Dan Haley says, “We all need bread to eat, a roof over our heads, clean air and clean water. But we also need emotional sustenance that connects us to other people. To me, music is the most powerful force for that.” That’s why Dan is donating a recording of his songs performed by local musicians to the JWF Musician Health & Services Program. It’s his way of giving back to a community that always watches out for each other. Join Dan Haley, Sattie Clark, Mike Danner, Jim Brunberg, Janet Julian, Greg Newman, Tim Acott, and special guests Saturday April 1st at the Laurelthirst Public Hou ..read more

Photo by Erick Alley of the band UHF: l-r Jeremy & Jordan Leff, Jeff Nelson and Matt Johnson rock Cover Your Hearts! By Claire Levine The name of this annual event, Cover Your Hearts, tells you a lot – including that the folks who started it liked to play around with words. The “cover” refers to cover performances of some favorite 80’s bands – mullets and all. The “heart” is because it’s always close to Valentine's Day. And in this case, the heart means a lot more: the heart-felt commitment the organizers have to their community.  Perhaps there’s even a serendipitous connection to J ..read more

Hello Friends, My earliest memories are of song-circles–the beginning of my musical learning–and the singers and songwriters who surrounded me. I joined the school band in second grade and continued that training through high school. In fourth grade, I started seriously studying ballet, dancing five days a week. At thirteen, I bought my first electric guitar using money I earned collecting bottles and picking strawberries. A year later, I put ballet on hold and started my first rock band. A selfie I took last summer at my old swimming hole in Scotts Mills, Oregon where I grew up. Eric Lovre ..read more

Seann McKeel has dedicated her life to helping others: particularly children with cancer. While Covid restrictions made it harder for her community to support Seann McKeel after her own cancer diagnosis, the JWF was there to help. By Claire Levine There’s no good time to get cancer, right? But some times are really worse than others. Ask Seann McKeel. First, a little about Seann. She is a helper and a creator. For many years, she was a booking agent and a great supporter of local musicians. She was always among the first to commit to fundraisers when someone in the music community needed help ..read more

A conversation with Duffy Bishop & Chris Carlson Photo by Norm Eder The JWF has teamed with photographer Norm Eder to highlight the creativity of the Northwest music community. The Every Artist has a Story Project uses artists' own words and images created by Norm to put the amazing quality and diversity of our music community on display. The Every Artist Has a Story Project  EP 010- featuring Duffy Bishop and Chris Carlson Title: “A Conversation With Duffy Bishop & Chris Carlson” Released Dec 22, 2022 Duffy Bishop and Chris Carlson met in Seattle in 1983 and moved to Portland in ..read more

A conversation with Chelsea Luker and Dan Duval Photo by Norm Eder The JWF has teamed with photographer Norm Eder to highlight the creativity of the Northwest music community. The Every Artist has a Story Project uses artists' own words and images created by Norm to put the amazing quality and diversity of our music community on display. The Every Artist Has a Story Project  EP 009- Chelsea Luker and Dan Duval Title: “A Conversation with Chelsea Luker & Dan Duval” Released Dec 15, 2022 Chelsea Luker and Dan Duval have been on the region’s music scene for twenty years.  They have ..read more

A conversation with Martin Velez Photo by Norm Eder The JWF has teamed with photographer Norm Eder to highlight the creativity of the Northwest music community. The Every Artist has a Story Project uses artists' own words and images created by Norm to put the amazing quality and diversity of our music community on display. The Every Artist Has a Story Project  EP 008- featuring Martin Velez Title: “A Conversation With Martin Velez” Released Dec 8, 2022 Martin Velez is a music composer, producer and sound designer, who works on soundtracks, scores, theme songs, jingles, title cards and so ..read more

A conversation with Adriana Wagner Photo by Norm Eder The JWF has teamed with photographer Norm Eder to highlight the creativity of the Northwest music community. The Every Artist has a Story Project uses artists' own words and images created by Norm to put the amazing quality and diversity of our music community on display. The Every Artist Has a Story Project  EP 007 - featuring Adriana Wagner Title: “A Conversation With Adriana Wagner” Released Dec 1, 2022 Adriana Wagner has been making music since childhood. For the last six years, Portland Jazz Ensemble has been giving aspiring teen ..read more

A conversation with Tony Coleman Photo by Norm Eder The JWF has teamed with photographer Norm Eder to highlight the creativity of the Northwest music community. The Every Artist has a Story Project uses artists' own words and images created by Norm to put the amazing quality and diversity of our music community on display. The Every Artist Has a Story Project  EP 006 - featuring Tony Coleman Title: “A Conversation With Tony Coleman” Released Nov 24, 2022 Tony Coleman has toured around the planet performing with some of the best R&B and blues musicians ever. Tony can attest to playin ..read more

A Conversation with Doug Rowell Photo by Norm Eder The JWF has teamed with photographer Norm Eder to highlight the creativity of the Northwest music community. The Every Artist has a Story Project uses artists' own words and images created by Norm to put the amazing quality and diversity of our music community on display. The Every Artist Has a Story Project  EP 005- featuring Doug Rowell Title: “A Conversation with Doug Rowell” Released Nov 17, 2022. Doug Rowell’s roots go deep into Oregon’s soil.  He grew up on a farm, but his berry stained fingers were never far from his electric ..read more