July just seems to be packed full of great performances from local and touring acts, but here is a quick look at a few other blues acts hitting the area that you may be interested to checking out.
On Saturday, July 6th, British blues-rocker Sandi Thom will be doing an in-store performance at Music Millennium at 3:00 pm. That same night at the Oregon Zoo, one of the leading influential Read more
Tuck Foster & the Mossrites – press photo
This Eastern Washington-based band led by multi-award winning vocalist & harmonica player Tuck Foster will be hitting several stops in our area in July. This is sure to be an entertaining group, as Foster is joined by some of Washington’s finest musicians making up The Mossrites: bass player Patrick T Moss, guitarist Jason Moore and drummer Mike “Choo Choo Train” Geho. The band plays exceptional Chicago style electric blues. Members of both the Inland Empire Blues Society in Spokane and the Walla Walla Blues Society rave about Tuck Foster & The Mossrites and you have four opportunities to see for yourself: Thursday, July 18th at 8:00 pm at Duff’s Garage (635 SE 7th, Portland), Friday, July 19th at 7:00 pm at the Trails End (1320 Main St, Oregon City), Saturday, July 20th at noon at Gladstone Latus Harley Davidson (870 E Berkeley St Gladstone), and Saturday, July 20th at 7:00 pm at The Birk (11139 Oregon 202 Clatskanie). Check with venues for admission prices.
Barbara Healy & Groove Too Band (press photo)
For more than thirty years, Barbara Healy has been astounding audiences throughout the Pacific Northwest. Based out of the Eugene/Albany area she has been delivering top quality blues and R&B at major festivals and venues all up and down the West Coast. Recently she put together a new band focusing on her incredible songwriting and they have recorded an album titled Shades of Blues. The band on the disc is made up of Barbara’s essential vocals, guitarist Mickey Beach, Keyboardist Michael Mendenhall, Corey Culberhous on bass, Phil Shupert on drums and horn players Jeff Homan and Joe McCarthy.
Barbara Healy & Her Groove Too Band will be holding a CD release party at Duff’s Read more
By Wendy Schumer
My annual trek to SoCal this year for Doheny Blues Festival (May 18-19) was accompanied by an extension of the journey to include Simi Valley Cajun and Blues Festival (May 25-26). I made a commitment to write up something for the BluesNotes about each of these festivals so here goes:
Doheny Blues Fest (http://www.dohenybluesfestival.com) carries a pretty hefty price tag –(VIP ~$200 for early bird) and what does one get? Well for starters the Read more
By Laurie Morrisey
A while back, I approached Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival Talent Coordinator, Peter Dammann, and asked him about some of the unsung heroes of the festival. The first name that came to his mind was Ray Varner. Ray worked at the Fed-Ex Stage for about 10 years, although he’s retired now.
“He was the perfect guy for that gig. I relied on his judgment a lot; he was one of the people, especially in the early years, that encouraged me to go after some of the Read more
Cascade Blues Society Picnic
Shelley Swaffer
Just one month until the picnic and this year promises to be a great time! This year we will be entertained by:
12:00 – 1:00 Sonny Hess & Vicki Stevens
1:00 – 1:45 Rae Gordon and Her Big Band
2:00 – 300 Ken DeRouchie Band
3:15 – 4:15 Boogie Bone
4:30 – ? August in Blue
In between sets we will have a water balloon toss, a 3 legged race, piñatas and other fun activities to enjoy. There will be a craft area for the young folk as well as piñatas for them too!
The CBA will be providing the hamburgers, hot dogs, and beverages. The rest of the meal is pot- luck. So using the first letter of your last name we are asking you to bring:
A – C Chips, Dips or Veggies
D – H Hot Dishes
I – M Salads
N – Z Goodies or Dessert
Remember the picnic is open to all CBA members and their families. You can join or renew your membership at the picnic.
As always the picnic is held at Tomahawk Bay Moorage, in Jantzen Beach. 515 NE Tomahawk Island Drive Portland, OR 97217
See you all there!
Paul Thorn – press photo
Paul Thorn has been pleasing crowds for years with his muscular brand of roots music – bluesy, rocking and thoroughly Southern, yet also speaking universal truths. The Tupelo, Mississippi native worked in a furniture factory, jumped out of airplanes, and was a professional boxer before sharing his experiences with the world as a singer-songwriter. His songwriting has brought comparisons to the likes of John Prine and John Hiatt and he has been hailed as “The Mark Twain of Americana.” His performances are captivating, covering his original music and top-notch covers done in his own unique style. A rising star, Paul Thorn is one of those musicians whose shows are a must see.
Paul Thorn will be returning to Portland for a show on Sunday, July 21st at the Alberta Rose Theatre. This show is open to all ages, those under 21 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Show time is 8:00 pm. Tickets are available at www.albertarosetheatre.com and are $20.00 advance and $25 at the door.
British blues guitar slinger Joan Shaw Taylor, Winthrop R&B Festival 2011. Photo by Andy Cotton
This year’s 26th Anniversary of the Winthrop Rhythm & Blues Festival is shaping up tobe the best rhythm & blues PARTY yet! COME SEE WHY! The Award-Winning WinthropMusic Association presents the Festival July 19-21, 2013 at the Blues Ranch in Winthrop, Washington, nestled in the beautiful Methow Valley in the heart of the North Cascades, surrounded by some of the most spectacular scenery in the Pacific Northwest.
Featuring:
JOHNNY WINTER
Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk
Bonerama
A listing of new music received at the CBA office or purchased personally this past month that should be noted:
Al Lerman – Live At The Acoustic Grill (Self Release)
David Egan – David Egan (Self Produced)
The Mighty Mojo Prophets – press photo
From Long Beach, California, Rip Cat Recording artists The Mighty Mojo Prophets will be heading to Portland for a show at Duff’s Garage (1635 SE 7th) on Sunday, July 7th at 8:00 pm. Nominated for a Blues Music Award in 2012 for the debut recording, they are currently touring to support their follow-up disc titled Flyin’ Home From Memphis. The band is fronted by vocalist Tom “Big Son” Eliff and guitarist Mitch “Da Switch” Dow, who are continuing the long tradition of first-rate blues originating from Southern California. It is honest, straight-up West Coast blues with a little blues flavoring from Chicago and Texas, with Memphis soul, country blues and proto-rock ‘n’ roll thrown into the mix.
Admission for The Mighty Mojo Prophets is $10.00, but this is a Cascade Blues Association co-sponsored event, so show your current membership card at the door to receive a $1.00 discount. The perfect way to keep the blues rolling after the Waterfront Blues Festival has come to an end.