Lady A

Lady A CD coverHow Did I Get Here?
Self-Produced

For somebody who has spent their life in Seattle, Lady A sure has a lot of Southern feeling within her music. On her latest release How Did I Get Here? there is the gumbo-flavored essence of Louisiana and that deep-down soulful Mississippi blues. It can be quite reminiscent of the great music originating from the Malaco Records label. And her recent trips down South with the Delta Music Experience tours have left quite an impression on this artist that shows through with the songwriting that she shares in the selections with bandmates J. Oliver III and Paul Robertson. The only exceptions are “24 Carat Man” that she co-wrote with guest guitarist Teri Wilson and a cover of the Will Jennings/Nesbert Read more

New Music To Note January

A listing of new music received at the CBA office or purchased personally this past month that should be noted:

Barbara Blue – Jus’ Blue (Big Blue Records)
Benny Jenkins Bloodline – Can’t Take The Blues (99 Man Records)
Big Joe Shelton – I’d Never Let Her Down (Self Produced)
Dan Treanor’s Afrosippi Band with Erica Brown – Tangled Road Again (P&C Plan-It Records)
Hard Garden – Extended Play #1 (Hard Garden Music)
Isaiah B. Brunt – Nursery Rhyme Blues (I Brunt)
Lady A – How Did I Get Here? (Self Produced)
Little Bit A Blues – The Best Of Little Bit A Blues Live At B.B. King’s Bluesville (Soul Stem Records)
Roomful Of Blues – 45 Live (Alligator Records)
The Hitman Blues Band – Blues Enough (Nerus Records)
The Rev Jimmie Bratcher – Secretly Famous (Ain’t Skeert Tunes)
Wayne Sharp And The Sharp Shooter Band – Living With The Blues (Self Produced)

Ben Rice Band Captures 2013 Journey To Memphis

Ben Rice Band J2M winners photo by Greg Johnson

Ben Rice Band J2M winners photo by Greg Johnson

Four acts won the right to take part in the Journey To Memphis finals at the Trails End Saloon in early June, The Mojo Blasters, Tevis Hodge Jr., Lisa Mann & Her Really Good Band and the Ben Rice Band. The finals were held on July 4th on The Oregonian Front Porch Stage at the Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival before a huge crowd with all four acts presenting dynamic performances. And when it was all said and done, the judges voted for the Ben Rice Band to represent the Cascade Blues Association in Memphis next January at the International Blues Challenge.

This year’s event was unique. Tevis Hodge Jr. had already won the right to go to Memphis prior to the Waterfront as he was the only solo/duo act that had advanced to the finals. He was competing against the bands for Read more

BANDSTAND

The Strange Tones

Hello Everybody,

Well summer’s in full swing, and it’s so nice to be playing and seeing friends in the great outdoors! We have such a variety of fun summer shows, from Pioneer Square to Willamette Park to Ilwaco Blues Fest, to name a few, and it’s always great to have a wider audience join our beloved usual suspects!

And when not gigging, we’ve also been spending a lot of time underground in the volcano, working on our top secret recording sessions. In fact, we just finished wrapping up the project and have sent it out for CD production!

And we have BIG NEWS: We’ve found the perfect location, and set the date for the official CD release! It’s going to be on Friday, September 20, at the Bossanova Ballroom. Located a few blocks from the Melody Ballroom, this historic Portland venue has been beautifully Read more

Board Happenings

by Shelley Swaffer

 Not much to report on this month as I am still recovering from the fabulous Waterfront Blues Festival. I hope you all had the opportunity to attend at least once. Each day brought new and wonderful experiences.

The CBA has had an out pouring from the community for its need for a new office space. While we have not yet decided where we will end up we will keep you informed. I want to send a special “shout out” to those members who have offered us space. Thank you

We are currently very busy with the details for the Membership Picnic and hope all are planning to attend. We are very much in need of volunteers so contact us when you get there and offer a couple of hours of your day to help us pull off this great event.

There is a change to the line-up. Sonny Hess and Vicki Stevens have another engagement so they will be starting the show and Alan Hagar and his special guest will be ending the show during the 5:00 hour.

Hope this finds all of you well and looking forward to our up-coming event and most especially getting out to appreciate our live music so you are ready to vote when the Muddy Awards come up next month!!

Hope to see you at the picnic!

NE Broadway Summer Kickoff Party: Free Music From Three Great Bands, Plus Beer, Wine & Food

FRIDAY, JULY 19

Margo Tufo

Margo Tufo

6:00 – 9:30pm Helen Bernhard Bakery parking lot – NE Broadway and 17th Ave.

The 2013 Kickoff Party will feature energetic blues, soul and funk by local favorites Margo Tufo, Terry Robb, and the Knuckleheads outside on the intimate Helen Bernhard Bakery stage. Local vendors will offer beer, wine and food for sale, and the music is FREE! The party starts at 6:00pm, so grab your friends and family and your dancing shoes for a great summer evening!

MUSIC SCHEDULE:

6:00-6:45pm – Terry Robb (blues)

7:00-8:00pm – Knuckleheads (soul, blues and funk)

8:15-9:30pm – Margo Tufo (blues)

FOOD & DRINK FROM: Great Wine Buys, Hop Haven, Food Vendors tba

Janiva Magness at the Lan Su Chinese Garden

Janiva Magness - photo by Greg Johnson

Janiva Magness – photo by Greg Johnson

This summer, the Lan Su Chinese Garden will be holding special Tuesdays by Twilight performances and on Tuesday, July 30th they will be featuring a special night with the sensational Janiva Magness. One of the most electrifying and entertaining performers on the blues scene today, Janiva Magness has won multiple Blues Music Awards over the years, including two just this last May for Contemporary Female Artist and Song of the Year, “I Won’t Cry” from her latest Alligator release Stronger For It.

Janiva Magness posseses a voice that draws you to her. Full of emotion, often full of sass, she is an engaging performer that commands attention. There is definitely a reason why she has been awarded with the B.B. King Entertainer of the Year BMA in the past as well. This is a performer and a concert you will not likely forget.

 

The Lan Su Chinese Garden is located in Portland’s historic Chinatown, in Old Town Portland, at 239 NW Everett St. Showtime is 7:30. Tickets are available through www.lansugarden.org and are $35 for Lan Su members and $40 general admission. Gates open at 6:30. Beer, wine and dinner boxes are available from local vendors.

 

Young Blues Guitar Phenom Samantha Fish To Debut At Duff’s Garage – Aug. 8th

Samantha Fish color photo by Greg Johnson

Samantha Fish color 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.

Bill Kirchen to Highlight a Series of Nights to Celebrate Promoter Joey Scruggs’ Birthday

Bill Kirchen press photoThe “Titan of the Telecaster” and original guitarist for Commander Cody & His Lost Planet Airmen, Bill Kirchen returns to Duff’s Garage as the main event in a series of three nights celebrating local promoter Joey Scruggs’ 60th birthday.  One of the best guitar pickers of all time, and perhaps best known for his incredible guitar work on the hit song “Hot Rod Lincoln,” the Grammy-nominated Kirchen will also be celebrating the release of his newest CD titled Seeds & Stems.

Bill Kirchen will be performing at Duff’s Garage (1635 SE 7th) on Friday, August 2nd at 9:00 pm. Tickets are $21.00 and available through www.tickettomato.com. Opening the night will be Oregon Music Hall of Read more

The Third Annual CBA Rummage Sale Is Coming

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Hey everybody! It’s time to clean out all of your closets, garage and basement. While you’re at it . . . your neighbors, too! The third annual Cascade Blues Association rummage Sale is coming and your donated items are needed and welcome. This year’s sale will be held at The Bomber, 13515 SE McLoughlin in Milwaukie on Saturday, September 7th, from 9:00 am until 4:00 pm. Come on out Read more