Cover Your Hearts - a night of 80s guilty pleasure love songs. Pictured: Lael Alderman & The Hungry Hearts at CYH 2023 by Gary King Grab your glitter, your sequins and your shiniest suits for the 14th annual Cover Your Hearts Show, a benefit for The JWF: Feb. 17 at the Get Down. By Claire Levine In 2008, a group of musicians got together to celebrate Valentine's Day and the ‘80s – and to raise money for a good cause. It was so much fun, they’ve been doing the Cover Your Hearts (CYH) show annually – with audience members returning year after year. And once again – the proceeds of this yea ..read more

JWF Board President Rachel Melissa volunteering at our Waterfront Blues Festival booth. Read her letter to the community below. Dear Music Friends and Family,  In recent weeks, I've noticed a new series of billboards around Portland that announce, simply, “Portland Is What We Make It.” The mural-like advertisements feature colorful, happy scenes involving Portland iconography such as roses, beer, and pastel donuts. When I see these cheerful proclamations, I think to myself: Portland is Music.   Far and wide, we are known as a community built on music: from big names like, Esperanza ..read more

Jeremy Wilson singing “Run of the Mill” at the George Harrison Celebration Oct 21, 2023 Revolution Hall Portland, OR.  Guitarists left to right: Al Toribio, Mark Bowden, Anita Lee Elliott, Jeff Langston (bass). Hello JWF Supporters, Since I founded the JWF 501(c)3 in 2010, I’ve had the great pleasure of witnessing the power of our community in action. In that time, countless musicians, fans, and businesses have enabled our Musicians Health & Services Program to support more than 400 musicians and their families, providing more than $1.5 million in emergency assistance grants and navi ..read more

The Alberta Rose and The JWF are keeping the music and magic alive – 47 years after The Band said goodbye in its epic concert, The Last Waltz. Portland’s annual event, The Next Waltz, showcases fabulous Oregon musicians recreating the original performance and reminding us how extraordinary it was. Mark Bowden, Arietta Ward, Greg Hyatt and Jesse Lee Young rock “Further on up the Road” (Eric Clapton) at the 10th annual The Next Waltz, happening again this year November 24, 25, and 26, at Alberta Rose Theatre. Tickets Available Now Since 2011, Adam East and Jeff Rosenberg have organized and perf ..read more

Empowering First Time Buyers and Creative EntrepreneursEmbarking on the journey of purchasing your first home as a self-employed artist can be a thrilling yet daunting endeavor.  Step into a realm of possibilities and knowledge at the vibrant intersection of real estate and music, as we proudly present: HarmonyHome Workshop: Where Musicians Find Their Address.  Moderated by:   Sam Densmore: Realtor with Keller Williams and music producer at JWF. Ethan Sackfield: Mortgage broker with Advantage Mortgage. ? Date/Time: Sunday September 24, 2023, 1:00 - 2:30 PM ? Venue: The JW ..read more

EP 012 - featuring Lenanne Miller The JWF has teamed with photographer Norm Eder to highlight the creativity of the Northwest music community. The Every Musician 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 Musician Has a Story Project EP 012 - featuring Lenanne Miller Title: A Sweet Family Affair Lenanne Miller was born to sing, but her talent was not discovered by her father, Norman Sylvester, until she was in college. Today she shares the stage with Portland's own Boogie Cat, t ..read more

The JWF has teamed with photographer Norm Eder to highlight the creativity of the Northwest music community. The Every Musician 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 Musician Has a Story Project EP 011 - featuring Rich Layton Title: Prisoner of Rock and Roll Rich Layton is a musician's musician. His distinctive style is instantly recognizable to rock and roll fans. He earned his musical chops playing with some of the best rockers of his generation in Austin and Houston. He no ..read more

Photo by Norm Eder With mentors ranging from his mom, Melody, to Baby Gramps, Ural Thomas and Norman Sylvester, Tevis’s performances span the history of blues from the earliest country styles to electric. By Claire Levine Spending time with his dad’s family in Virginia, Tevis Hodge, Jr., was surrounded by the blues – mostly the contemporary styles of the time. But it was first in Utah, then in Portland, that Tevis started a serious study of the blues, its history, evolution and techniques.  Tevis’s mother, Melody, was a singer/songwriter who played guitar. She always encouraged his inter ..read more

From L - R: Scott Franklin (sax), Ben Partain (keys/organ), Ed Pierce (Drums), Joe McCarthy (trumpet), Kivett Bednar (guitar), Ben Rice (guitar), LaRhonda Steele (vocals), Rae Gordon (vocals) Not pictured: Lisa Mann (bass/vocals), Ken DeRouchie (vocals). An interview with award-winning singer, bandleader and writer Rae Gordon who knows how to thrive – and equally knows the forces that can drag us down. Her spirit-lifting song “It Will Not Last” speaks to all who have experienced despair and to the people who love them. By Claire Levine Rae Gordon was working on writing songs for a new 12-song ..read more

Since 2021, the Waterfront Blues Festival has included the JWF Musician Health & Services Program as one of two organizations benefiting from the Blues Fest Cares program. Christina Fuller, event organizer, told us why the festival and the foundation are such a great fit. By Claire Levine Even over a computer monitor, it’s apparent that Christina Fuller is her own little power production station. She generates enough personal, dynamic energy to power the Waterfront Blues Festival, without help from wind or solar. The co-owner of Fuller Events told The JWF about taking on management of th ..read more