Cascade Blues Association Annual Members Only Picnic, Sunday, August 3rd

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One of the most anticipated events of the year for Cascade Blues Association members is the annual picnic. Taking place on Sunday, August 3rd, it is open to members and their families only, and is one of the best perks of belonging to the CBA. Not a member or your membership has expired? Not to worry. You can join or renew at the picnic. The picnic will return once again to Tomahawk Moorage at Columbia Crossings on Hayden Island, 515 NE Tomahawk Island Drive, Portland, and will run from noon until 6:00 pm.

The Cascade Blues Association will be providing hamburgers, hot dogs and beverages. The rest is a pot luck. We’re asking members to bring an item to share, so by using the first letter of your last name we are asking you to bring:

A – C: Hot Dishes

D – H: Salads

I – M: Goodies/Desserts

N – Z: Chips, Dips & Veggies

There will be a craft area for the young ones from 12:30-2:00 with activities they will enjoy, as well as, a big piñata for them to smash and grab toys and candies.

But the CBA is an organization devoted to our love for blues music, so you know we are going to have live music taking place. Five great regional bands will be on hand. Here are short bios of each:

12:00 – 1:00: Born in Corvallis, Brady Goss spent most of his childhood in a rural Eastern Oregon town of Wallowa listening to his father’s Jerry Lee Lewis records. For years to come, Brady taught himself the songs of Jerry Lee on the piano developing a similar style with a fireball of a right hand and that rhythmic, romping left hand. Brady has always been open to and capable of playing and understanding jazz, country, classic rock and especially blues. At 24, Brady Goss has his career, road savvy with thousands of hours performing live, Goss has honed a unique entertainment style and voice to enhance the very physical piano player and now guitar player. You’ll here covers from many different genres and styles that he makes his own and also legitimate original songs that become memorable rather quickly.

1:15 – 2:15: Bass virtuoso Ben Jones, the son of a jazz pianist and music educator, virtuoso six-string bassist Ben Jones was born and raised in Detroit helped him create the Motown soul sound. Since first hitting the road with legendary R&B songstress Anita Baker 20 years ago at the age of 18, Ben has shared the stage with artists as diverse as Julio Iglesias, Martha Reeves, Noel Pointer, Jeff Lorber, Robert Cray, Delbert McClinton, The Coasters, and Gino Vanelli, to name just a few.

2:30 – 3:30: Kenny Kofler and The Third Power are a new Blues-based variety group from Portland, comprised of Scott Van Dusen on percussion, Chris Hale on upright and electric bass, Eric Rabe on saxophone and Kenny Kofler on guitar, saxophone and vocals. Though the name is new, the players are all seasoned members of the Portland and Southern California music scenes who have come together to share an appreciation for unique, thoughtful takes on old standards, creative new original music and most importantly- a fun, groove-oriented show that will keep you dancing all night long and leave you wanting more!

3:45 – 4:45: BOLT UPRIGHT has been part of the Portland music scene for almost fifteen years. When drummer Ashbolt Stewart started a band with his wife Susie on bass, they played with several great area guitarist-vocalists over the years, including Lynn Axtell, Chad Rupp, Ken Brewer, and Scotty Bouck. Two years ago, they were lucky to have Lynn Axtell bring his instrumental and songwriting talents back to the band full-time. With all three members contributing their own material, it’s by far the most creative and original expression of the group. BOLT UPRIGHT just celebrated 3 years of hosting the award-winning Sunday Jam at Montavilla Station.

5:00 – 6:00: Sister Mercy is putting the “cool” in the heat of summer with a new brand of Rhythm and Blues. April Brown leads vocally in the style of Etta James and Eva Cassidy. From rocking new originals by Roger Espinor (drums) to classic blues licks from Steven Savoie (guitar), Sister Mercy will make you want to tap your toes and get movin’. The backbone of the band rests with Gary Giacci (bass) who provides strong rhythms along with Debby Espinor (keyboards) bringing years of experience to a new style of music. Kelsey Brown (background vocals) rounds out this powerhouse band that will soon be a household name in the blues circles in Portland and the Pacific Northwest.

We’re looking forward to seeing you all there!

John Hiatt & The Combo and The Taj Mahal Trio at the Oregon Zoo

hiatt mahal

 

On Friday, August 8th, the Oregon Zoo will offer one of the biggest twin bills of the summer happening in the Portland area as they welcome John Hiatt & The Combo paired with The Taj Mahal Trio.

Grammy winning singer/songwriter John Hiatt has been performing for more than thirty-five years and his music has been covered by artists as diverse as Bob Dylan, Bonnie Raitt, The Neville Brothers, Jeff Healey, Willie Nelson and Buddy Guy. A recipient of the American Music Association’s Lifetime Achievement for Songwriting, he is best-known for songs such as “Thing Called Love,” “Angel Eyes” and “Riding With The King.” The Los Angeles Times once stated, “(Hiatt) writes the funniest sad songs – and the saddest funny songs – of just about anybody alive.”

Composer, multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Taj Mahal is one of the most prominent and influential figures in late 20th century blues and roots music. Though his career began more than four decades ago with American blues, he has broadened his artistic scope over the years to include music representing virtually every corner of the world – west Africa, the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe, the Hawaiian islands and so much more. What ties it all together is his insatiable interest in musical discovery. Over the years, his passion and curiosity have led him around the world, and the resulting global perspective is reflected in his music today. A nine-time Grammy nominee and two-time winner, Taj Mahal always holds a gripping show every time he takes a stage.

Tickets for John Hiatt / Taj Mahal are available through www.ticketfly.com ranging from $29.50 to $59.50. Showtime is 7:00 pm. This is an all ages event. The Oregon Zoo is located at 4001 SW Canyon Lane.