Entries by Wendy Schumer

The Randy Oxford Band

It Feels Good
Figgleblall Records

 Randy Oxford Band CD coverEvery time I turn around it seems that Randy Oxford has a handful of new players in his band and the funny thing about it all is they keep sounding more impressive every time out. This new band features Randy on trombone of course, and the incredible Amy Jada is back on vocals, but stellar guitar players Randy Norris and Manuel Morais add their own unique blends, Richard Sabol is his animal self tearing up the drums, and they’ve enlisted the energetic Polly O’Keary, formerly of Too Slim & The Taildraggers, to fill in with …

Last Chance To Help Rae Gordon With IBC – Jan. 17th

Gordon & Cavenah Duo (photo by Kat Rose Photography)The Rae Gordon Band, representing the Rainy Day Blues Society at the International Blues Challenge this month, will be holding one last fundraising event before making the trek to Tennessee. Taking place on Friday, January 17th for a 9:00 pm show at The Trails End Saloon, 1320 Main Street in Oregon City. Not only is this your chance to give Rae and the guys a hand, it is also Rae’s birthday. So there is double reason to make it to this show. And you know that Rae is always a sensational performer.

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Ramblings On My Mind – Dec 2013

ramblings201306BNGreg Johnson / CBA President

This month I thought I would do something different with this column. I was contacted once again this year by Eric Steiner, the President of the Washington Blues Society, and asked if I could give them a top ten list for blues recordings of 2013. Always a difficult decision because there are so many that always stand out. But I did break it down to the ten that I believe I kept coming back to over and over again throughout the year and still play consistently. There are a lot that could’ve or maybe should’ve …

A New Album & Tour Brings Jonny Lang Back To The Roseland – Jan. 19th

Jonny Lang press photoIt has been seven years since Jonny Lang has last released a studio album. Titled Fight For My Soul, it follows up where his 2006 Grammy Award winning disc Turn Around left off. And with the new recording a massive tour across the country has been lined up with Lang making a return appearance in Portland at The Roseland Theater on Sunday, January 19th. For the past sixteen years, since his debut album Lie To Me first brought attention onto the then 16-year-old musician, Lang has built a strong reputation as a dynamic performer and stellar guitarist that …

Changed Meeting Dates For January & February

Well, we do not typically anticipate having to make some small changes now and then, but sometimes we just cannot help it. Please make note that our monthly membership meetings in both January and February will not be taking place on the first Wednesday of the month.

The first Wednesday in January falls on the New Years Day holiday and, like most people, the staff at The Melody Ballroom would likely enjoy spending it with their families, so we will be holding our meeting the following week on Wednesday, January 8th.

In February, we will be holding the …

Canadian Blues Hero Matt Andersen To Make Portland Debut- Jan. 24th

Matt Andersen - photo by Greg JohnsonMatt Andersen may not be the most recognized performer hailing from Canada, but he certainly belongs among those who deserve the attention. Hailing from Perth-Andover, New Brunswick, this will be Andersen’s first appearance in Portland when he takes the stage at Mississippi Studios on Friday, January 24th. His narrative-driven writing cuts through the soul, blending blues and folk, encompassed in total honesty. He takes listeners on a ride with his diverse musical styles, skilled guitar work and over-the-top showmanship. Matt’s intimate, high-energy performances have captivated audiences across the world, from Canada, to the US, to Australia and the …

Mark Hummel’s Harmonica Blowout Pays Tribute To Sonny Boy Williamson – Jan. 19th

Mark Hummel - press photoMark Hummel, well known as one of the most amazing harmonica masters on the blues circuit today, has been presenting his acclaimed Harmonica Blowout showcases since 1991. Over that time he has brought with him a virtual who’s who of the finest harp players to be found and his most current West Coast tour is shaping up to be one of the best. His latest recording titled Remembering Little Walter that offers live tracks from a recent California Blowout tour has been nominated for two 2014 Blues Music Awards including Album of the Year. And as that last tour featured …

Micah Kesselring

Log Cabin Blues
Self Produced

 

Micah Kesselring CD coverMicah Kesselring started playing guitar when he was nine years old and decided that the blues was his music of choice at fourteen. Now at the ripe old age of twenty, he has firmly ensconced himself into the Ohio blues scene, and has made an impression on many across the  country with his performances. Kesselring has competed in …

Dave Keller

Soul Changes
Tastee Tone

Dave Keller CD coverFollowing up on his sensational 2011 release Where I‘m Coming From that garnered recognition with being named the Best Self-Produced CD of the year by The Blues Foundation, Dave Keller wasted no time in putting together another stellar recording with Soul Changes. Recorded in both Memphis and in Brooklyn, this disc places Keller amongst the top in the business …