Although I'm kind of busy lately, I needed to write about tenor saxophonist Melissa Aldana and her recent masterclass and concert in Portland. As I mentioned in my preview for the concert last month, I had heard of Aldana in Downbeat magazine. As a reader who is also a working musician, I find some of the artists profiled in the music press blow smoke about each other and their projects and freely inject extra-musical thematic concepts and esoterica. Of course, most are very good players in spite of such PR gambits. I had seen Aldana's name and remembered it, but I hadn't investigated her musi ..read more

Oregon Music News · Bill Frisell's Marvelous Dream ..read more

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There’s still time to get your tickets to Treefort Music Fest; Boise, Idaho’s premiere indie music event. Now in its twelfth year, Treefort boasts an impressive 400+ bands over 4 days in the downtown Boise area. Featuring a highly walkable experience, and plenty of auxiliary events in the various themed forts, Treefort puts the child-like wonder in your festival experience rather than the all too common grueling realization of “I’m too old for this shit.”  Not only is it a well curated offering of musical acts across Idaho, Treefort is great opportunity to see up-and-coming Portland bands ..read more

As the snow quickly melted from a recent winter storm, 070 Shake made a stop in Portland, Oregon at the Wonder Ballroom. The show was in support of her recently released 'Petrichor' album. Johan Lenox and Bryant Barnes joined Shake as part of the US portion of the tour. Johan Lenox started the night with a binaural and pop Imogen Heap sound. Two local string players supported him on stage as he had been collecting local artists at each stop. Bryant Barnes followed shortly after with a series of love songs. He played a yet-to-be-released tune inspired by the movie 'La La Land.' Both supporting ..read more

Paul K. Ward captured video and audio interviews of several of Portland’s top women jazz performers.  Listen to these stories by Saeeda Wright (vocals and compositions), Cheryl Alex (flute, vocals, composition), and Kathleen Hollingsworth (piano, vocals, composition) — all three performing this week at The 1905’s extraordinary Women In Jazz week. The 1905 has been investing more in raising up the talents in the local jazz scene — and this time around, it’s all about the women. These interviews are just a taste of the richness of the talent, music, compositions, and groups on the cale ..read more

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Jon Spencer with Collate at Dante's in Portland on 02/25/25 - Photos ..read more

Melissa Aldana, a native of Chile, has been making a name for herself as one of the great saxophonists in today’s jazz world. She was recently named Downbeat magazine’s “Rising Star Artist of the Year.” She will perform Tuesday, March 4th with the PSU Jazz Band under the direction of George Colligan in downtown Portland I have been attending concerts by the jazz band at PSU for years now, seeing a host of great players, including alto saxophonists Steve Wilson, Miguel Zenon, and Paquito D’Rivera; vocalist Johnaye Kendrick; vocalist/saxophonist Camille Thurman– and others, almost all of whom I ..read more

Happy Mardi Gras everybody. Things are winding up or winding down to Fat Tuesday on March 4th 2025…Depending on how you look at it.  And who better to help us find out all about the big fun here in the Big Rainy is Steve Kerin, keyboardist and co-founder of the Misty Krewe of Nimbus, our own Portland Mardi Gras Krewe, Steve Kerin. The Krewe is throwing their annual Mardi Gras Ball at the Wonder Ballroom on Saturday, March first  and then on Mardi Gras day it’ll be time for their big Parade. That’s when the big bass drum leads the big parade Paul K Ward is producing today’s episode, h ..read more