April 2015 Bandstand

Lloyd Jones

Here’s some fun for everyone!

April 25, at Duff’s Garage—2530 NE 82nd Ave.—we’re bringing out the full band extravaganza with The Atlas Horns. For the first time this year, we’re in Portland for a Birthday Celebration with friends and guests of all kinds sitting in.

We will be showing off some new songs before the concert season takes us back out on the road again. We’ll be going up through Canada, then off to Denmark, Sweden and Norway in June and July. To find out more details please sign up to our email list on the website www.lloydjonesmusic.com.

Last year we partied in Reno as guests of the Reno Blues Society on my birthday. They were soooo kind and welcoming—we were honored and delighted. Giant thank you’s to The Reno Blues Society!

This year, I’ll be returning home from Hawaii and recommend festive garb. I mean push the envelope…do that thing you been wanting to do for so long but were waiting for the right time and place. When I say fun, I mean they will have to close Duff’s for two days to clean up the mess!

Remember, we had my 1,000th birthday at Duff’s a couple years ago, so I’ll be 1,029 this year…in dog years….“Treat Me Like The Dog I Am,” baby!

Lloyd Jones
“Groove Merchant”
www.lloydjonesmusic.com

Pin and The Horn-its

Hi to all of our “Old Friends” out there!

For those of you that don’t know,  Pin & The Horn-its was originally formed in 1986 by locals Larry Pindar, Mike Cross and British Blues pioneer Chris Mercer. The band started out as 9 pieces, was a mainstay of The Waterfront Blues Festival for the first decade as well as appearing at The Mount Hood Jazz Festival and The Rose Festival many times. In that period the band released a Cassette of the 9 piece called One Shot Deal in the late 80’s and later in the early 90’s the 10 piece released a CD entitled Stingin’ The Blues. After that the band just sort of faded away and co-leader/business manager Mike Cross moved to Pocatello, ID, to attend to family matters.

Mike’s back now for good and just like Jake and Elwood we got the old band back together! We ARE living the cliché!

This time we went even bigger, adding 4 more pieces from the original 9 to 13. We have added a permanent trombone player, John Gordon for a minimum of 6 horns.  I’m playing guitar and singing a few, as is Mike. We have added percussionist Vinnie Bargas and a female lead and background singer by the name of Holly Cole.  Of course our partner in crime and co-leader Chris Mercer is arranging and leading the horn section as our musical director.  John Granger, Rick Rier, Brad Ulrich, Mike Klobas are back and we welcome bassist Ed Coture, trumpet/flugelhornist Joe McCarthy, and “Hood” icon Leslie White on keys/organ and vocals.

We had the first concert debut of the “new” band at The Crystal Ballroom recently to a packed house at the Too Slim benefit and our “club” debut at The Lehrer March 5. Club dates already “on the books” are all at Duffs, all on Saturdays: April 18, May 23 and June 27th. Hope to see you all there!

Larry “pin” Pindar
PIN & THE HORN-ITS

LaRhonda Steele

In celebration of Easter weekend the Lake Theater & Cafe, (106 N State St., Lake Oswego,) will be featuring an evening of gospel music with LaRhonda Steele. Beginning with her first solo performance in church at the age of 13 and now as the choir director for the Portland Interfaith Gospel Choir, she is uniquely gifted to bring magic to such an event. For many years LaRhonda has been part of the Waterfront Blues Festival’s “The Old Time Gospel Hour” featuring Linda Hornbuckle and Janice Scroggins. For this special post-Easter Music Monday on April 6 she will call on some of her friends who were also often part of that memorable program including Arietta Ward, Nafisaria Scroggins, MaryEtta Callier, Ron Shoals, and Mary Tucker. This premier collection of gospel voices will be accompanied by husband Mark Steele on keyboards and Tyrone Hendrix on drums.

The Lake Theater offers a highly acclaimed dinner menu and full bar. The show starts at 7:00, doors open at 6:00, and all ages are welcome. Ticket price is $15 and they are available at the Lake Theater & Cafe website: http://laketheatercafe.com/#music-mondays

March Bandstand

Lisa Mann

March is going to be a busy month! It starts out Sunday, March 1, at Trails End Saloon with a benefit for my cousin, Aly, who’s still battling brain cancer. The last benefit helped the family get through several months of bills, but now it’s time to throw a big party and help them get through the next few months.

Then I’ll be out of town for the rest of the month. Ben Rice was kind enough to ask me to join him at Bonita Blues Fest in Florida, the first weekend of March. I had a gig scheduled at Tigardville Station, but Rae Gordon stepped forward and will be leading my troops into battle. That’s Saturday March 7–we’re calling it the No Mann’s Band, be sure to come out and support Rae and my bandmates.

Then the second week of March I’ll be in the Northeast doing a series of shows with vocalist/harp player Diane Blue, as well as guitar goddess Lydia Warren. We’ll be doing shows in Springfield, MA, Laconia, NH, Woonsocket, RI, and Newburyport, MA. If you have any pals in that region, let ’em know.

The third week of March, I join my husband, Allen, in NJ and NY to visit family (and eat bagels!) And then as soon as we come back, (10 lbs. heavier,) the band and I are packing the van and heading out for a mini-tour: Friday, March, 27, we’ll be at Sapolil Cellars in Walla Walla; Saturday, March, 28, we play the Couer D’Alene Blues Fest; and Monday, March, 30, we play in Boise at the Sapphire Room. Then the first week of April we head to San Fran, Santa Cruz, Sacramento, Guinda, and Upper Lake, California.

For details on all of these shows, please visit www.lisamannmusic.com. Thanks everyone for your support, and for joining the Blues Foundation to vote for me, (as well as Jimi Bott and Curtis Salgado,) in the Blues Music Awards. Keep heading out and supporting live music!

Lisa Mann

Tracey Fordice and the 8-Balls

Hello CBA Members, and those of you not currently a member but who should become a member.

This year has started out with a BANG for us. We traveled to Memphis and participated in the International Blues Challenge, representing the Ashland Blues Society. The trip proved to be a great one for many reasons. The amount of talent on Beale Street during the event is unbelievable, and we were only able to sample a small part of it, but what we experienced was incredible! The city of Memphis is full of rich musical history and much more, and we did find time to visit some of the historical sites, e.g., The National Civil Rights Museum at The Lorraine Motel (which we visited during the celebration on Martin Luther King Day), The Museum of American Soul Music at Stax Records, Graceland, and of course. Sun Studio. Walking on the streets of Memphis is truly an experience worth doing.

Although we did not advance beyond the quarterfinals in the IBC, we played our hearts out for two nights at The Rum Boogie Café and made many new friends from all over the country and around the world. This year the Pacific Northwest talent was also featured in a showcase at Club 152, so we performed there, along with all of the acts from Oregon and Washington. All in all, the experience was very positive and we enjoyed the opportunity to represent the Pacific Northwest in this great event.

Meanwhile, our CD project was placed on the back burner during all this bluesing and schmoozing, but since we have returned, the recording activity has gotten back into full swing. We are finishing tracks and adding some icing on the cake, thanks to some other local talent that will be putting their musical textures on our original material. We will be performing some of the new material at this month’s monthly membership meeting.

Our weekly Hot Jam at The Lehrer on Tuesdays has been going great, and the amount of musical talent that continues to show up regularly has been overwhelming. In the weeks to come we are stretching our show boundaries beyond the Portland Metro area and performing in venues throughout Oregon in Albany, Lincoln City, and Silverton, as well as in Vancouver, WA. We hope to see you out on the town!

Blues to you,
Tracey Fordice and the 8-Balls

James Clem

Hi friends,

Here is information on a very special event for me. On Saturday, March 28, I will be having a CD Release Party at Fleur De Lis Bakery & Cafe in the Hollywood District of NE Portland. The show starts at 7:30 pm and I am happy to say that Mary Flower will be sharing the bill with me. I am releasing two CD’s at once (a crazy idea in retrospect) and Mary played on several tracks. We even do a couple of vocal duets. One CD is a guitar oriented album with a mix of acoustic blues and Americana and the other is a swing/blues based ukulele recording. Both have a full acoustic band backing recorded live in the studio. An all analog recording by Ron Rogers. Musicians on the album include Ken West, Craig Snazelle, Johnnie Ward, Darka Dusty and more.

While the concert starts at 7:30 pm the cafe is offering a three course gourmet dinner at 6 pm prepared by master chef Craig Mistell. The meal includes appetizer, entree and dessert and the cost is $40 for the dinner, but that price includes the $10 cover charge for the show. Small plates will be available during the concert and they have a great beer and wine selection and a limited bar. Age 21 and over. The concert itself runs 7:30 to 10 pm with a $10 cover. Reservations for the dinner or concert are by email only (no phone reservations) to jennifer@fleurdelisbakery.com. Tickets are going fast so reserve early. Hope to see a lot of you out that evening. Should be a fun night.

Cheers,
James Clem
www.jamesclem.com

Soul Cookin’

Wednesday music at Blackwell’s, 1815 NE 41st Avenue, has been going for about four years now, with most covered by the combination of Lloyd Jones, Carlton Jackson, Dover Weinberg or Louis Pain, and David Kahl–also known as Soul Cookin’. It’s taken some work, but, thanks to the patience and commitment of owner Jan DeLorme, we’ve established a pretty consistent night of revelry and communion. Alas, however, there is some sad news–and some good news.

Drummer and vocalist extraordinaire, Carlton Jackson, is moving on. Carlton has brought a depth that encompasses more than just being a fantastic musician; his knowledge is diverse enough to qualify him as a Renaissance man and his influence will be certainly missed. A lot of the soul in Soul Cookin’ will go with him. We wish him nothing but the best, but we are graced to welcome a new preacher to the pulpit, another member to the congregation, and a sweet, sweet soul to share our musical communion.

Brian Foxworth, repeatedly described as a “force of nature”, now joins us. Brian is probably best known for his work with Curtis Salgado, but he’s been a key influence on too many notable bands to list. His drumming is impeccable and his voice is sweet as it gets. He is sure to take Wednesday nights into other directions, while holding to what has made them a delightful destination for many–just playing, in every sense of the word. Welcome to your new home, Brian. We are honored to have you.

While we’re at it, we’d like to acknowledge just a few of the people who have brought some measure of success to our little offering and who have made it something that we all look forward to every week. Of course, there’s the owner and staff of Blackwell’s. Musicians like Mitch Kashmar, Curtis Salgado, LaRhonda Steele, Arietta Ward, Dave Mathews, Randy Monroe, John Mazzocco, Les Hutchinson, and many more have helped to round things out. All of this, however, wouldn’t mean nearly as much without you, the audience. You make it all the more joyous. Thank you.

Blackwell’s is located in the heart of Hollywood, just across Sandy Blvd. from the Hollywood Theatre. They’ve got great food and drinks, a friendly staff, plenty of close parking, and convenient access to I-84. No cover ($5.00 minimum purchase). Music starts somewhere between 8:30 and 9:00 and runs until at least 11:30 pm.

Ben Rice & Lucy Hammond

Hey BluesBabies!

What an amazing time we had in Memphis for the 31st Annual International Blues Challenge! All the incredible Pacific Northwest blues artists truly showed Beale St. and beyond what a deep talent pool we have out here.

It was great to have the chance to attend the VIP party for Greg Johnson and Jenn Ocken’s Blues on Beale Street book release. So many IBC magic moments captured in its pages. Participating in the Pacific Northwest Showcase and the National Women In Blues Showcase was great. We had an absolute blast sharing the stage with CBA duo Pinsky & Newton. Having the opportunity to meet and make friends from all over the world and hear so much world class talent in one spot is what makes the IBC such a unique event.

Making it to the finals was surreal in the best possible way. Performing on the historic Orpheum Theater Stage truly is life altering. We’re so grateful for all the support we had along the way from so many of you back here at home. Thank you! It meant so much to feel like you were with us every step of the way.

Looking forward to a very busy festival season ahead. Glad to be joining many other great acts for the Winter Blues Festival to kick it off. Stay tuned to our website and social media sites for all our upcoming shows. See you soon!

Ben & Lucy 

Dean Mueller

Hello friends and blues fans! The Lake Theater & Cafe has kept me busy booking and promoting shows for Music Mondays. I have been fortunate enough to expand my horizons and be able to play with many of Monday nights’ excellent acts.

March is no exception as I will be joining Grant Dermody and Henry Cooper for a night of groove-based acoustic blues the first Monday of the month. Later in the month I have the honor of once again bringing the Julie Amici Trio to the theater. This will feature the beautifully talented Julie Yanko on vocals and myself on the big dog. Rounding out the trio will be the ever so tasty Dan Gildea on guitar. Dan joined us for the holiday showcase at the theater and we are excited to be performing with him again on March 16. There will be lots of other great shows at the Lake Theater every Monday, so check out the calendar and be sure to make it down to one of the best listening rooms anywhere.

Best,
Dean Mueller

Bandstand January 2015

Cascade Zydeco

Greetings Blues Friends,
On behalf of the board of Cascade Zydeco, Happy New Year! Cascade Zydeco is happy to be a new member of CBA. Like CBA, Cascade Zydeco is a non-profit 501(c) (3) and like CBA, entirely run by volunteers. Zydeco is the kissing cousin of the blues and our connections to the blues in the Portland Metro area run deep; we are there with you and other blues fans from all over the country every summer at the Portland Waterfront Blues Festival, filling the dance floor in front of the Front Porch Stage at the annual ‘Swamp Romp’ and the Cascade Zydeco booth (like CBA) greets hundreds of visitors from all over the country each year during the best party on the west coast! We have an exciting new partnership with Brad Lehrer and the Lehrer Pub; hosting two Sunday afternoon gigs with the Too Loose Zydeco/Cajun Band in November and December and like they say in Louisiana, everyone ‘passed a good time’! We invite blues fans to check out our weekly CD zydeco dance lessons and DJ dance parties and come around when we host a live band; next up is Curley Taylor and Zydeco Trouble at the Lehrer on Wednesday evening January 28. Check out our website at www.cascadezydeco.com and like us on Facebook!
Et toi!
Chere Weiss
Cascade Zydeco President

AC Porter
First things first: A shout out and big ‘Thank You!’ to Steve and Beverly at The Blue Diamond for keeping the music rolling SEVEN nights a week in a town with a bazillion musicians and only a handful or three of cool clubs out there bringin’ on the Blues!
So, on that flatted 5th note, I’m extremely happy and humbled to be hosting Blue Tuesdays there EVERY week!
I am so spoiled to get killer guest musicians I rarely if EVER get a chance to play with otherwise, and January is LOOKIN’ GOOD (as Magic Sam might say…)
On Tuesday 1/6, it’s my band, The LIVEWIRES kickin’ off the New Year. Then, 1/13 will feature the greasy, soulful Keys of DAVE FLESCHNER…1/20 has my very good friend KEVIN SELFE and I trading T-Bone Walker and Guitar Slim licks, and to round out the Cool Blues of January, 1/27 will feature a certain PETER DAMMANN schooling me on the fine art of playing matching Gibson ES-330’s on stage…
Now do y’all see why I’m so spoiled? Big thanks to all these fine musicians for saying ‘Yes’ when they coulda said otherwise! All shows are from 8:30 to 11:30pm, every Tuesday at The Blue Diamond, and NO COVER.
And one last-but-definitely-not-least thing— I know the ‘big’ party nights are the weekends, so head on down to HALIBUT’S on FRIDAY Jan. 23rd to listen to the LIVEWIRES doing our best to bring it, 8 to 11pm. See ya soon-
AC

Bill Rhoades & the Party Kings
If you didn’t get enough music on New Years Eve, we’ll be starting out 2015 with a bang. There’s a two night blues show at Duff’s Garage on January 2, and January 3, that will feature two of the biggest names in Portland Blues.
On Friday, Jan. 2, “the Italian Chainsaw” guitarist Jim Mesi will appear, backed up by Bill Rhoades & the Party Kings. Jim has been one of the main fixtures of Portland Blues for over 40+ years. Having played in Brown Sugar, Paul deLay Band and his own Jim Mesi Band, he has been recognized as one of the leading guitarists in the Northwest and has received accolades from B.B. King, Les Paul and many other worldwide. He has also received numerous awards and is known among his peers as “one of the Best guitarists out there!”
On Saturday, Jan. 3, “the Boogie Cat” guitarist/vocalist Norman Sylvester will appear backed up by Bill Rhoades & the Party Kings. Norman is another local Bluesman, who has been responsible for for the resurgence of Blues, R&B, Soul and Gospel in the Northwest. Norman is also an award winning musician and fronts one of the tightest units in the area. With his “Musical Family” Norman has spread the word of good sounds and many of the top players in the Northwest have been through his bands. An added bonus on this night will be the addition of Norman’s longtime Bassman Rob Shoemaker.
On both nights, Bill Rhoades & the Party Kings will be playing their own Northwest sounds plus backing up the two special guests. Bill Rhoades is an award winning harmonica player and vocalist. With Newell C Briggs (formerly of Curtis Salgado & the Stillettos, African Kings and many others) on guitar; Katy “May” Angel (Alan Hager Group) on bass; and Jolie Clausen (Norman Sylvester Band) on drums, it will be two nights of “The Real Thing” blues music. Blues Revue magazine called their first recording Don’t Lose Your Kool, the “ultimate party album!”
So, right after New Years Eve, Friday & Saturday Jan. 2 & 3, kick off 2015 the right way with some of the best the Northwest has to offer. 9:00 pm to 12:00 midnight both nights with a$10.00 cover. Live at Duff’s Garage, 2530 NE 82nd St, Portland. Two blues greats, Jim Mesi and Norman Sylvester with Bill Rhoades & the Party Kings.

Tracey Fordice and the 8-Balls
Hello Blues Lovers,
All we can say is look out Memphis! We are on our way, representing the Ashland Blues Society in the International Blues Challenge. This will be a new, exciting, and rewarding experience, and we are looking forward to have a great time, hearing great music, meeting many new and old friends and networking! Oh yeah, our guitarist, Randy Yearout, wrote a new tune for Tracey to sing which will be part of our IBC set. It’s called “Left Us in Memphis”.
Here’s the lyrics, hope you like it:

I wanna tell you all a story
About this band of mine
And how we flew out from the west coast
Multnomah County line
Now that our feet’s down here in Memphis
We’ll have a real good time

We play the music of Chicago
And Mississippi too
Marched in the Jazz of Louisiana
They got the Mojo Krewe
But now we’re standing here in Memphis
Playing the Blues for you

You know we love the streets of Portland
Although the skies are grey
When the sun shines in the Northwest
That’s where we love to play
But if they left us in Memphis
Well that would be ok

Our work continues on our CD project, slow but sure! We want it to be a worthy contribution to the Blues music that is currently being produced, so we are taking our time. We’ll have EP demos available in Memphis though, so if you see us there, ask for one!
In addition we are still playing gigs around town, some new venues for us (Byno’s in Vancouver & Halibut’s in North Portland), as well as many long standing venues. Be sure to join us at one or more this month. The HOT JAM at the Lehrer is drawing record numbers of super talented jammers! Be sure to come out and support this great jam, as the players that appear are some of the best around!
Finally, we also want to mention that Randy Yearout and Tracey Fordice are now engaged to be married!
Blues to you!
Tracey Fordice and the 8-Ball

Greg Johnson

For anybody who may be headed to the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, here is an event you may be interested in. My photographer friend Jenn Ocken from Baton Rouge, LA and myself have collaborated on a new book titled Blues on Beale Street, Memoirs of the International Blues Challenge. This book documents the growth of the IBC over the past decade through photos and stories as told by the musicians, volunteers, fans and staff themselves. On Thursday, January 22nd, we will be holding a special VIP party and book release at a venue to be determined, beginning at 2:00 pm. Tickets to the event are $30.00 or a pair for $50.00, but this does not include the book, but you will be able to purchase a copy there. The event will include a special performance by IBC winners Sean Carney and Jonn Del Toro Richardson. This will be the only location and time that you will be able to have your books signed by both Jenn and myself. Tickets for this event, copies of the book and many other special perks to help us cover the printing expenses are still available at documentingblues.com. 20% of all pre-sales will be donated to The Blues Foundation’s Generation Blues program offering scholarships and educational opportunities for kids to attend blues camps and workshops at many events around the country.

December Bandstand

Tracey Fordice and the 8-Balls

Hello Blues lovers,

We are so happy! Why, you ask? Because we were awarded the 2014 CBA Muddy Award for Best New Blues Act, that’s why! We are honored, and we know there are so many other great new acts that were in the running, so we are especially honored to be placed alongside them. In the end, only one act could win the award, but the other nominees are also winners in our mind, and so too the acts that were chosen in the first round ballots. The Blues scene in Portland (and throughout the NW) is over the top with talent, showmanship, creativity, originality, and professionalism. As we already mentioned, we are so honored! And, the Muddy Awards Event was well done this year too, so all the people involved deserve a big round of applause! Thank you CBA!

Keeping the Blues alive is our goal and the goal of any new Blues act. In doing so, we strive to do our best to present something new and fresh that is deeply rooted in the historical content and traditions of the Blues. This leads to our next accomplishment that took place this past month. We participated in the Ashland Blues Society’s competition for the International Blues Challenge (IBC) and we are proud to say we will be going to Memphis in January to compete there! We plan to have a good time, do our best to represent the NW Blues scene, and come back with a great new experience that is sure to enhance our goals and keep us moving (as a band) in the right direction!

In other news, we are still working hard on completing our new CD of original material. Although we have made some sacrifices in the schedule (to allow for other priorities), we anticipate having the CD completed before we get to Memphis!

Hope to see you out on the town somewhere soon. Blues to you!

Tracey Fordice and the 8-Balls

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James Clem

Lots of news this month. Looks like my new CD will finally be ready soon. This was recorded live in the studio at Ron Rogers all analogue studio. You can count on a CD release party or two.

I just got back from a trip to Europe where I played a couple of gigs and set up some more for next summer. I was invited back to headline a concert called the London Ukulele Cabaret. Somehow in the UK I got a pretty good following in the ukulele world after a uke video I did made their top 5 best uke videos of 2013 in a viewers poll. This caught me by surprise as it was up against people like Eddie Vedder and other rock stars that do uke videos so that falls into the “go figure” category. I also did a concert and workshop in Amsterdam, Holland while over there.

I am lucky to have made many friends in the blues world over in the UK. As an example, a player who has the largest collection of vintage National guitars in Europe always invites me over to his home near London to jam and we play a gig at a very cool sixteenth century pub near his home. I am in resophonic heaven at his pad! Not a bad way to travel.

Check out my new improved website if you get the chance and also keep me in mind for lessons. I give lessons in vintage acoustic blues (regular and slide) and the good ol’ ukulele as well. Keeps me off the street and really busy. Contact me through my website. Hope to see you around.

Cheers, James

www.jamesclem.com

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The Strange Tones

Season’s Greetings Everyone!

Many people have been asking us about our big Christmas show and when we’re doing it. We’re sorry to say, that for a couple of reasons we’ve decided not to do the show this year, but rather to bring it back bigger and better than ever in 2015. First there were scheduling conflicts that made it impossible for us to get the Hollywood Theatre on a weekend night. Also The Strange Tones have been called away overseas to play in Mexico right during the time that we normally schedule the Christmas show. That’s right, The Strange Tones will be playing some shows in Puerto Vallarta the first week of December! We’re bringing with us a plane full of blues and Crime-A-Billy fans to invade the city and help spread that crazy Portland sound!

And if you can’t make it to Puerto Vallarta with us, we are very excited about our big New Year Eve’s show at the new Duff’s Garage! It’s so nice to have all that extra space and seating and that great Duff’s vibe – it’s guaranteed we’ll have ourselves a wild good time! There will be special food and drinks, and a limited number of package deals with reservations. Go to www.duffsgarage.com or www.strangetones.com for details.

¡Hasta la vista!
The Strange Tones

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Ken DeRouchie

This time of year is always a time of giving, no matter what faith or what religion you hold dear, the holidays are a time of giving.

This year I wanted to do something for those less fortunate than I. I had thought about donating money from ticket sales but I wanted something more tangible. Something that, when a person donated it, that very thing would go to help someone in need.

The Portland Blues community has long had a big impact on those in need with the Oregon Food Bank’s Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival. I would like to add to that by having a month long opportunity for all of us to donate to those in need. So I’ve started the 1st annual Ken DeRouchie Band food drive for The Oregon Food Bank.

Starting on December 3rd you will be able to drop off non expired, non-perishable dried and canned food at Vie de Boheme. They are located on the corner of SE 7th and SE Clay, 1 block south of Hawthorne. Food can be dropped off between 4:00 PM and midnight, Tuesday through Saturday. Everything will be collected on Wednesday, December 31st and given to The Oregon Food Bank to help those in need. Please stop by and contribute. Our initial goal for this is 1000 Lbs. of food collected in December and we definitely need your help to do it!

IN ADDITION TO THIS…..
The Ken DeRouchie Band will be playing a special “Soulful Christmas” Show at Vie de Boheme on Saturday, December 20th. If you show up with 2 or more cans or packages of food to donate you will receive $2.00 off of the cover charge! You can help those in need AND have a fantastic Christmas party all at the same time.

Thanks,

Ken

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Norman Sylvester

Blast into 2015 with the Boogie Cat! New Year’s Eve will be a spectacular night of fun this year. Oregon Music Hall Of Fame member, and Muddy Award Lifetime Achievement winner, Norman Sylvester will perform at the Lehrer, the Muddy Award winner for best venue this year. For New Year’s Eve, the band will feature Norman’s daughter vocalist Lenanne (Sylvester) Miller, and perennial Muddy award winner Pete Moss on sax, along with keyboardist Jeff Otto and the rhythm section of Rob and Paul Shoemaker. Admission is $18 in advance or $20 at the door and includes champagne toast, party favors and a delicious late night buffet at 10:30pm included in price of admission. Advance tickets are available from www.tickettomato.com. Special discount room rates are available at the Beaverton Shilo Inn, just a stone’s throw away from the Lehrer. Please mention the Lerher when making reservations.  Party at the Lerher with Norman, stay overnight at the Shilo for the perfect New Year date night!  http://shiloinns.com

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Wingtips and Special Guests

Tuesday nights continue to happen at Duff’s Garage, 2530 N.E. 82nd Avenue, with Wingtips (or the Dover Weinberg Quartet, if you prefer) playing from 8:30 – 11:30pm. With Chris Carlson south for the winter, guitar duties are in rotation between some remarkable special guests.

First Tuesday will feature Alan Hager, a master of whatever blues style you can throw at him. The second week will have Muddy Award nominee Doug Rowell taking it in some unexpected directions. Third week duties are covered by the legend, himself, Steve Bradley. Surf, rock, swing, and even the theme from “Midnight Cowboy” – this one’s a whole different flavor. Fourth and fifth (if there is one) weeks are “Wild Cards”, with the likes of Terry Robb, Neil Grandstaff, Larry Pindar, and others that will round out your musical palate. This really is stuff you should savor, folks.

Dover Weinberg, for all you fans of his, is going to be around a lot through the winter, so this is a chance to say hi, get your picture taken with him, find out how many holes it take to fill the Albert Hall. When he’s out with Robert Cray, Ed Neumann has been more than covering for Dover – and he ain’t no slouch!

We’re hoping to see you on one or several of these nights. Big dance floor and a low volume band. Cover is only $3. Plenty of parking. The only thing that would make it better is your presence.

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Soul Cookin’

Lloyd Jones, Carlton Jackson, David Kahl, and Dover Weinberg (or Louis Pain or Steve Kerin), collectively known as Soul Cookin’, are having a blast on Wednesday nights at Blackwell’s, 1815 N.E. 41st Avenue, from 8:30-11:30pm. After three years, this one is finally getting some talk and some traction.

There’s not enough space to list the accomplishments and experience of any two of these band members, let alone the amazing talent that has come to share the space, if not the stage with these guys. Just ask anyone who’s been to any one Wednesday what they think and you’ll get all kinds of answers, but they’re all positive and enthusiastic. All we can offer is this: if you like it funky, greasy, swinging, strolling, shuffling, and relentless then you should be here.

On Christmas Eve, it will get even better. A very special guest will be featured. Ty Curtis will be coming up from Austin, Texas and will join us for an “Orphan’s Christmas Eve”. We’ll come together as family and make enough noise to be certain that Santa knows where to find us. Turkey and ham dinner specials will be featured. Needless to say, this will be a rare chance to see and hear Ty in Portland.

No cover, but there is a $5 purchase minimum. Blackwell’s is located across Sandy Boulevard from the historic Hollywood Theater.

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Rae Gordon

This last summer, a dream of mine for a long time came true, the honor to represent the Cascade Blues Association and Greater Portland in the International Blues Association, the annual contest that is held every year in. Memphis, Tennessee and highlights acts from all over the world. It is an exciting time for the musicians and the people who are lucky enough to be there during that time. At the Waterfront Blues Festival we were up against some amazing and talented acts that would have blown The IBCs away and are grateful for this opportunity.

If you haven’t been to this amazingly run event, it will be January 20 to 24th, 2015 and is well worth being in your upcoming vacation plans. There is nothing more cool then looking out at the audience and seeing Home.

In October, the music loving community from all the way down to Southern, Oregon and up to Seattle came to enjoy a benefit for our band to fund this trip. The Cascade Blues Cruise on the Portland Spirit highlighted acts and musicians who had previously been to Memphis for the CBA. Special heartfelt thanks to Lisa Mann and her band, Franco Palette and the Stingers and Ben Rice. In addition, special shout out to Joseph Conrad and Ed Pierce who were in Memphis with RGB in 2014 for the Rainy Day Blues Society.
In addition, the CBA, Greg Johnson, and all of the people who helped with the cruise and the people who boarded and enjoyed themselves and made our trip possible.Other things in the works for the Rae Gordon Band is a 2nd CD Dirty Flowers. Another collaboration of songwriting with Gaddis Cavenah.Thank you to all who helped fund $1000 towards it.Even though we didn’t make our fundraising goal and the release had to be pushed back, it has allowed us to take more time to develop it more and look forward to releases it sometime in spring, which is poetic given the name of the title track!

Upcoming gigs include Merry at Mak’s, a Christmas celebration of soul featuring RGB with Louis Pain, Lloyd Jones, LaRhonda Steele, Gaddis Cavenah, Federico Pol, Edwin Coleman III and Renato Caranto. New Year’s Eve. finds us at the Home of the Blues Trails End Saloon and the new year brings back the 1st Sunday gospel show at The Trails, a Beale street and Birthday Bash and send off at the Lehrer Jan 18th and RGB in Memphis competing to bring back the blues gold to All of you!
Thank you for all you support of RGB, CBA and live music.

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Oregon Trail Restaurant and Bar

The famous End of the Oregon Trail brought families to the area by foot, horseback and wagon looking for a place they could feel at home and after miles of hardship; they knew they had found it.  The Trails End Saloon sits in the middle of this historic location on Main Street and is now continuing the tradition of attracting visitors who arrive and exclaim “this is it!” with new owners.  A long beloved business occupying a building that is the last of its kind, it is well known for being an important part of city and music history

New owners Mark and Linda Temple, along with daughter Katie are breathing new life with an open armed approach that is already evident in repeat business. “The Trails” has long been a favorite of not only local residents, but patrons from all over, who have moved away, but continue to make it a stop however far their travels take them.

As a Music Venue, the Trails End Saloon has had national acts grace its stage like Curtis Salgado, Maria Muldaur, Savoy Brown featuring Kim Simmonds.  Many local Blues Artists also occupy the stage regularly and the blues jams are renowned, attracting people from all over the US when in town, and has been the beginning of successful band partnerships.  The Trails End has won eight Muddy Awards from the Cascade Blues Association for Best Blues Venue over the years.  In addition, the Trails End Saloon has long been known for opening its doors to benefits such as the Shriner’s Toy Run, Cody Myers benefit, Villages NW, Water Trout benefit, a Hurricane Katrina benefit, and the Doernbecher Childrens benefit.

A structure of historical significance on the corner of 14th & Main Streets in Oregon City , it is the last square nailed, wooden frame, lap sided structure left downtown.   It was the first grocery store, built circa 1880-1885 as Freytags Grocery.  Like its counterparts in Portland, it too has its folklore side.   Underneath the Saloon is an old tunnel that was used to transport freight brought up and down river by sternwheelers. An underground entrance led from the building, under the parking lot and down to the nearby Willamette River. Local folklore describes “other” uses for the tunnels in the old days, best left to the imagination. The current building still offers nostalgic charm such as a dimly lit dark wood bar, ceiling fans run by a conveyor system, and original wagon wheels.  To this day, it is also a popular spot for those looking for paranormal activity.

In 1905, the building was the site of a major fire, but was rebuilt into what you see today.  1910, it had another life again as a grocery Store called McAnulty’s.   It was a Chinese Food restaurant in the 40s and during the Korean War years, it was “Pat’s Inn”.  In 1972, the Holladay’s took over and called it The Spotted Skunk and did remodeling that included false ceilings and covered windows, then changed the name to Doc Holladay’s, which is well known and mentioned to this day.  In 1992, the Montjoys took over, did restoration and renamed it Trails End Saloon.  The Synders purchased it in 1997.  In 2013, Eric Hallingstad purchased it, did renovations that included uncovering long forgotten windows, did some major remodeling.   New owners Mark, Linda and Katie have taken over where he left off, providing quality food and top rate entertainment.

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Dean Mueller and Julie Amici

Happy Holidays everyone, with Julie quitting her wine bar gig at the coast we are looking forward to the free evenings and much more performing in 2015. We are very fortunate to have had Chris Carlson and Alan Hager fill the third spot in the “trio” and look forward to playing with them more this year. You can expect us to mix it up a bit more this coming year starting with a VSOP (Very Special Onetime Performance) Showcase on Dec 22nd at the Lake Theater. This show will feature Dean Mueller, Dave
Fleshner, and Dan Gildea backing a diverse group of singers including LaRhonda Steele, Mary Kadderly, Julie Yanko, and our special guest Curtis Salgado. The combination of a stellar backup band along with the diverse styles of the vocalist will make this a Very Special Onetime Performance indeed, we can’t wait! Dean is also looking forward to playing with some more greats at the Lake Theater including Lloyd Jones, Kevin Selfe, Mitch Kashmar, and Terry Robb. If you have not yet checked out these Monday night
shows please give it a shot, the acoustics and the setting are ideal and you really get to hear, and see the musicians shine. Thanks much for your support as we get things ramped up and we look forward to seeing you much more in 2015!

Best, Dean & Julie

Bandstand – November

The Randy Oxford Band

Hello CBA friends,

We are thrilled to once again be nominated for the prestigious Muddy Award in the Category of ‘Regional Act”. We feel a strong connection with our Oregon friends, having performed in the region for over 11 years now. We will be returning in December for a couple of shows in the area at both Duff’s garage and the Birk. We hope to see you all out as we continue to celebrate our new CD….”it feels good”….

Thank you all for your continued support of The Randy Oxford Band….it feels good….

www.therandyoxfordband.com

Norman Sylvester

“Blues Stains, An Evening with The Blues” at Jimmy Mak’s, featuring the forever young Norman Sylvester, and young blues lion Tevis Hodge, Jr. is set for friday night November 7. Blues Stains is a tribute to American blues old and new and it’s contribution to the foundation of music around the world. The Norman Sylvester Band and Tevis Hodge Jr. will be paying their respects to the pioneers of the blues. They will also be playing in loving memory of Janice Scroggins and Linda Hornbuckle. The event will support the Music Education Scholarship in Janice’s name, as Janice spent her career teaching and mentoring many young musicians in Oregon.

Guitarist and singer Tevis has been building an impressive resume in recent years, having performed with Peter Yarrow, Ural Thomas, Baby Gramps, Joe McMurrian and many more. Tevis has represented the CBA in the International Blues Challenge in Memphis Tennessee, has performed at the Portland Waterfront Blues Festival the last several years, recently opened for Living Color at the Aladdin and can be heard regularly at the Laurelthirst Public House, Muddy Rudder, Slim’s, Mock Crest, the Birk and many other local venues. Born into a music loving family in Virginia, Tevis has explored his African-American musical roots deeply and despite his young age can be considered one of Portland’s foremost blues musicologists, with a large and ever expanding collection of 78 rpm disks. His repertoire contains songs by the likes of Charley Patton and Robert Johnson, and he writes much of his own material in the same idiom. His readings of 100 year old delta tunes are true to the originals without sounding like dusty museum pieces, and his own compositions display a timelessness that assures that they will stay around for generations, too.

Norman Sylvester needs no introduction to Bluesnotes readers. At age 69 his long career as a bluesman is still on the rise. Norman’s work has been recognized as a member of the Oregon Music Hall of Fame, and as a recipient of the Cascade Blues Association Muddy award for lifetime achievement. Besides his role as an entertainer, for many years Norman has brought blues music into the region’s schools at every level from kindergarden to college, and for the last several years he has been an artist-in-residence at Portland’s Irvington School, where he instructs the students about the musical heritage of the blues. He also leads them into setting their own experiences to music, weaving social studies, English and music together, resulting in a recording of all their songs on a compact disc.

Last year he celebrated the 30th anniversary of his current band at Jimmy Mak’s, and for this November 7th show he will be showcasing more of his originals both old and new, concentrating on the songs which were shaped most by Janice’s input. This will be the deluxe version of the Norman Sylvester Band complete with female vocalists “Sweet Thangz 2014”. Expect a collaboration between Norman and Tevis, too.

Jimmy Mak’s is located at 221 NW 10th Ave. between Davis and Everett. Doors open at 5:00, music begins at 8 p.m, one long show until J.D. turns on the lights and chases us off the stage. Advance tickets are available at www.tickettomato.com for $12 reserved, $10 general admission. Day of the show walk-up general admission $12. Reserved seating tickets provide guaranteed seating, and are available only with dinner reservations.  Dinner reservations can be made by calling Jimmy Mak’s at (503) 295-6542.  www.jimmymak’s.com

www.normansylvester.com

Blind Wolf

Hello CBA Membership! Got a new band to tell you about. Since the disbanding of Boogie Bone last year we have been working on an original record and putting together a live act worthy of your attention (hopefully). Blind Wolf includes: Oregon Music Hall of Fame multi-instrumentalist Steve Snyder, Stevie Dee Williams on guitar, Carl Falls on bass, Randy Herbert on drums and introducing Kit Carlsen as lead vocalist. We lean on many of the elements from our collective past to define sound: multi-genre inspiration, high energy, and large doses of fun.

Well, too much rehearsal and no play makes the wolf a dull boy so: “It’s Time to Play!” We would be honored if you joined our party at The Home of the Blues: Trails End Saloon on November 1st. Come hear music you have not heard before, some new twists on tunes you have, and a few that we never play the same way twice. Dancing attire is recommended.

We promise not to color between the lines…

Cheers!

Blind Wolf

blindwolfband.com

facebook.com/blindwolfpdx

A.C. Porter

SOMETHING NEW for The blusiest day of the week, TUESDAY! Starting in November, I am very pleased to announce: EVERY TUESDAY NIGHT at the BLUE DIAMOND— AC’s Blues Drifters… A rotating cast of great local players, sittin’ in, cuttin’ heads, swapping lies, and laying down the grooves that are begging  to get laid down! 8:30pm to 11:30pm EVERY Tuesday! We start 11/4 with the LIVEWIRES, with Whit Draper, Federico Pol, Johnny Moore, and myself, then 11/11 Stu Kinzel will join me! And on 11/18, my good buddy Robbie Laws will show me a thing or two, and for 11/25, Cool Head Ed Neumann lights up the keys i! We are gonna Mix and Match, folks! No Cover, and this will NOT be an open jam session— but you will get to see a lot of killer local musicians playing together that you rarely, if ever get to see! So add another night of live blues to your weekly dosage! See you at The Blue Diamond.

Greg Johnson, CBA President

Pre-Sales orders are now available for Blues on Beale Street, Memoirs of the International Blues Challenge through the DocumentingBlues.com website. This table-top styled book will feature photos taken by Baton Rouge photographer Jenn Ocken over the past ten plus years at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee. Her images capture the artists on stage and behind the scenes, as well as the fans, volunteers, Blues Foundation staff and all that make up the blues family that is the International Blues Challenge. Collaborating with Greg Johnson of Portland, Oregon, who has written the narrative for this project and compiled the memoirs of more than 80 musicians and individuals, this is not a chronological series of who won each year, but focuses on the life changing moments, the personal memories and stories, emphasizing the emotional aspects, why attendees return every year and the impact the event has on the blues community. If you’ve been to the International Blues Challenge, this book will bring back fond memories. For those who have never been, it just may spark an interest where you too may want to make the trip to Memphis.

Lauren Sheehan

Hi blues fans.

I’ve been playing out to town so much that it’s been a while since I’ve done an acoustic concert with pristine acoustics here in Portland.  I am super excited to have a great concert coming up November  17, in the cool early Monday night series at the Lake Theater and Cafe in Lake Oswego and thought I’d fill you in on what’s been going on with me lately.   My website has a recent news section with details, new video clips, past newsletters and photos, probably more than you want to know—Laurensheehanmusic.com.

The upcoming concert will feature folk blues from my two recent CDs, both of which soared to the tops of the folk charts and one was in the top 10 CDs for 2012, #8 for the year!   (Thanks for all that airplay, dis!)  My last project, The Light Still Burns, was part of a feature story on both npr and BBC, and highlights old country blues, Gibson WWII Banner guitars and the story of the women who made them.  Yes, women kept that factory going during war time and only recently have been recognized for doing so.

I’’ll have several old vintage guitars on stage for the November show,  treating you to the delicious soundscape of these great instruments as they ring out old blues and pre-blues, songs that were being played at the time the instruments were made.

If you have a vintage guitar, especially a Gibson, that you would like me to play, just send me an email and let’s make it work!  Send an email to Lauren@laurensheehanmusic.com.

See you soon,

lauren
Laurensheehanmusic.com

 

Mt. Hood Jazz Festival Presents – Jazz In Schools and Round Robin

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JAZZ IN SCHOOLS

What: Jazz clinics for teachers and students of jazz, with Chris Brown (drums), John Nastos (saxophone), Susie Jones(saxophone), Kenney Polson(saxophone), Stan Bock(trombone),

When: October 10, 2014, 10:00am-2:30pm

Where: David Douglas HS Horner Performing Arts Center, 1400 SE 130th, Portland, OR

Who: Music teachers, music students if accompanied by music teacher, and general public

Admission: Free!

ROUND ROBIN

What: Live jazz in Historic Downtown Gresham

When: October 10, 2014

Admission: Free!

SCHEDULE FOR ROUND ROBIN:

Chris Brown Quartet @ Spinellas Restaurant, 436 N. Main, Gresham, 7:30-8:30, 9:00-10:00pm

Dan Balmer and Go By Train @ Hoppy Brewer, 328 N. Main, Gresham, 7:30-8:30, 9:00-10:00pm

Paul Mazzio Quartet, @ Ulys Taco Bar, 124 NE 3rd, Gresham, 6:00-7:00, 7:30-8:30pm

Tom Wakeling/Randy Porter Duo @ Boccellis Ristorante, 246 N. Main, Gresham, 6:00-7:00, 7:30-8:30pm

Bandstand

Greg Johnson, CBA President

Coming in January, Blues On Beale Street, Memoirs of the International Blues Challenge, a photo book accompanied by a series of written experiences, short stories, song lyrics, and quotes by the vast variety of attendees of the International Blues Challenge, expressing their personal experiences while attending and competing at the event.

Baton Rouge-based Jenn Ocken started photographing the International Blues Challenge on its 20th anniversary, at a time when significant changes were beginning to happen. The growing number of fans attending and the increasing number of acts competing created the need for The Blues Foundation to re-organize the competition, finding the need to move from the small clubs on Beale Street to the grand Orpheum Theater for the finals. And Jenn found herself documenting something bigger than she could ever have imagined with her camera.

Collaborating with Greg Johnson of Portland, Oregon for this project, this memoir is not a chronological series of who won each year. But it focuses on the life changing moments, the personal memories and stories, emphasizing the emotional aspects, why attendees return every year and the impact the event has on the blues community.

“Over the years, I have come to realize that as a community, we make up a large extended blues family,” Jenn states. “As we reunite, we’re constantly sharing amazing experiences. As a result, Greg and I were inspired to create a photo book filled with emotionally rich images and personal experiences that make this event unique.”

“With this memoir, I’m archiving the changes, the relationships between the IBC goers, and the amazing stories told by those who experienced them. My photographs illuminate the true essences of attending the event. Greg’s words allow us to flow through the variety of personal experiences and memories of the people who make up the IBC.”

Pre-Orders available now at DocumentingBlues.com

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Tom Royer

Long time Portland musician Tom Royer is in dire need of a lung transplant. Tracy Turner-Pain from Soul Sisters Productions has put together a fundraising effort to help raise funds for Tom. You can help by donating at http://www.gofundme.com/efjsrg. Please keep on eye on this site for an upcoming benefit concert for Tom Royer as well.

Bandstand September 2014

Robbie Laws

Wow, it’s been a wonderful, busy summer! I just returned from a trip to beautiful Libby, Montana and performed at the scenic Riverfront Blues Festival with the incomparable Ed Neumann and my little blues sister from Seattle, Suze Sims. What a great time I had playing with these two.

September holds some noteworthy shows starting with a performance with Lisa Mann at Macadams on September 12th. The following evening I will be headlining the two day Grapes, Grains and Blues Festival in Longview, WA on the evening of Saturday, September 13th.

I’m also really excited about reuniting with my old pal Kenny ‘Blue’ Ray for a super fun double header show at Duff’s Garage on Friday, September 19th. This is sure to be a serious string pullin’, blues slingin’ extravaganza featuring the great Jim Wallace on harmonica. Kenny was a guest artist on my 1995 award winning album ‘Takin’ the Night Train’. His lineage goes way back to Texas where he spent plenty of time with the Vaughan brothers and many more notable players. He later moved to California and played with Little Charlie as well as ‘The Boogie Man’ the great John Lee Hooker. Kenny is bonafide blues royalty and exhibits a blend of real Texas blues at the highest level. I’m really looking forward to this special night and I hope you can all make it out.

As usual, I continue to teach guitar lessons as my ‘day job’, so if you’re looking to learn or improve your playing, I’m here to deliver.

Thank you for supporting live music!

All the best.

Robbie Laws

RobbieLawsMusic.com

Ashbolt Stewart

Hello! I’d like to announce that I’m having a combination CD Release/65th Birthday Bash on Saturday, October 11th, at Montavilla Station from 9pm till 1 am. I recorded my first headliner CD this past spring with some killer blues friends (including Kid Andersen, Terry Hiatt, Steve Ehrmann, Aki Kumar & Johnny Cat, and others) in San Jose Ca. It contains 17 tunes that I sing and play on, including half originals and half covers. It’s called Beats Workin’ and commemorates my playing drums professionally for the past 50 years. Wow! Please join me in this joyous celebration. Mark Oct. 11th on your datebook please.

Jimi Bott

3 great shows at the Birk:

  • Sept 21st-The Stein Haus Reunion  featuring Jim Wallace, Franck Goldwasser, Jimi Bott and John Neish.
  • Sept 27th- Mitch Kashmar and friends with Jimi Bott
  • Oct 18th- Suburban Slim, Jim Wallace, John Neish and Jimi Bott

And a great idea for transportation to the Birk:

Ride to and from the show in style, safe and sound, on the COOL BUS. Operated by driver Joe Keating.  You will be driven from Portland to The Birk, and back, for a fee at a designated pick up/drop off location. Enjoy a night out at this great new music venue without having to worry about drinking and driving. Please contact me at  jimibott@yahoo.com to reserve your spot and for more details. Thanks and kind regards!

Jimi Bott

Lil’ Queenie

Lil’ Queenie, Portland’s newest band makes its’ Portland Night Club debut at Duff’s Garage on July 5, 2014. Although the newest band, cumulatively the members have just over 300 years of Portland Music Scene experience. Featuring two female vocalists, up and coming Blues chanteuse, Melissa Buchanan & Linda LeClair, the band recreates the feel of the early days of R & B in the Juke Joints in the heartland of the country. Bolstered by a four piece horn section that includes Paul deLay Band alumnus Danny Fincher and centered by two time Oregon Rock & Roll Hall of Fame member Steve Bradley on guitar, the band plays an entertaining mix of Memphis Rhythm, Detroit Soul, Roots Rock & Good Ole Blues ! Whether your pleasure is to sit and listen to great players or dance the night away, Duff’s Garage on July 5th  is a must for your calendar. Come early and stay late, most of all, enjoy the show !

February 2014 Bandstand

Franco and The Stingers

Hey Everybody,

Good seeing you again. Just wanted to say hello, and thank you for your support…The band, in case you didn’t know, has been picked up by Road Dawg Touring, and will be spending much of the coming year on the road, which means that we won’t be playing very often here in Portland in the coming year.
It’s a big step for the band, and we’re looking forward to seeing the country and promoting our cd’s, “I Like It Just Like That” and “Can’t Kick Love”….Our only local dates this month are the Sweethearts Dance at The Lehrer on, Saturday, Feb. 15th , and The Trail’s End Saloon on, Friday, Feb. 21st…Hope you will continue to support our local gigs.
Hope 2014 continues to be good for you! And remember to……
“CATCH A BLUES BUZZ!!!”

franco
francopalettaandthestingers.com

The Norman Sylvester Band

The Boogie Cat wishes all of you Blues Lovers Happy New Year!

The Norman Sylvester Band celebrated their 30 year Anniversary in 2013! We have had so many amazing players over the years join the band, our success has definitely been a “family affair”.

I am blessed to live in a town so rich with great musical talent! Our newest album: “Blues Stains on my Hands” is getting national air play and favorable reviews in Living Blues, and Blues Music Magazine, both for the recording and our original song writing. Keep your fingers crossed that we can reach past the Northwest… kids are grown, so we’re ready to travel.

Thank you to the CBA Members for honoring me with the Paul Delay “Life Time Achievement” Muddy award. It was quite a nice surprise.

Come out and party with the band soon and support venues that book live music: the Birk, Blue Diamond, Clyde’s, Finnegan’s, Gemini, Halibut’s, Jimmy Mac’s, Lehrer, the Lodge, Mac’s Place, the M & M, Roadhouse 101, Rogue Pub, Spare Room, Tillicum, and Trails End to name a few. Save the date also, for the 3rd Annual Inner City Blues Festival “Healing the Healthcare Blues” on April 5th at the Melody Ballroom!

Check our website to find the Norman Sylvester band www.normansylvester.com

See you on the scene in 2014~ MEOW! MEOW!

Jesse Samsel

Hello Family , Friends and Fans of live music !!! I am writing this on my iphone on the road so forgive my grammar and spelling … Cary Samsel , Nate Powell , Tom Katt and my Guitar Tech Dan Curtis and I all would like to thank you so much for inviting us to play the monthly meeting

In Jan. … We had a wonderful time hanging out and seeing old friends and making new ones … We had planned more of a show for you all but with mom passing, the holidays all of a sudden upon us and then the damn flu we decided to strip it down and just Rock … It worked for us and you all, it was truly a blast !!! We are preparing to start touring in April with dates up here in the northwest before we head back east for the summer … We are digging into some old albums and plan on surprising Terry with a few numbers we haven’t done in years … Terryevansmusic.com will have all the tour dates … In the meantime I am gigging steadily now with my loopers … Check out Jessesamsel.com and my Facebook posts for my local dates … I had promised everybody at the meeting  I would make sure to post on Facebook as much as possible and use this column that the CBA has for us ,  so here ya go lol … Take care and I will look forward to seeing u guys soon … All my best to each of you , Jesse