34th Annual Cathedral Park Jazz Festival, July 18th – 20th

The Cathedral Park Jazz Festival celebrates its 34th year in 2014.This is the longest continuously running free jazz festival west of the Mississippi River. This year they will keep up with tradition by holding a Friday night blues show, followed by two days of jazz. This is a community event that truly does draw in the support of the St Johns neighborhood. Beautifully located in the shadows of the St Johns Bridge, with its cathedral-like arches spanning across the Willamette River, the park is nestled within 17.5 acres of green space perfectly situated for a family outing.

New this year to the festival is the management direction, now guided by the Jazz Society of Oregon. The 40-year-old non-profit organization with a mission to expand, enhance and support the Jazz music art-form throughout the Northwestern United States has high sights of ensuring the lasting viability of the festival and to bring sponsorship to financially make ends meet. The event is much beloved with the St Johns community, so many businesses, musicians and friends have helped by stepping to the plate to assist.

This year’s festival begins on Friday, July 18th at 5:00 pm for the annual blues night running until 10:00 pm. Saturday and Sunday will offer the finest in Portland’s jazz scene, starting both days at noon and running until 10:00 pm Saturday and 7:40 pm Sunday.

Friday, July 18th

5:00 -6:00 – Roosevelt High School
6:20 – 7:20 – DK Stewart & Soul Survivors
7:40 – 8:40 – Karen Lovely Band
9:00 -10:00 – Roseland Hunters

Saturday, July 19th

12:00 – 12:40 – Battleground High School
1:00 -2:00 – Lily Wilde Ochestra
2:30 – 3:30 – Tom Wakeling w/ Randy Porter, Alan Jones & David Evans
3:40 – 4:40 – Bobby Torres Latin All Stars
5:00 – 6:00 – Mel Brown Septet
6:20 – 7:20 – Chris Brown Quartet
7:40 -8:40 – Devin Phillips Quartet w/ Reggie Houston
9:00 -10:00 – Farnell Newton Funk

Sunday, July 20th

12:00 – 1:00 – Portland Youth Jazz Orchestra
1:20 – 2:20 – Art Abrahams’ Swing Machine
2:40 – 3:40 – Quadraphones
4:00 – 5:00 – Jeff Baker w/ George Cooligan, Audrea Niemic, Jason Palmer, David Valdez
5:20 – 6:20 – Nicole Glover Quartet
6:40 – 7:40 – King Louis Trio featuring Renato Caranto