A Benefit For LaRhonda Steele: Oct 14 @ Jimmy Mack’s

LaRhonda Steele (photo by Greg Johnson)

LaRhonda Steele (photo by Greg Johnson)

When it comes to soul, blues, gospel and R&B, LaRhonda Steele stands firmly amongst the very best vocalists in Portland. Aside from fronting her own LaRhonda Steele Band, she has worked and performed with many of the city’s finest and best performers, including The Norman Sylvester Band, Curtis Salgado, Linda Hornbuckle, Paul deLay, Obo Addy, Thara Memory, Janice Scroggins and the Ken DeRouchie Band. Recently LaRhonda has learned that she has breast cancer and to help her meet some of the expenses necessary for treatment, Soul Sisters Productions has put together an all-star benefit concert.

A Benefit for LaRhonda Steele will take place at Portland’s premier jazz club, Jimmy Mak’s, 221 NW 10th Ave., on Monday, October 14th. Scheduled to perform are four of the top acts in Portland: Soul Vaccination, Norman Sylvester Band, Linda Hornbuckle Band, and 2013 Blues Music Award BB King Entertainer of the Year Curtis Salgado. Showtime is 7:00 pm and admission is $25.00. Tickets and reservations available through www.jimmymaks.com.

Come out and show your love for LaRhonda and help her beat cancer now!

Delta Groove Recording Artists Sugaray Rayford and Kevin Selfe & The Tornadoes Team Up For Show At Duff’s Garage: Oct 24th

Delta Groove Records is one of the foremost blues labels today and two of their biggest recent success stories are teaming up for a fantastic night at Duff’s Garage, 1635 SE 7th, on Thursday, October 24th as part of a short Northwest tour that will also see them appearing in Walla Walla and Seattle.

Sugaray Rayford (photo by Alejandro Rodriguez)

Sugaray Rayford (photo by Alejandro Rodriguez)

When Sugaray Rayford belts out a song, you not only hear it, you feel it. The excitement in the room is palpable when he takes the stage; he is a superb vocalist and entertainer. His dynamic voice is large just like the man. With his old school vocal style, echoes of Muddy Waters, Otis Redding and Teddy Pendergrass can be heard. At 6’5″ he is a big man, but he moves with grace and energy. His fluid dance steps will remind you of the Legendary James Brown.

Kevin Selfe has been electrifying audiences nationwide since breaking into the blues scene Read more

The Legendary Ramblin’ Jack Elliott At The Alberta Rose: Oct 16

Ramblin' Jack Elliott (press photo)

Ramblin’ Jack Elliott (press photo)

Ramblin’ Jack Elliott is an American icon. A folk music legend who has been nominated for five Grammy Awards, including a win for Best Traditional Blues Album in 2009 for the disc A Stranger Here. With six decades of performing he has quite a lengthy and noted resume. In his early years he worked the roads as a troubadour alongside his buddy Woody Guthrie and became a huge inspiration for future musicians including Bob Dylan, Bonnie Raitt, Ry Cooder, Bruce Springsteen, Johnny Cash, Tom Waits and just about anybody who has picked up a guitar to play folk and roots music.

Ramblin’ Jack Elliott is coming back to Portland for a special night at the Alberta Rose Theatre, 3000 NE Alberta Street, for an 8:00 pm show on Wednesday, October 16th. Admission is $20.00 advance through the venue’s website and $22.00 at the door day of show. Minors are okay when accompanied by a parent or guardian. Young folk players Nell Robinson & Jim Nunally will be special guests with Ramblin’ Jack.

Blues Stains On My Hands: A Celebration Of 30 Years Of The Norman Sylvester Band: Oct 12 @ Jimmy Mack’s

Norman Sylvester (photo by Paul Nielson)

Norman Sylvester (photo by Paul Nielson)

On Saturday, October 12th, a special celebration event will happen at Jimmy Mak’s honoring thirty years of one of Portland’s most favorite bands, The Norman Sylvester Band. This band led by the always impeccable and gracious Norman “The Boogie Cat” Sylvester on vocals and guitar, has long been a breeding ground for many of the foremost R&B and blues musicians in the region. Many of those will be on-stage to help out in the festivities, including the likes of Rob Shoemaker, Janice Scroggins, LaRhonda Steele, Lenanne Sylvester, Sarah Billings, Renato Caranto, Paul Shoemaker, plus special guest appearances from past band members.

With four CD releases over the years, including 2013’s Blues Stains On My Hands which garnered high chart success on Sirius XM Radio, his songs have told the story of Sylvester’s family and the bands’ musical journey, playing out like a novel you cannot put down. The evening will feature those stories of Sylvester’s Teamster days at a Trucking Company that went broke, the struggles raising his family, sweet subjects of the heart and his desires to play his music. Be a part of this intimate concert with artists and songs from those albums. Not many other local bands have been together through so many changes in the world. And they’re still moving forward even stronger than ever. Join us as we celebrate the thirty year longevity of one of the Northwest iconic blues bands.

Jimmy Mak’s is located at 221 NW 10th Ave. Doors open at 5:30 pm, showtime is at 8:00 pm. Advance tickets are available at www.tickettomato.com for $12.00 guaranteed seating and $10.00 general admission.

 

 

Leukemia Cage Match Benefit Party Featuring The Duffy Bishop Band: Oct 18

Duffy Bishop (photo by Greg Johnson)

Duffy Bishop (photo by Greg Johnson)

Local blues fan Toby Dittrich is a leukemia survivor and wishes to celebrate his eighth anniversary of his remission and his birthday by hosting an event to help raise funds for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. He has put together a special night taking place at Duff’s Garage on Friday, October 18th that will be headlined by Cascade Blues Association Muddy Hall of Fame member Duffy Bishop and her band, plus a jam with a host of Portland music all stars.

Duff’s Garage is located at 1635 SE 7th. Seating for this event will be available starting at 7:00 pm with the show to begin at 8:00 pm. All donations at the door will benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Those giving donations by paying by check will receive a receipt which is tax deductible.

Plan on arriving early. Let’s fight leukemia and lymphoma until the ‘Big C’ cries uncle!!