PDX Jazz brings The Bad Plus to Portland this Sunday

The Bad Plus.  I started listening to The Bad Plus when I was 19.  Mainly because at the time I was into a lot of noise and math rock and these guys brought a new style of music to the table.  They have a rocky, angular vibe and I love their time signature changes and rhythms.  And their Rock covers?  Yes please.

Jazz has always been a about progression.  It's a syle that has developed a vast array of sub genres since the early 20th Century.  And The Bad Plus sheds new light on what Jazz is, how it can evolve, and how it can glance towards the future.  Much like the Pixies, when Ethan Iverson, Reid Anderson, and Dave King play in this formation, they create unique music that cannot be replicated elsewhere.  With both technique and composition, each of them bring an individuality to the table that amalgamates Jazz, Rock, Classical, and the Avant-Garde.

On the heels of their newest album, Made Possible, PDX Jazz is bringing The Bad Plus to the Mission Theater this Sunday with a 3pm set and a 7pm set.   If memory serves right, I believe the last time TBP came to Portland was 2009.  Making Sunday all the more special for fans.

More exciting Jazz performances for JazzApril!

Since it's #JazzApril I'm not sure this is intentional, or some sort of chaotic order is happening, but it's shaping up to be a stellar month for live Jazz in Portland, Ore.  I have already posted about these shows, but there's more...

Avant-Garde icon Burton Greene is playing two shows in Portland this week.  His US appearances are rare enough so it's an honor that he will be playing in town twice.  First show is tonight at the Camellia Lounge at 7pm, $7 to get in. He will also be at the Piano Fort in Sellwood this Friday at 8pm, $15.  The Piano Fort show is co-sponsored by PDX Jazz and The Creative Music Guild and is coupled with a film screening of Moldavian Blues: A film of Burton Greene.   Greene will be accompanied by one of Portland's leading jazz bassists, Andrew St. James, along with virtuosic drummer Tim DuRoche, and Seattle's Marc Smason on trombone.  Get to one these shows!

Speaking of Tim DuRoche, The Kin Trio (featuring Sunjae Lee and Andre St. James) will be having a CD release party this Saturday at Ford Food and Drink from 7-9pm.  This show is free, but you can give off good vibes by purchasing a CD to support the cause.  This release is part of an exciting series of Jazz albums by local players as part of the Portland Jazz Composers' Ensemble new record label.

Jazz Message Received

So this happened last Friday...

PDX Jazz's 2013 Portland Jazz Festival brought our modest city a collective of Jazz Messenger alumni.  With musical direction by Javon Jackson, The Jazz Message: Celebrating Art Blakey performed swinging hard bop classics from the historical repertoire that Art Blakey blessed Jazz fans with since the mid-twentieth century. We gazed, clapped, tapped our toes, and danced in our seats to the chops of Javon Jackson (ts), Eddie Henderson (tr), Bobby Watson (as), George Cables (p), Buster Williams (b), Lewis Nash (d), and long time veteran Curtis Fuller (tb).

These are tunes that allowed me fall in love with Jazz, and these guys f***in nailed it!  Their soloing was spot in, timing was impeccable, and the ensemble parts were powerful.  Art Blakey, wherever he might be, would be delighted to know that this music lives on.  Set list highlights were Fuller's "À la Mode," Benny Golson compositions "Along Came Betty" & "Blues March,"  Wayne Shorter's "One by One," Bobby Timmons' "Moanin," and an encore performance of Dizzy Gillespie's bebop classic "A Night in Tunisia."  Like any great Jazz musician, these guys pulled from the past while still making it their own.  This was particularly evident in "Moanin" where we heard licks and phrasing appropriated from the original recording.  Still, their decisions during those moments in time were unique to that evening.

Lewis Nash was powerful on the drums and had no problem filling the big shoes of Art Blakey.  His backing licks at the end of measures and phrases complemented each soloist with ease, and his solo right before kicking it into "Blues March" left me wanting more.  Needless to say, he crushed it on stage.  Another soloist highlight for me was Bobby Watson.  His range extended to every nook and cranny of that alto sax.  He shined on fast tempoed, swinging tunes as well as his soulful playing on a ballad number.

This is the music that made me fall in love with Jazz.  The album Moanin' is one of most important pieces of mid-twentieth century music (not just Jazz), it laid that groundwork for hard bop in the 1960s, and is probably one of the most recognized Blue Note releases. The fact that I was able to witness 3/6s, or one half, of the music from Moanin' by musicians who have graduated from Art Blakey's Hard Bop Academy was a special occurrence for me.  A memory that won't be forgotten. 

The Jazz Message

"If nobody has anything to say about the departed, I'd like to say a few words about Jazz!" - Art Blakey*

The 2013 Portland Jazz Festival is in full swing with the closing headliners this weekend.  If you've been following PDX Jazz on Facebook then you've seen the excellent coverage of events.  Each show having significant turnouts. Tickets still remain for tomorrow night's The Jazz Message; Tribute to Art Blakey featuring Musical Director Javon Jackson (ts), Bobby Watson (as), Curtis Fuller (tb), Eddie Henderson (tr), George Cables (p), Buster Williams (b), Lewis Nash (d).  Which can be purchased here.

Immediately I wanted to jump on this show.  Art Blakey and his Jazz Messengers we're the third tier that really had me taking Jazz seriously.  First it was Mingus, then Monk, and third was the Messengers.  In fact, the very first book on Jazz I read cover to cover was Hard Bop Academy: The Sidemen of Art Blakey And The Jazz Messengers by Alan Goldsher.  This book is a journey that profiles the greats that went in and out of The Jazz Messengers.  Containing stories and anecdotes that brought enlightenment to many of their recordings or performances through nearly a half century on the scene.
That's what I have going on tomorrow night and if you haven't gotten out to any Portland Jazz Festival events then this is the one for you.  Following the Jazz Message I'll be continuing my Jazz journey with a nightcap at The Blue Monk to catch Battle Hymns and Gardens.

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*Quoted from Visions of Jazz by Gary Giddens.  p. 368, c. 40, Art Blakey (Jazz Messenger).  Which further sited the quote from Jazz Anecdotes by Bill Crow. 

2013 Portland Jazz Fest

It's almost that time...  Almost that time where the city of Portland dedicates nearly half a month to Jazz music.  The 2013 U.S. Bank Portland Jazz Festival Presented by Alaska Airlines kicks off in one week.  You can take part in a city wide celebration of America's great musical art form.  There are plenty of free events along with ticketed ones, as well as educational and outreach programs.  You can view a full schedule here.

Now in its tenth year, the Portland Jazz Festival has continued to bring worthy headliners and local musicians together in the name of Jazz.  An eclectic showcase of Jazz happenings around Portland keep it exciting year after year.   You can find many events taking place in restaurants or pubs, smaller venues, and larger concert halls. 

Also take note that Battle Hymns and Gardens will be performing February 22 at The Blue Monk.  I'll be there for a nightcap after The Jazz Message event (Curtis Fuller, Bobby Watson, Eddie Henderson, George Cables, Buster Williams, Lewis Nash, and Javon Jackson) at the Newmark Theater.  And it's worth noting that you can sample a handful of unmastered takes for BHaG's upcoming debut album on their website. 

Post-Matthew Shipp Trio Performance / Pre-Portland Jazz Fest

The Matthew Shipp Trio performed Monday night at Portland's Jimmy Mak's.  Sponsored by PDX Jazz, the lineup announcement for the 2013 Portland Jazz Festival coincided with the show.  

Three unique individuals in Matthew Shipp's trio, himself along with Michael Bisio (b) and Whit Dickey (dr), provided both a physical and metaphysical journey throughout the night.  An organic blend of familiar and unfamiliar themes pulling from Classical, Jazz, Rock, and Folklore.  I know I use the phrase Controlled Chaos a lot on this blog, but this was the perfect example of that concept. The music was free and continued to lift higher and higher.  Yet it was all weighted by a sense of connectivity these three had with one another.  
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...So without further ado here is the 2013 U.S. Bank Portland Jazz Festival Presented by Alaska Airlines roster.  Now in their tenth year of bringing stellar Jazz music to our fine Metropolis.

Friday, Feb. 15, 7:30pm @ Aladdin Theater - Afro Cuban All-Stars & Alfredo Rodríguez

Friday, Feb. 15, 7 & 9:30pm @ Jimmy Mak's - NEA Jazz Master Barry Harris with Chuck Israels & Todd Strait in partnership w/ Soul Patch Music

Saturday, Feb. 16, 7:30pm @ Scottish Rite Auditorium - Art Abrams Swing Machine Big Band featuring Rebecca Kilgore in Tribute to Stan Kenton with Shanghai Woolies

Saturday, Feb. 16, 9:30pm @ The Mission Theater - Blue Cranes in partnership with Creative Music Guild

Sunday, Feb. 17, 3:00pm @ Classic Piano - Alfredo Rodriguez, solo piano

Monday, Feb. 18, 7:00pm @ Jimmy Mak's - PDX Jazz All-Star Student Big Band under the direction of Gerald Wilson

Monday, Feb. 18, 9:30pm @ Jimmy Mak's - PDX Jazz All-Star Educators Ensemble under the direction of Darrell Grant Play the Music of Gerald Wilson

Tuesday, Feb. 19  7 & 9:30pm @ Jimmy Mak's - Scott Hamilton Quartet

Tuesday, Feb. 19, 7:30pm @ Evans Auditorium - Kurt Rosenwinkel Quartet in partnership with Lewis & Clark College

Wednesday, Feb. 20, 7 & 9:30pm, Jimmy Mak's - Matt Wilson's Arts & Crafts

Thursday, Feb. 21, 7:00pm @ Winningstad Theatre - Patricia Barber Quartet

Thursday, Feb. 21, 9:30pm @ Winningstad Theatre - Kenny Garrett Quartet

Friday, Feb. 22, 7:00pm @ Newmark Theatre - The Jazz Message; Celebrating Art Blakey

Friday, Feb. 22, 9:30pm, Winningstad Theatre - Steve Kuhn Trio w/ special guest Devin Phillips

Saturday, Feb. 23, 7:00pm @ Newmark Theatre - NEA Jazz Master Jack DeJohnette featuring Ravi Coltrane, Matt Garrison & George Colligan

Saturday, Feb. 23, 9:30pm @ Winningstad Theatre - Sexmob Plays Fellini  

Sunday, Feb. 24, 3:00pm @ Winningstad Theatre - Portland Jazz Master Nancy King with Glen Moore and Steve Christofferson

Sunday, Feb. 24, 7:00pm @ Newmark Theatre - ACS: Geri Allen, Terri Lyne Carrington, Esperanza Spalding

I know! Right?...  The shows that stand out to me are Jack DeJohnette and his For Portland Only special quartet configuration, The Jazz Message Celebrating Art Blakey in a world premiere featuring Javon Jackson, Bobby Watson, Eddie Henderson, Curtis Fuller, George Cables, Buster Williams and Lewis Nash, the Kenny Garrett Quartet, and the Steve Kuhn Trio featuring special guest Devin Phillips.  

Tickets are on sale now to PDX Jazz Members and will be on sale to the public starting October 27.  For ticketing information and a complete schedule of events visit www.pdxjazz.com. 

PDX Jazz brings Matthew Shipp Trio to Portland

Photo credit: andynew

Thanks to PDX Jazz Matthew Shipp and his Trio will be performing two sets at Jimmy Mak's (8pm and 9:30pm) on Monday, October 15th.  I will be there and so should you.  Shipp is pivotal in Modern Jazz and allows Free and Avant-Garde Jazz to maintain relevance in new music.  I can talk and talk about how important he is to contemporary Jazz, but if you're reading this blog chances are you already know.

From PDX Jazz:

PDX Jazz and Jimmy Mak’s present the Matthew Shipp Trio on Monday, October 15th @ 8 and 9:30pm. The 2013 U.S. Bank Portland Jazz Festival Presented by Alaska Airlines lineup will be announced. Shipp, an influential godfather figure in the New York Knitting Factory scene, will be making his first Portland area appearance in nearly 20 years.

Earlier this year Shipp released a studio album entitled Elastic Aspects with Michael Bisio on bass, and Whit Dickey on drums.  This recording follows the lineup's first release, a live album called Art of the Improvisor.  Shipp's style has a wide range under the Free Jazz umbrella.  This Trio date should offer an intimate glance into the pianist/composer's technique and concepts. 

You can also wet your whistle with this...

The Matthew Shipp Trio

Monday - October 15th

Set Times - 8 & 9:30pm
Advance Tickets

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PDX Jazz is also presenting a film screening during the NW Film Center's 2012 Reel Music Festival.  If seeing the Matthew Shipp Trio live on Monday isn't enough Jazz for you, be sure to visit the Mission Theater that Wednesday, the 17th, for a special double feature of Sonny Rollins: Behind the Notes, and Ornette: Made in America.  

I had the opportunity to see Ornette:Made in America at the 2008 edition of the Reel Music Fest.  It's worth noting that seeing this in its entirety is a special treat, and I wouldn't miss this chance to see it on the big screen. 

PDX Jazz, 50 Years of Impulse!, ECM On Sale, & What I've Been Listening To

A lot has been going on in Jazz this year, and I'm having a hard time keeping up with it. For starters I just noticed PDX Jazz Founder and Artistic Director Bill Royston has retired. I'm sure the fest will be in good hands with the board and Don Lucoff. I wish Bill the best. I have gotten to see Ornette Coleman, Lou Donaldson, Bobby Hutcherson, Pharoah Sanders, and The Bad Plus thanks to his curating.

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All ECM albums are on sale at Music Millennium:

Please take advantage of this special offer from Music Millennium - and ECM Records of 20% off all ECM titles from now until the end of June.

The first place I worked when I moved to Portland was Music Millennium in NW Portland (up until it closed). I was a floor supervisor and oversaw the Jazz collection. Let me tell you, they have an impeccable collection of ECM titles. Although this sale could be dwindling their stock fast. Music Millennium is in Portland on East Burnside and 32nd Ave. You can also shop online.

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It has been 50 years of enjoying Impulse! Records. Some nice releases are/will be available to commemorate this milestone.

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I've been enjoying a lot of Destination:Out recently. They have been providing some notable articles on Sun Ra and George Lewis (and here).

I haven't had a whole lot of time to get into some new music. I've been listening to a lot of Braxton Montreux/Berlin Concerts, and an extreme amount of Don Cherry. Particularly his Blue Note sessions and the ESP-Disk' Café Montmartre volumes. Which offer beautiful, low produced clones of segments of his suites from those Blue Note recordings.

As far as Braxton, put him with Dave Holland and Barry Altschul, alongside either Kenny Wheeler or George Lewis and my day instantly gets better.

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I just bought an iPad and will be using BlogPress. If you see the below signature attached to any post, it pretty much means I'm trying to justify any typos, weird capitalization, or awkward formatting issues.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

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.

Rogue Announces Release of Jazz Guy Ale

Ah, it's nice when my two passions mix together. Although, as a huge beer geek -- like most beer geeks -- I'm not a huge fan of Rogue. I do appreciate their willingness to support PDX Jazz and step up each year. In the eighth year of the festival, Rogue offers their eighth consecutive limited bottling of Jazz Guy Ale, another alias for their American Amber Ale.

It seems like they're ditching the unique bottle designs for each festival. Originally they offered a bottle with a musician, and each year the instrument played changed on the illustration. Starting last year and continuing this year, PDX Jazz Artistic Director, Bill Royston, has been the subject of choice. This makes sense and matches the rest of Rogue's identity. Usually the characters featured on their bottles are actual individuals involved with Rogue, or the story behind the beer contents. So why not continue that tradition with Bill Royston? It's great for Bill, he deserves the credit and is indeed Portland's Jazz Guy.

In any hopes, I will buy a couple bottles of the handsome serigraphed Jazz Guy Ale bottles offering my support to the festival. Look for bottles available at Rogue Pubs and Portland Jazz Festival events.

Also to note, Rogue Ales will be hosting three nights of live Jazz at their Portland Public House & Distillery. Check out PDX Jazz for scheduling and ticket information.

PDX Jazz Fest Receives Two NEA Grants

Great News! The 2011 Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air Portland Jazz Festival Presented by US Bank has received two grants by the National Endowment of the Arts (NEA). A much prestigious honor, the PDX Jazz fest received the Jazz Masters Live grant and the Challenge America Fast-Track grant.

It's no easy feat to gain grants from the NEA, and I applaud PDX Jazz for showcasing some of the finest International Jazz up in our little pocket here. And I'm glad to see them getting this huge recognition on a national level.

Press Release:

The 2011 Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air Portland Jazz Festival Presented by US Bank has received two NEA grants. PDX Jazz has been awarded a Jazz Masters Live grant and Challenge America Fast-Track grant.

The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) created the Jazz Masters Live grant to help bring outstanding jazz musicians, writers, producers, and scholars to communities across the nation through NEA Jazz Masters Live. In cooperation with Arts Midwest, these NEA Jazz Masters Live grants support performance and educational activities featuring NEA Jazz Masters, recipients of the nation's highest honor in jazz. The program celebrates these living legends who have made exceptional contributions to the advancement of jazz and offers audiences the unique opportunity to share the artists' expertise in performances, master classes, clinics, lectures, and short term residencies. "Live interactions between musicians and audiences are essential to jazz," said NEA Chairman Rocco Landesman.

NEA Jazz Master and acclaimed pianist, Randy Weston, will open the 2011 Portland Jazz Festival on February 18 at the Winningstad Theatre with an evening of solo jazz piano. He will also lead a workshop for Portland State University students and participate in the festival's "Jazz Conversation" series, hosted by Marty Hughley. Weston will be appearing in support of his most recent album, The Story Teller, available through Motema Music, and his recently released autobiography, African Rhythms, available through Duke University Press.

The Challenge America Fast-Track grant offers support primarily to small and mid-sized organizations for projects that extend the reach of the arts to under-served populations -- those whose opportunities to experience the arts are limited by geography, ethnicity, economics, or disability. This category, as an essential component of the Arts Endowment's goal of providing wide access to artistic excellence, supports local projects that can have significant effects within communities.

Portland Jazz Festival, the first major international jazz festival on the annual global jazz calendar, attracts an audience from a large geographical area, serving a population that does not routinely have access to internationally acclaimed jazz artists without traveling to Seattle or San Francisco. With the Challenge America Fast-Track grant, Portland Jazz Festival will connect more directly to the immediate community it serves, and reach out specifically to minority populations within the greater Portland Metropolitan area. One of the main goals in obtaining these grants is to create a festival that not only showcases today's masters, but also connects the Portland community to jazz as a vibrant, living, changing music that is as relevant today as ever, creating an atmosphere that supports the art form year round.

The National Endowment for the Arts has supported jazz artists and organizations since 1969, providing millions of dollars in grants and awards. In 2004, the NEA significantly expanded its NEA Jazz Masters program and in 2005 created the NEA Jazz Masters Initiative, a comprehensive program of jazz support that includes the NEA Jazz Masters Award; radio programming featuring NEA Jazz Masters; educational resources through the NEA Jazz in the Schools program produced by the Arts Endowment in partnership with Jazz at Lincoln Center; and publications and reports.

For more information on NEA Jazz Masters, please visit neajazzmasters.org

The Jazz Fest is just around the corner (2/18-2/27) so get to www.pdxjazz.com to start planning your itinerary. You can purchase your tickets by calling 503-228-JAZZ (5299) or visiting the PDX Jazz office at 133 SW 2nd Ave., Suite 420.

I'd also like to point out the redesign of their webpage. Looking sharp!

When It Rains It Pours

Portland has been quite the melting pot for great live jazz this month. Local icon Devin Phillips performed John Coltrane's A Love Supreme last Saturday night. Chick Corea alongside legends Roy Haynes, Christian McBride, and Kenney Garrett played last weekend at the Schnitz. Trombone virtuoso Curtis Fuller played just this week at Jimmy Maks. Did I get to see any of it? NOPE. Having two jobs starts to wain on personal endeavors, but that's ok because PDX Jazz just announced the theme and acts for the 2011 Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air Portland Jazz Festival presented by U.S. Bank. You heard that right.

More posts to follow about events, what I'm interested in, and must sees of the festival. It's that time when Portland jazz nerds can get all gitty again!

Press release below:

BRIDGES AND BOUNDARIES:
JEWISH & AFRICAN AMERICANS PLAYING JAZZ TOGETHER


Past, present and future collaboration between African Americans and Jewish Americans is the message behind Bridges and Boundaries:Jewish & African Americans Playing Jazz Together, the theme of the 2011 Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air Portland Jazz Festival presented by US Bank. The festival, which annually selects a compelling musical and programming theme, will be held Friday, February 18 through Sunday, February 27 at venues throughout Portland. The complete festival lineup will be announced on October 13 when single show and special package tickets go on sale exclusively to PDX Jazz members. Tickets will become available to the general public on October 23.

A select few of this year's culturally diverse headliners include Avishai Cohen, the Israeli trumpeter, one of the leading players in the new all-star performing the work of African American pop icon Stevie Wonder. Cohen will also be joined by his siblings Anat Cohen and Yuval Cohen for a special performance of SFJAZZ Collective,The 3 Cohens. Famed African American violinist Regina Carter will return to Portland, presenting her newest project, Reverse Threads, which traces the musical history of African cultures, including tribes of Ugandan Jews. And, Joshua Redman, son of African American saxophonist Dewey Redman and Jewish American dancer Renee Shedroff, leading his new James Farm Quartet that includes both African American and Jewish American musicians.

African and Jewish American community leaders, Portland Jazz Festival's new Artistic & Community Ambassador Esperanza Spalding (who will lead her new Chamber Music Society in an exclusive Portland area engagement), and many other artists will participate and interact in panel discussions and "Jazz Conversations" focusing on artistic and social perspectives. National jazz journalists, writers, and critics-including Nat Hentoff-will also participate in these events.

"The original idea for this festival came from Nat Henoff's writings about jazz as a meeting place for African and Jewish Americans." said Bill Royston, Artistic Director of the Portland Jazz Festival. "His writings of Steven Bernstein's 'Diaspora Blues' to the odyssey of Willie 'The Lion' Smith were of primary influence. Historically, the music drew people together, and today there is a new wave of Israeli musicians who have moved to New York and elsewhere across the United States."

For more than 100 years, jazz has been the timekeeper of change in America's moods, lifestyles and overall social awareness. Jazz has historically broken down racial color lines and cultural differences. Its stage has been a magnet for African Americans, Asians, Hispanics, and Western Europeans; all playing together in jam sessions long before the Civil Rights movement existed. Truly, jazz is America's classical music, and its only indigenous art form.

In his acclaimed history of Portland jazz, Jumptown, Robert Dietsche documents how communities were divided and destroyed by urban development. As I-5 segmented the Black community and signaled the death of the N Williams cultural scene, I-405 shattered the Jewish neighborhoods. In many cities, the Black community evolved from what had originally been a Jewish neighborhood. These physical boundaries, however, only enhanced cultural divisions and misunderstandings, which remain prevalent today.

Movements in contemporary jazz are again leading the way in creating bridges between African Americans and Jewish Americans. This merger of new directions in Jewish music with African American jazz improvisation has brought together the theme of the 2011 Portland Jazz Festival (February 18-27).

What is PDX Jazz?
PDX Jazz is Portland's jazz organization, producing the annual Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air Portland Jazz Festival presented by U.S. Bank. PDX Jazz offers an array of distinguished programs throughout the year in a variety of indoor and outdoor settings boasting internationally recognized artists while supporting regional fan favorites from the Northwest, often times presented in newly configured formats. PDX Jazz in partnership with Oregon Music News recently initiated a monthly jazz series at PDX Jazz @ Tony Starlight's, an intimate music venue, located in northeast Portland.

For a complete schedule of events, please visit:

www.pdxjazz.com

Portlanders: Add this to your Calendar

PDX Jazz, the presenting organization of the Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air Portland Jazz Festival presented by U.S. Bank, has set up a new monthly series which will be kicked off this Saturday, September 18, with a special performance by Devin Phillips. Happening at Tony Starlight's Supper Club & Lounge, the audience will be treated with a full performance of John Coltrane's, A Love Supreme suite. Start time is 8pm, cover is $15.

I've seen Phillips a few times, he is a terrific player, and to see him pay tribute to one of the godfather's of jazz will be an extraordinary performance for sure (it'll be in honor of Coltrane's birthday -- 9/23, and the birth of Phillip's newborn son).

"While we were at the hospital during the birthing process, I had A Love Supreme played repeatedly," states Phillips. "John's music has and will always have a special place within my own music and family."

I will be doing my best to make it there, but wanted make sure other Portlanders were aware of this show. If you do make it out, be sure to tweet about it with the #jazzlives tag so others in the world know that jazz is thriving in Portland.

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Photo Credit: Andrew Lepley