Kelley Hunt press photoOn Thursday, August 15th, the Alberta Rose Theatre will present one of the hottest twin bills to hit town this summer as Kansas City’s blues & roots piano playing Kelley Hunt will be showcased alongside San Francisco’s Quinn DeVeaux & The Blue Beat Review.

In some ways Roots R&B/Americana singer/songwriter/piano player/guitarist Kelley Hunt is a rarity and a challenge to the music industry’s penchant for easy artist definitions — a woman who has muscled her way into the scene on her own terms with an identity steeped in blues/roots/gospel traditions and a refreshing originality. She makes music with its righteous roots intact that also crosses boundaries, has an open-minded, exploratory attitude and takes on social and political issues. Together with a commanding, passionate stage presence and superior vocal, keyboard and songwriting skills she has earned the respect of critics and fans across North America and Europe.

Quinn DeVeaux has packed houses and astounded audiences in the bay area for years with his smooth and dirty spank you voice and cool melodic songwriting. First he started an early Chicago Blues band and then a New Orleans soul and gospel band. Both groups had audiences clamoring for more. Now he has combined it all in the Blue Beat Review a self-styled crossroads of his many musical roots. Quinn harnesses the likes of Ray Charles, John Hurt, Fats Domino and Bo Diddley. His songwriting is the classic influence made fresh. With all the style and subtlety of the great soul/blues singers of the earth bound golden days, his band keeps audiences in a state of joy.

The Alberta Rose Theatre is located at 3000 NE Alberta St. Showtime is 8:00 pm and minors are okay when accompanied by a parent or guardian. Tickets are $15.00 advance and $18.00 day of show, available on-line at www.albertarosetheatre.com.

Samantha Fish photo by Greg Johnson

Samantha Fish photo by Greg Johnson

Over the past few years Samantha Fish has taken the blues world by storm. The fiery young guitarist out of Kansas City has toured the country and Europe several times, was selected as the Best New Artist at the 2012 Blues Music Awards, recorded with the likes of Dani Wilde and Cassie Taylor and is set to have a new CD hit the shelves in September titled Black Wind Howlin’ on Ruf Records. She can easily mix up takes that are quite bluesy, rockin’ and even on the jazz side. A superb songwriter and vocalist, Samantha Fish is an astounding live performer that will hold you to the edge of your seat listening intensely.

Samantha Fish will be heading to Portland on Thursday, August 8th for her debut appearance at Duff’s Garage. Showtime is 9:00 pm. This is a Cascade Blues Association co-sponsored event, so make certain to show your up-to-date membership card at the door to receive a $1.00 discount on admission.

Kaye Bohler press photo“Rhythm and Blues Singing Baby of Soul,” “The White Tina Turner,” a “Power House Blues Woman and Entertainer,” these are a few of the titles given to singer/songwriter Kaye Bohler. The Santa Cruz Sentinel describes Bohler: “In a voice coated with whiskey and honey, Kaye Bohler sings the blues layered with a little bit of funk, R&B, jazz and San Francisco’s psychedelic sound. But it’s her lyrical honesty, trained voice and accomplished musicians that keep her band booked just about every weekend throughout the Bay Area and beyond.”  Sheer charm, personality and magnetism dominate this curvaceous curly-haired diva’s every performance and she’s been known to bring down the house just through her passionately delivered music.

The Kaye Bohler Band will be appearing at Duff’s Garage (1635 SE 7th) on Thursday, August 22nd for a 9:00 pm show that is certain to bring excitement and high-powered entertainment. Admission is $10.00. This is a Cascade Blues Association co-sponsored event, so bring your membership card for a $1.00 discount at the door.

 

The 44s press photoLos Angeles-based blues-roots band The 44s have been making a huge name for themselves touring across the country electrifying audiences with their outstanding blend of Chicago and West Coast styled blues. With front man Johnny Main offering some of the most rambunctious guitar licks and Tex Nakamura blowing the reeds out of his harmonica, The 44s will be bringing the house down with their infectious energy.

Supporting their most recent Rip Cat recording, Americana, The 44s will be making another trip to Duff’s Garage (1635 SE 7th) on Friday, August 9th at 9:00 pm. Opening the night will be one of Portland’s blues legends Big Monti Amundson with his hard-hitting original music. Admission for this show is $12.00 and as this is a Cascade Blues Association co-sponsored event, you can receive a $1.00 discount at the door by showing your current membership card. Do not miss out on what is sure to be a barn-burning party!

Coco Montoya press photoCoco Montoya just may be one of the premier blues guitarists of the day. Mentored by Albert Collins and spending a decade playing in John Mayall’s band primed Montoya for a solo career that has seen him filling venues and performing on festival stages around the world. A past Blues Music Award winner, Billboard magazine had this to say about Montoya: “In a world of blues guitar pretenders, Coco Montoya is the real McCoy. Be prepared to get scorched.” Always a sensational, exciting show filled with his toneful playing that can light up a room, Coco Montoya has long been a fan favorite touring artist in Portland.

       Coco Montoya will be returning to The Rose City for an evening at Jimmy Mak’s (221 NW 10th) on Wednesday, August 21st, starting at 8:00 pm. Tickets are available at www.tickettomato.com and are $18.00 for guaranteed seating and $15.00 for general admission.

CD Woodbury Band CD coverMonday Night!
Wide Willie Productions

The C.D. Woodbury Band is back following up their fantastic debut disc, Sunbanks Live!, with an ear-catching album of original music titled Monday Night! This Washington-based band works together like a finely-tuned engine, with all of the musicians handing out exceptional craftsmanship. Woodbury can play dynamic guitar, has rich vocals and is a superb songwriter. He is complimented highly by a crack-unit ensemble featuring Chris Kliemann on keys, Mike Marinig on sax, Mike Fish on bass and Don Montana on drums. Marinig and Montana both offer their vocals as well.

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Kara Grainger CD coverShiver & Sigh
Eclecto Groove

Kara Grainger, an Australian artist who now resides in Los Angeles, has released an outstanding new CD titled Shiver & Sigh, that showcases her talents as a singer, songwriter and guitarist in the utmost way. It also lets listeners know that she can cover a wide range of stylings and emotions, too. The disc is an eclectic mixture of blues with roots and pop sounds, plus a little bit of country flavoring tossed in just for good measure. It is such a clean sounding recording, very well produced by Read more

Hard Garden CD coverExtended Play #1
Hard Garden Music

This is definitely something new for Son Jack Jr. and Michael Wilde, the duo who have represented the Northwest at the International Blues Challenge and twice made the semi-finals. From their past you’d expect them to be releasing more of that traditional Delta style music that has been their mainstay for so many years. But they’re taking a challenging new direction with a new trio format that includes Seattle’s jazz, blues and funk man Garrett Williams. The grouping is called Hard Read more

Tangled Road Again
P&C Plan-It Records

Dan Treanor CD coverI first saw Erica Brown a few years back when she competed in the venue I run at the International Blues Challenge. An exciting performer who had talent in bunches. I also saw Dan Treanor’s Afrosippi Band perform in Memphis during the event a couple years later and was flat out floored by their presentation. So imagine my thoughts when this past year I discovered both Dan and Erica teamed up. This has got to be a killer pairing for sure. And it was. The band took third place overall in the band competition, putting on one of my most favorite sets in the finals in recent memory.

Now Dan Treanor’s Afrosippi Band featuring Erica Brown have released an album together titled Tangled Road Again and it is sensational. Dan is Read more

Roomful of Blues CD cover45 Live
Alligator Records

Roomful of Blues, in honor of their 45th year as a band, celebrate by releasing 45 Live. Recorded over a three night engagement this past March at The Ocean Mist in Mantunuck, Rhode Island. Forty-five years; this is a band that just never seems to slip on by. And that is certainly great news for blues fans because this group continues to release amazing, jumping music that can set the mood for any dance party.

Vocalist Phil Pemberton holds down the lead with the band, easily gliding Read more