Cascade Blues Note Archives - Page 10 of 12 - Cascade Blues Association Archive

Waterfront Blues Festival Hosts The CBA’s Journey To Memphis Finals, Rae Gordon Band Declared Winners

Cascade Blues Announcement, Cascade Blues Note, Journey to Memphis

The Cascade Blues Association held the finals for the 15^th annual Journey To Memphis competition on July 4^th at the Waterfront Blues Festival. Four finalists selected by our judges scoring at the first round held at The Lehrer in early June, faced off against one another in the hot summer afternoon before three new judges. This year’s overall competition was without doubt one of the strongest fields ever, top to bottom. Covering a wide diversity of blues styles, twelve acts started out and four remained at the Festival.

David Pinsky and Phil Newton (use this shot with J2M article) - photo by Greg Johnson

David Pinsky & Phil Newton – photo by Greg Johnson

One of the three was a solo/duo act, David Pinsky & Phil Newton. They had already earned the right to travel to Memphis to represent the CBA at The Blues Foundation’s International Blues Challenge in January. We still had to decide on a band amongst the three remaining acts. Why were David and Phil involved then? They were competing for the overall prize money to help them get to Memphis. If they scored higher than the bands they would be awarded the grand prize.

The other three acts included two bands that made it to Memphis in 2014 for the IBC, Rae Gordon who made the semi-finals back East representing the Rainy Day Blues Society of Eugene, and Ben Rice & The iLLamatics who went for the CBA and made it all the way to the finals. The newcomers were Salem’s Still Water Vibes, a fiery new band with sensational vocals from Nick Wixom. All three acts, along with David and Phil, turned in knock-out performances, all worthy of taking home the prize.

But it was all up to the scoring of the judges. And we had three of the best judges you could ask for, all on the same level as those judges used in Memphis at the IBC finals themselves. Music writer and editor Stacy Jeffress from Topeka, Kansas; Delta Groove recording artist from Australia Kara Grainger; and Delta Groove artist and past IBC second place winner Sugaray Rayford. Each scored the competitors on five categories: blues content, originality, vocals, instrumentation and overall stage presence.

Rae Gordon – photo by Tony Kutter

A tough call to make, but in the end it was the Rae Gordon Band coming out on top. Aside from the prize money and the right to represent the CBA in Memphis this coming January, the band will also open the Muddy Awards show this coming November and will have a guaranteed paid set at next year’s Waterfront Blues Festival.

Congratulations and good luck!

What’s on Tap for August’s General Membership Meeting . . .

Cascade Blues Note, General Meetings

Melody Ballroom, 615 SE Alder St., Portland

Wednesday, August 6^th, 7:00 pm

Members always Free – Non-members $3.00

Opening Acoustic Set – Root Cellar

Second Electric Set – Gabriel Cox

August’s Cascade Blues Association’s General Membership Meeting is going to be quite exciting. We will be presenting two acts at completely different takes on the blues. One taking on the earliest patterns of the music and the second the new rootsy rock direction that crosses over genres.

Lowell J Mitchell - courtesy Lowell J Mitchell (to use with meeting article)

Lowell J. Mitchell of Root Cellar – photo courtesy Lowell J. Mitchell

Root Cellar is an authentic jug band that recalls the times when such bands played on street corners and parks throughout the South. Root Cellar is made up of some of Portland’s most renowned acoustic musicians, all deeply inspired by the sounds of jug and string bands.

The group is led by guitarist/vocalist Lowell J. Mitchell, who brings a grass-roots jug-band sensibility to an upbeat blend of rock, blues, rockabilly, soul, island and gospel flavors. He has studied with Quicksilver Messenger Service’s John Cippolina, The Holy Modal Rounders’ Steve Weber and Baby Gramps amongst others. He has also recorded with local musicians such as Billy Kennedy, Bazza, Heavy Petting Zoo and The Four Dudes.

Also on guitar/vocals is Walter Cryderman who also plays banjo and mandolin and works with numerous bands around Portland including Jamie Leopold & The Short Stories, The New Iberians, The Eagle Ridin’ Papas and Bayou Cadillac to name but a few. Harmonica master Aaron Lowe is a respected songwriter and has also played with Jaime Leopold & The Short Stories, Dawn & The Dents and The New Skillet Liquors. Washtub bass and washboardplayer Giued Lutge rounds out the band with another fine collection of outfits that she has worked with, including The How Long Jug Band, The Pagan Jug Band and The Darlin’ Blackbirds. This is a powerhouse acoustic act that will surely convince you that jug music is dance music and highly enjoyable.

Gabriel Cox – photo by Greg Johnson

The second set of the night will present for the first time at a CBA meeting one of Salem’s young guns who is about to take the Willamette Valley music scene by storm. Gabriel Cox took part in the Journey to Memphis competition back in June, and though he did not advance to the finals he turned a lot of heads and was invited to perform at the Waterfront Blues Festival. His strong self-titled debut recording has been getting steady airplay by Steve Pringle on KINK 101.9 FM, and it is filled with sensational songwriting, guitar work and vocals by Cox, and includes an impressive group of musicians working with him.

Gabriel Cox may not play a traditional style of blues, but he’s heavily steeped in soulful rock that has come directly from the idiom of the blues. With material perfectly made for cross-over appeal, remember seeing him here at the CBA meeting as his recognition starts to rise.

Remember, pick up your free drawing ticket as you come into the venue. You could walk home with a sweet prize like a CD, concert ticket or perhaps something else. We’ll also hold the winner take all multi-CD drawing with a package of discs put together just for the night. And we’ll let you know of all the great happenings going on in the area for the month. A fun night definitely is in store, so grab your friends and come on down to The Melody Ballroom. Always a nice way to hear the best blues in the area and to see your blues family.

Portland Mourns The Loss Of Bluesman Mel Solomon

Cascade Blues Announcement, Cascade Blues Note, R.I.P.

In Memory of Mel Solomon, Bluesman – photo by Val Davis

The Cascade Blues Association is saddened once again with the loss of one of our most beloved performers in the Portland area, Mel Solomon. Mel passed away on June 23^rd, just days shy of his 81^st birthday, after following a long battle with diabetes.

Mel Solomon moved to the Portland area in the early 1970s and worked at Freightliner until retiring in 1985 when he decided to pursue a renewed career in music. He was surrounded by music growing up in Louisiana and worked in many bands as a young man, moving from locations like Chicago, Dallas and Los Angeles. He even did a five-year period touring as part of Hank Ballard & The Midnighters.

In Portland, Mel worked with a variety of blues outfits, garnering a pair of Muddy Awards from the Cascade Blues Association for Best New Act with The Nightlighters in 1991 and Best Male Vocalist in 2001. Sadly, Solomon only officially recorded three songs during his career for Jan Celt’s Flying Heart Records’ compilation CD “A Taste of the Blue Rose”. He was also featured for a couple songs sitting in with guitar legend Hubert Sumlin at the CBA’s second Willamette Delta Showcase in 2001.

The past few years were tough on Mel Solomon as he began to lose his fight with diabetes. First he lost a leg and a few fingers, then his kidney started giving out creating the need for dialysis. Anybody who has known somebody or had to be treated for dialysis knows that it is not an easy treatment and encumbers many painful hours. After some time, Mel decided enough was enough and selected to halt all treatments. He knew that the outcome would be fatal, but he chose to go the path with dignity, deciding on his own that his time had come.

Mel Solomon will not quickly be forgotten. He was an individual everybody enjoyed working with. And when people asked who was the true, real deal bluesman in this city, chances were more than likely they would point out Mel Solomon.

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

Cascade Blues Announcement, Cascade Blues Note

One of the most anticipated events of the year for Cascade Blues Association members is the annual picnic. Taking place on Sunday, August 3^rd, 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!

Prohibition Blues – Early Musicians at the Heart of the Blues

Cascade Blues Note, Interview

by Karen Lovely

In 1964, my grandmother brought out an old phonograph, selected a record from her collection of 78s and handed it to me. I removed the record from its

paper sleeve and holding it only by the edges, carefully placed it on the velvet turntable. I cranked the handle on the side of the machine until the record started spinning then gently lowered the heavy needle onto the outside rim of the shellac disc. Scratchy music sounded from the external horn and my Nana said “Let’s foxtrot!” This was the beginning of my lifelong love affair with Prohibition era music.

Prohibition was a nationwide Constitutional ban on the sale, production, importation, and transportation of alcoholic beverages in effect from 1920 to 1933. In ways completely unintended by proponents of the 18th Amendment, Prohibition forever changed our cultural, societal and musical landscapes.

That change may have begun with the “Speakeasy” – a place where people from many different backgrounds, races, genders, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic statuses could drink and socialize together. Gangsters rubbed elbows with highbrows, men and women could smoke, drink (get splifficated) and dance to the new hot jazz and blues. From Delta fields and Storyville bordellos via the back rooms of countless speakeasies to the big city cabarets and night clubs, blues and jazz became the music that defined the Prohibition era.

Instrumental in popularizing the genre were the classic female blues singers of the 1920s and 30s – singers like Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith, Ethel Waters, Alberta Hunter, Lucille Hegamin, Ida Cox, Victoria Spivey and Sippie Wallace. Female blues artists traveled up and down the east coast riding the rails and performing at the 100+ venues of the T.O.B.A. circuit (TOBA/Theater Owners Booking Association or as Ma Rainey liked to call it “Tough On Black Asses”).

In the 1920s black artists were recorded for the first time in history and black music was embraced by both black and white audiences.

Mamie Smith recorded “Crazy Blues” on August 10th, 1920. The record sold over 75,000 copies in its first month – a staggering amount at the time considering the price of both the record and the phonograph machine needed to play it.

Bessie Smith saved Columbia Records from bankruptcy with sales from her records. “There’s two kinds of people in this town, bootleggers and customers.” While “Empress of the Blues,” Bessie Smith was blazing musical trails across the north, south and midwest, in Rose City “Prohibition Rose” reigned Queen over bootlegging activities in Stumptown. Shanghai City was infamous during prohibition times for its wild night life, underground city, and smuggling: booze, dope, gold and sometimes people. During Prohibition being “wet” in Portland had nothing to do with the rain.

I don’t know how many Portlanders listened to blues and jazz in the 1920s – probably not many given the popularity of the Ku Klux Klan in the early part of the decade. But today in Portland, we have one of the biggest blues communities in the country and I’m honored to be part of it.

There’s a tattoo on my right arm of Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday – some of my favorite Prohibition era blues artists. My grandmother’s favorite song was “Pennies from Heaven” recorded by Billie Holiday, and my sisters and I sang it to her as she died. If there is a heaven, I hope my grandmother is there dancing the Charleston, listening to Billie, singing with Alberta and joking with Ma Rainey (they had a lot in common).

Karen Lovely is a CBA member and 2009 “Journey to Memphis” Winner. She was the 2nd Place Band Winner at the 2010 International Blues Challenge representing the Cascade Blues Association. She has won 7 Muddy Awards including “Performance of the Year” and “Best Female Vocalist”. Her sophomore release “Still the Rain” was nominated for (3) Blues Music Awards including “Best Contemporary Album”, “Best Contemporary Blues Female Artist” and “Best Song”. She has just released a new album of Prohibition era blues called “PROHIBITION” and will be performing songs from the new release with her Prohibition Orchestra at the Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival on July 4th. For more information visit her website at www.karenlovely.com

2014 Blues Music Awards Winners Presented At Huge Gala In Memphis

Cascade Blues Note

The 35^th annual Blues Music Awards was held at the Cook Convention Center in Memphis, TN, on Thursday, May 8^th. Presented by The Blues Foundation, an enthusiastic audience was treated to dinner, multiple sets of music and the announcements of this year’s recipients as chosen by the members.

Performances began at 5:30 pm in the lower lobby of the Convention Center with nominees Dave Keyes and Gracie Curran & The High Falutin’ Band. The main show began promptly at 7:00 pm in the ballroom and included performances from people like Shawn Holt & The Teardops, Lurrie Bell, Anson Funderburgh, Mark Hummel, Charlie Musselwhite, Billy Boy Arnold, Rory Block, James Cotton, Elvin Bishop, Ronnie Earl, Doug MacLeod, Trudy Lynn, Teeny Tucker, Beth Hart, Kim Wilson, Kid Ramos, Brandon Santini, Mike Zito, Cedric Burnside, Vasti Jackson and many others.

On Thursday night, the Hall of Fame inductions were presented, this year honoring artists Big Jay McNeely, R.L. Burnside, Eddie Shaw, Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson and Robert Pete Williams. The big news for the event was that the necessary funds to erect the permanent home for the Blues Hall of Fame, to be housed in Memphis, have been raised and construction will begin on June 1^st. Plans for the grand opening of the Hall of Fame are for next year’s Blues Music Awards.

This year’s complete list of winners are:

Acoustic Album: There’s a Time – Doug MacLeod
Acoustic Artist: Doug MacLeod
Album: Remembering Little Walter – Billy Boy Arnold, Charlie Musselwhite, Mark Hummel, Sugar Ray Norcia, James Harman
B.B. King Entertainer: Buddy Guy
Band: Tedeschi Trucks Band
Best New Artist Debut: Daddy Told Me – Shawn Holt & the Teardrops
Contemporary Blues Album: Badlands – Trampled Under Foot
Contemporary Blues Female Artist: Susan Tedeschi
Contemporary Blues Male Artist: Gary Clark Jr.
DVD: Ruf Records – Songs from the Road (Royal Southern Brotherhood)
Historical Album: Bear Family – The Sun Blues Box
Instrumentalist-Bass: Danielle Schnebelen
Instrumentalist-Drums: Cedric Burnside
Instrumentalist-Guitar: Ronnie Earl
Instrumentalist-Harmonica: Charlie Musselwhite
Instrumentalist-Horn: Eddie Shaw
Koko Taylor Award: Diunna Greenleaf
Pinetop Perkins Piano Player: Victor Wainwright
Rock Blues Album: Made Up Mind – Tedeschi Trucks Band
Song: ”Blues in My Soul” – Lurrie Bell
Soul Blues Album: Down in Louisiana – Bobby Rush
Soul Blues Female Artist: Irma Thomas
Soul Blues Male Artist: John Nemeth
Traditional Blues Album: Remembering Little Walter – Billy Boy Arnold, Charlie Musselwhite, Mark Hummel, Sugar Ray Norcia, James Harman
Traditional Blues Male Artist: James Cotton

27th Annual Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival has a Spectacular Kickoff on July 3rd

Cascade Blues Note, Past PDX Blues Event 2013

Summer is fast approaching and with it comes the 2014 Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival. Mark your calendars for Thursday, July 3 thru Sunday, July 6. This is the event that grows more spectacular every year. Overlooking the Willamette River, Tom McCall Waterfront Park will once again play host to the festival.

“It is Oregon Food Bank’s largest fundraising event to help fight hunger across Oregon and SW Washington. Four days, four stages of non-stop performances by more than 100 artists over July 4 weekend,” according to Peter Dammann, Artistic Director for the event.

Thursday, July 3

The weekend starts on Thursday, July 3, with a hard-rocking double bill featuring Los Lobos and Los Lonely Boys.

Los Lobos
Los Lobos is a band that continually reboots itself and expands its scope with each passing year, while never losing sight of where they came from. Through sheer camaraderie and respect for one another’s musicality, they’ve continued to explore who Los Lobos is and what they have to offer, without succumbing to the burnout that plagues so many other bands that stick it out for any considerable length of time. Their influence is vast, yet they remain humble, centered and dedicated to their craft. Each new recording they make moves Los Lobos into another new dimension while simultaneously sounding like no one else in the world.

Los Lonely Boys
Hailing from San Angelo, Texas, Los Lonely Boys are a sibling trio whose music draws equally from rock, blues, Tex-Mex, Conjunto, and Tejano. Such a combination is shaped by the band’s three brothers: guitarist Henry Garza, bassist JoJo Garza, and drummer Ringo Garza, Jr. Their father, Ringo Garza, Sr., was also a member of a sibling band (the Falcones) during the ’70s and ’80s. Soon after, Garza went solo, backed by his three sons even before they reached their teens. The family relocated to Nashville in the 1990s, and the sons emerged as a group separate from their father.

Portland connection: the group’s touring percussionist, Austin-based Carmelo Torres, is the son of Portland percussion legend Bobby Torres. And Carmelo’s brother, Reinhard Melz, has been first-call drummer on Portland’s blues, soul and funk scene for two decades.

Lil’ Ed & the Blues Imperials
Gritty blues from Chicago’s Lil’ Ed & the Blues Imperials helps to get the party started. From working at Chicago’s Red Carpet Car Wash to appearing on national television, and from gigging at the smallest ghetto blues bars to performing on the biggest international concert stages, master bluesman Lil’ Ed Williams has come a long way. Mixing smoking slide guitar boogies and raw-boned Chicago shuffles with the deepest slow-burners, Lil’ Ed and his blistering Blues Imperials – bassist James “Pookie” Young, guitarist Mike Garrett and drummer Kelly Littleton – deliver the blues, from gloriously riotous and rollicking to intensely emotional and moving. Not since the heyday of Hound Dog Taylor & The HouseRockers has a blues band made such a consistently joyful noise.

Homemade Jamz
Mississippi’s young blues siblings, Homemade Jamz, make their Oregon debut. Ryan Perry’s gruff vocals and visceral, stinging, guitar licks, along with younger brother Kyle’s solid rumble, and baby sister Taya’s cool stomp have electrified crowds across the country, up and down Memphis’s famed Beale Street and on the festival and blues cruise circuit. The band saturated their local media, appearing numerous times in several local papers and national blues magazines, and on local and national TV—including a feature segment on CBS Sunday Morning when the band played the WC Handy Festival last July. Even B.B. King said in a YouTube video, “In my 82 years, I’ve never seen something musically… so remarkable.”

Bombino
Omara “Bombino” Moctar, whose given name is Goumour Almoctar, was born on January 1, 1980, in Tidene, Niger – an encampment of nomadic Tuaregs located about 80 kilometers to the northeast of Agadez. He is a member of the Ifoghas tribe, which belongs to the Kel Air Tuareg federation. Bombino’s first internationally released album, Agadez, was produced by Ron Wyman and released in April 2011 on Cumbancha Records. Bombino made his Nonesuch Records debut with the release of the album Nomad, recorded with Grammy Award-winning producer, Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys. Nomad debuted at #1 on the Billboard World Music album chart and earned rave reviews from top media outlets around the world including BBC World Service, which calls it “utterly, utterly fantastic” and Rolling Stone, which describes Nomad as “a perfect match of sound and soul [that] introduces a new guitar hero.” His dazzling live performance and virtuosity on the guitar have led notable music critics to compare him to Jimi Hendrix, Carlos Santana, Neil Young, and Jerry Garcia.

Friday, July 4

Commander Cody & his Modern Day Airmen
Look in any book on the history of rock and roll and you will ﬁnd Commander Cody and his Lost Planet Airmen, whose Deep in the Heart of Texas is listed among Rolling Stone Magazine’s top 100 albums of all time. But the Commander is no mere nostalgia act, as his 2010 Blind Pig label release, Dopers, Drunks and Everyday Losers, proved. “The Commander is stronger than ever,” raved Hittin’ the Note. “His ﬂoor-stomping mix of country, swing, and rockabilly can shake the rafters of any bar or club.”

John Németh and the Bo-Keys
Blue-eyed soul singer John Németh, backed by Memphis’ legendary Bo-Keys (who’ve worked with Al Green, Otis Redding, Ann Peebles, Mavis Staples) will be back in town. Boise, Idaho is hardly the place anyone would conjure up as a hotbed of soul-blues. But for John Németh, it’s where his love for the genre began—and the starting point for a journey that’s taken him from his first gigs fronting a teenage blues band to winning the “Soul Blues Vocalist of the Year” Award (and four other nominations) at the 2013 Blues Music Awards last month in Memphis. But Boise is where this preternaturally talented son of a Hungarian immigrant gained his early chops on the harmonica, building on the style of blues heroes like Little Walter and Sonny Boy Williamson.

In the early parts of their careers, members of the Bo-Keys performed in B.B. King’s orchestra, anchored the Hi Rhythm Section, nailed the unforgettable intro to “Theme From Shaft,” and survived the plane crash that claimed Otis Redding. The Bo-Keys features alumni both of Stax Records and Hi Records, plus younger musicians who grew up loving that classic sound. The band has garnered an Emmy award and a Grammy nomination. The Bo-Keys’ debut effort The Royal Sessions drew raves, and can still be heard in snippets on National Public Radio broadcasts.

On the Oregonian Front Porch Stage, the action kicks off with the Journey to Memphis finals, segues into a late afternoon swing/blues dance competition, and ends with Bill Rhoades’ annual Harmonica Blow-off.

The evening will close with Oregon’s finest fireworks display, introduced by the National Anthem, sung by Portland gospel/soul diva, Linda Hornbuckle.

Saturday, July 5

Maceo Parker
It’s fairly common knowledge that funk master Maceo Parker has played with each and every leader of funk. He got his start with James Brown, which Maceo describes as “like being at University.” He then jumped aboard the Mothership with George Clinton and he still tours now and then with Prince. He’s the living, breathing pulse which connects the history of Funk in one golden thread.

“He’s no bebopper, reborn or otherwise. His roots are the church and the blues… his sound is a joyful, cutting ribbon of light and heat burnished by grit and soul… kinda like his longtime boss’ vocals, amazingly enough.” There’s no doubt about it, ‘There’s only one Maceo.’”  – Downbeat Magazine

Sugaray Rayford
Soon after he was discovered fronting a Los Angeles blues jam in 2011, Sugaray Rayford became one of the lead vocalists for the Mannish Boys, and appeared with the all-star group that year at Waterfront Blues Festival. He sang lead vocals on nine songs on Double Dynamite, the Mannish Boys CD that won Best Traditional Blues Album at the 2013 Blues Music Awards. Sugaray’s first solo CD Blind Alley was a self-release in 2010, which garnered critical acclaim. His second solo CD Dangerous, released last fall, debuted at #2 on Blues Debut Chart, #6 on the Roots Music Chart and is currently #2 on The Living Blues Chart. In May 2012, Rayford made his stage debut starring in the Tony Award-winning play, “Ain’t Nuthin’ But The Blues” at Portland Center Stage. He joined members of the New York Broadway cast playing the part previously played by the late Ron Taylor. It had a 6-week run where every show ended with a standing ovation.

Otis Taylor with special guest Mato Nanji
Expect the unexpected from blues singer/composer/multi-instrumentalist Otis Taylor. While his music, an amalgamation of roots styles in their rawest form, discusses heavyweight issues like murder, homelessness, tyranny, and injustice, his personal style is lighthearted. “I’m good at dark, but I’m not a particularly unhappy person,” he says. “I’d just like to make enough money to buy a Porsche.” One unexpected element in Taylor’s music is the combination of musicians he selects to play with. Taylor’s special guest for this year’s WBF set is Mato Nanji (Ma-TOE Non-gee), guitarist and co-founder of the Native American blues band Indigenous. Nanji is a fiery blues guitar virtuoso in the vein of Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughn, but he’s no ordinary guitar-slinger; his playing and songwriting possess a tangible spiritual depth. Born and raised on the Yankton Sioux Reservation in South Dakota, Nanji was greatly influenced by his father, who was both an important Native American leader and a musician with a vast collection of blues records.

Zydeco Swamp Romp
On the Oregonian Front Porch Stage, the annual Zydeco Swamp Romp keeps the dance floor packed all day Saturday and Sunday with some of the Gulf Coast’s finest Cajun and Zydeco acts: Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas, Horace Trahann & Ossun Express, Curley Taylor & Zydeco Trouble, Yvette Landry and more.

Sunday, July 6

Then on Sunday, July 6, the four-day festival closes as it did last year—Spectacularly! (Note: Sunday is admission by pass-only)

Gregg Allman
Gregg Allman’s contribution to rock music is undeniable. As lead singer, organist, and songwriter with the Allman Brothers Band, his early popularity and success had much to do with the band’s signature 40-minute jam sessions and high-wattage guitar riffs. But Gregg Allman has long been a gifted natural interpreter of the blues, his soulful and distinctive voice one of the defining sounds in the history of American music. Low Country Blues marks the legendary Rock & Roll Hall of Famer’s seventh solo recording and first in more than 13 years. Produced by T Bone Burnett, the album finds Allman putting his own stamp on songs by some of the blues giants whose work has long informed his own, from Muddy Waters and BB King to Buddy Guy and Magic Sam. Named for the coastal Georgia region Allman calls home, Low Country Blues stands as a high water mark in an already remarkable body of work, rich with passion, verve, and the unerring confidence of a true survivor.

Portland connection: Rose City born and bred saxophonist Jay Collins was a stunning young up-and-comer on the local hard-bop, soul and funk scenes here until he moved to the Big Apple in the 1990s. There, Collins joined the band of the late drummer/leader of The Band, Levon Helm, married his boss’ talented daughter, Amy; worked with such heavies as Michael McDonald, Boz Scaggs and the Allman Brothers, and lately has been touring with Gregg Allman’s Band. Collins will also appear at Waterfront Sunday afternoon with his occasional NY band mate, Chris Bergson.

Boz Scaggs
Boz Scaggs is both a musical seeker and a man of sizable talent as a singer, songwriter and guitarist. His explorations in blues and R&B, rock and jazz have produced lasting work and a career that has brought with it acclaim, a loyal following, and an enduring respect among musicians.

The early part of Scaggs’ career—a long stint in the band of fellow Texan Steve Miller, followed by a solo career that involved collaborations with the likes of Duane Allman—was steeped in the blues. His latest release, last year’s Memphis, was recorded at Willie Mitchell’s famed Royal Studios, which turned out a string of hits for Al Green, Ann Peebles, Otis Clay. On Memphis Boz returns to the blues and soul classics that early-on inspired him. “I had been thinking about a record that involved going back into my past and finding songs that match my style and my voice,” Scaggs says. With producer Steve Jordan and a crack band he put a distinctive touch on classics like “Rainy Night in Georgia,” “Corinna Corinna,” and “Mixed Up, Shook Up Girl,” as well as on a couple of originals. At Waterfront debut, expect Boz Scaggs to dig deep.

Lee Fields & the Expressions
With a career spanning 43 years, releases on 12 different record labels, and having toured the world over with his raucous-yet-tender voice, it’s mind-blowing that the music he’s making today with Brooklyn’s own Truth & Soul Records is the best of Lee Fields career. He continues to evolve, enmeshed into the group’s sweeping, string-laden, cinematic soul sound. Their latest full-length Faithful Man released in March 2012 on Truth & Soul, was called “one smoking mother of an old-sound soul record” by Pitchfork and Vice magazine. Fields’ newest, Emma Jean, is due out June 3.

Joan Osborne with the Holmes Brothers

A Kentucky native, Joan Osborne has sold millions of albums and garnered multiple Grammy nominations throughout her 15-year career. Osborne’s singing career took off while attending NYU’s film school. Inspired by singers like Billie Holiday and Etta James, Osborne’s gutsy, passionate vocals turned “One Of Us,” a track from her major label debut, Relish, into a massive MTV and radio hit. The disc went on to sell 5 million copies worldwide and led to numerous Grammy nominations. Osborne has performed as a member of the Grateful Dead, toured with the Dixie Chicks and The Funk Brothers, appeared in the acclaimed documentary, Standing in the Shadows of Motown, and has released a children’s album and a country record. Her latest release, Bring It On Home, is a collection of classic blues, R&B and soul covers. Joining her on the CD are Barbecue Bob Pomeroy (harmonica), Allen Toussaint (piano), Jimmy Vivino, The Holmes Brothers and Rufus Thomas’ daughter, Vaneese Thomas.

Over the course of their 30-plus year career, The Holmes Brothers have been feeding souls with a joyous and moving blend of blues, gospel, soul, R&B, rock ‘n’ roll, and country. Their three-part harmony singing, mixing Wendell’s gruff and gravelly vocals with Popsy’s soaring falsetto and Sherman’s rich baritone, brings the soul and spirit of gospel music into everything they perform. Equally gripping is the rhythmic foundation laid down by Sherman’s bass playing and Popsy’s drumming, perfectly complimenting Wendell’s blues-soaked guitar solos and church-inspired piano playing. The band easily blends Saturday night’s roadhouse rock with gospel fervor and harmonies. The Holmes Brothers have won multiple Blues Music Awards and performed with the likes of Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, Keith Richards, Al Green, Ben Harper, Levon Helm, and Odetta. The brothers’ recent Alligator release, Brotherhood, has been hailed as the greatest recording of their career.

Other artists
Aside from the headliners, other acts that will be of interest to BluesNotes readers will be:

Andy T & Nick Nixon Band, with special guest Anson Funderburgh
Anthony Paule & Frank Bey
Ayron Jones & The Way
Ben Rice Trio
Bill Rhoades’ Harmonica Blow-Off
Blind Boy Paxton
Chris O’Leary Band
Curley Taylor & Zydeco Trouble
Hillstomp
Horace Trahan & the Ossun Express
Jeffrey Broussard & Creole Cowboys
Journey to Memphis Competition
Kara Grainger
Karen Lovely’s Prohibition Orchestra
Leo “Bud” Welch
Linda Hornbuckle
Rae Gordon Band
The Soul of John Black
Ural Thomas & the Pain
Yvette Landry Chris Bergson Band
And many other fabulous blues acts yet to be announced

See the website at www.waterfrontbluesfest.com for complete information. Artists and schedule subject to change.

DME Blues Cruises
Delta Music Experience returns with their amazing blues cruises.

Thursday, July 3—Hoodoo Moon Cruise – 10:45 p.m.
Featuring: Lil’ Ed & the Blues Imperials, Blind Boy Paxton, Homemade Jamz, Bombino
This is a 21+ show.
Tickets: $35

Friday, July 4—Driftin’ Blues Cruise – 2:30 p.m.
Featuring: Commander Cody, Chris O’Leary Band, Soul of John Black
All-ages show.
Tickets: $25

Saturday, July 5—Sail on Sister Cruise – 2:30 p.m.
Featuring: Duffy Bishop and Friends, Kara Grainger, Ellen Whyte & Albert Reda
All-ages show.
Tickets: $25

Saturday, July 5—Rock the Boat Dance Cruise – 10:45 p.m.
Featuring: Sugaray Rayford Band, Chris Bergson, Andy T & Nick Nixon Band, and others TBA
All-ages show.
Tickets: $35

Waterfront After Hours All-Stars
Catch some of the festival’s biggest acts at the after-hours concerts at the Marriott Hotel Ballroom.

Friday, July 4—“John Nemeth’s Memphis Grease Party” with the Bo-Keys, Duffy Bishop, Andy Stokes, and other special guests. (Additional headlining act to be announced)

Saturday, July 5—Maceo Parker, Lee Fields & The Expressions

Waterfront After Hours Jam
The WBF After Hours Series at Hotel Rose (formerly Hotel Fifty) has again been officially sanctioned as part of the event. For those of you who know, this developed from an acoustic solo/duo venue into a Portland-hosted musical “welcome wagon”, where touring artists could come together with locals in an intimate, invigorating environment.

The host band will, for the third time, be Dave Kahl, Carlton Jackson, and, either switching off or some combination of Lloyd Jones and Chris Carlson. Admission is free and it’s always a great time.

Passes
4-day passes are on sale now for $60. Or invest in a Buddy Pass, for $120, which gets you early entry, guaranteed re-entry to Festival, exclusive Buddy T-shirt and button, and discount to after-hours Allstars concerts by Maceo Parker, Lee Fields & the Impressions, John Németh & the Bo-Keys. Visit waterfrontbluesfest.com for information on passes and updates on lineup.

Safety Updates
Oregon Food Bank announced safety updates for the 27th annual Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival presented by First Tech Federal Credit Union. In keeping with best practices for events and festivals around the nation, updates include (but are not limited to) no hard-sided coolers, no large blankets or tarps, no high-backed chairs, limited outside beverages and one bag smaller than 16x16x8 in. Check website for more information.

Final Words of Wisdom
“Don’t miss what’s sure to be Portland’s festival / concert experience of the summer. This is THE concert deal of the summer and a great way to support Oregon Food Bank! You’ll need a Festival Pass for Spectacular Sunday. And it all goes to help Oregon Food Bank fight hunger and its root causes,” Peter Dammann said.

Gorge Blues and Brews Returns to Stevenson, June 21st

Cascade Blues Note, Past PDX Blues Event 2013

The premier blues festival in the Columbia River Gorge returns to Stevenson, Washington on Saturday, June 21^st with seven bands on two stages, sixteen regional breweries, six Gorge wineries and food from many local vendors. The Gorge Blues and Brews Festival will run from noon until 10:00 pm taking place in one of the most beautiful venues in the world at the Skamania county Fairgrounds. Kicking off the festivities will be a free Friday Night Waterfront Jam, with local bands including The Love Skunks, starting at 6:00 pm and running until 10:00 pm.

Admission to the Gorge Blues and Brews Festival is only $15.00 which includes a commemorative beer or wine glass. Tickets may be purchased in advance at www.Tickettomato.com. Buy your tickets in advance on-line and you will receive 5 free drink tokens. For further information about activities at the festival, lodging and camping, please visit their website at www.gorgebluesandbrews.com. Doors open at noon.

Schedule for Saturday, June 21st, 2014

12:30—2:00pm Dusu Mali (Portland’s improvisational African blues rock & roll)
2:15—2:40pm Local Stage
2:45—4:15pm Billy D & the Hoodoos (Award winning bluesy rock from Portland)
4:20—4:55pm Local Stage
5:00—6:30pm Jimmy D. Lane & Guests (Chicago blues guitarist who has recorded with BB King, Van Morrison, Mick Jagger, Eric Clapton, Taj Mahal and more!)
6:45—7:45pm Local Stage
8:00—10:00pm Soul Vaccination (The Pacific Northwest’s hottest Funk & Soul band)

Consider placing an ad ! Blues Notes Ad Rates

Cascade Blues Note

The BluesNotes is published monthly by the Cascade Blues Association (CBA). Approximately 5,000 copies are printed and distributed to over 50 locations in the greater Portland area and beyond. The BluesNotes is mailed directly to over 1000 CBA members each month.

The BluesNotes provides a comprehensive look at what’s happening in the Portland Blues scene every month. Articles feature local bands, venues, coverage of concerts, interviews, record reviews, historical information and the latest on Blues music and the Blues entertainment scene near and far. With distribution throughout the city at restaurants, taverns, music stores, bookstores and other accessible locations, the BluesNotes is easily found and avidly read by thousands of music fans of all backgrounds and preferences.
The BluesNotes is an inexpensive advertising vehicle for reaching a large population of people with interests in music, especially Blues music! You can save by placing your ad in multiple issues.

All ads should be electronic camera ready, otherwise graphics production charges (paste-up) will be added at a rate of $60/hour with a minimum of $25. Call for additional sizes, rates and custom graphic production to suit your needs. The deadline for advertising is generally the 15th of the month prior to publication or the Friday prior to that if the 15th falls on a weekend. If the ad isn’t camera ready and we must do the production, the deadline is the 7th of the month prior to publication. Ads should be e-mailed to: cbastaff@cascadeblues.org.

NEW ADDITION! You can now reach more people by advertising on our website at www.cascadebluesassociation.org. Banner ads, which are approximately 2” x 2” can be purchased at a rate of $50/month or if you advertise in the BluesNotes, your ad on our website is only $25/month!Terms: Payment is due upon receipt of invoice. All checks should be made payable to the Cascade Blues Association and submitted to the CBA, PO Box 14493, Portland, OR 97293-0493.

– Laurie Morrisey, BluesNotes Editor (503) 223-1850

What’s on Tap for June’s General Membership Meeting . . .

Cascade Blues Note, General Meetings

Melody Ballroom, 615 SE Alder St., Portland
Wednesday, June 4^th, 7:00 pm
Members always Free – Non-members $3.00
Opening Acoustic Set – Justin James Bridges
Second Electric Set – Holfar Blue

For June, we’re bringing a couple of acts that you may not be well aware of, but they’re making their marks around town and we think you’ll enjoy both sets a great deal. Sorry I missed last month while I was working the Blues Music Awards, and Wendy and Jon were both out of town on business, but I heard Merry did a terrific job hosting and J. Lofberg graciously helped out as Terry Currier was also unavailable. Things will be back to normal this time, though Terry will still be missing.

For our first set we will feature Justin James Bridges, a Texas-born guitarist now living in Portland. This past year saw him release three all original albums and two music videos, quite a hefty accomplishment for any musician, but it is the quality, diversity and originality that truly make his material special. Bridges has recently returned from a multi-month tour that took him to his native Texas and into California. An activist for legalization of marijuana, the tour titled the Cannabis Common Sense Tour found him performing at the Rainbow Bar & Grill on Los Angeles’ Sunset Strip and at two separate High Times Cannabis Cups. He is also a regularly featured performer at Portland’s World Famous Cannabis Café.

Fun and soulful are probably the best descriptions of Justin James Bridges’ sound. While all of his music has a blues/funk/roots base, he layers, blends and bends various genres in a creative, original way. Plenty of something for everyone, do not miss your chance to catch Justin James Bridges’ set.

Our second set of the night will bring Holfar Blue to our members. The band has been playing the area since 2011 and quickly gained a loyal following for their eclectic mix of original songs, blending elements of blues, jazz and rock, as well as artful covers of classic blues and rock rarities. The band released their first full-length CD, Blue Suede Cadillac, in 2012 and followed that up with a four-song EP, You Need Truth, in 2013.

The band features guitarist Michael Houlberg, who began his musical journey playing in San Diego and Los Angeles before relocating to Portland. He writes the band’s songs from his own personal experiences, drawing on his observations of others and his imagination, often placing himself as the main character in his songs. “I don’t play “authentic” blues, even though I’ve schooled myself on it and enjoy it greatly,” Michael states. “It just doesn’t feel authentic to me. Muddy Waters can sing “I’m going down to Louisiana”, but I’ve never been there. ”

Also in the band are original member David Farrell, a classically trained keyboardist with a deep love for the blues and rock music. Former Portland surf band The Verbtones’ bassist Mike Tatro, and Brian Parks who comes from a long line of drummers in his family.

Get set for a fun-filled performance featuring music in a style that is based deeply in the blues, but also reflects their love for rock, R&B, jazz and Motown music.

In between sets we will do our free ticket drawing for everybody to have the chance to win CDs and concert tickets, while letting you know what will be going on in the area during the month. We will also have our multi-CD package tickets for sale and will draw the winning number midway into the second set.

As a heads up, make sure to mark your calendars for the July meeting that will take place the second Wednesday of the month because of the Waterfront Blues Festival happening the week before. That’s Wednesday, July 9^th, still happening at The Melody Ballroom at the regular time. Don’t miss out!