228-JAZZ (5299) or visiting the PDX Jazz office at 133 SW 2nd Ave., Suite 420.



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