The Aladdin Theater Welcomes Guitar Legend Robin Trower-July 1st

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One of the world’s greatest and most beloved blues-rock power trios returns to Portland for another superb evening of music. From his days with Procol Harum, Robin Trower has been hailed as one of the premier guitar heroes, and his work since those days within a trio ensemble  easily recalls outfits like Cream or the Jimi Hendrix Experience. Trower’s work is every bit as impressive and flocks of guitar students and pros will be lined up in front of the stage to watch him play. More than forty years since the release of his epic album Bridge of Sighs, Robin Trower is proving night after night that he is a guitar hero on par with Clapton and Hendrix.

Robin Trower will be playing on Wednesday, July 1 at The Aladdin Theater, 3017 SE Milwaukie Ave, for an 8:00 pm show. Opening the night will be Seattle blues-rockers Ayron Jones & The Way. Tickets are $42.50 advance through TicketFly.com or $45.00 day of show at the door. Minors under 21 are welcome with a parent or legal guardian.

It Was Party Time On New Year’s Eve At Duff’s Garage!

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By Kat Rose

The Strange Tones were excited to play the first New Year’s Eve at the new Duff’s Garage, located at 2530 NE 82nd.

The band has developed a marriage of blues, surf and Rockabilly that they have coined “Crime-A-Billy” to describe their own distinguishable, unique sound.

This band is the complete package with Guitar Julie (vocals and guitar), Andy Strange (bass, guitar, and harmonica), Suburban Slim (vocals, guitar), backed by Andy Gauthier’s energetic drumbeat.

NYEJulie’s lyrical style vocals and steaming guitar are well teamed with Andy’s backbeat on bass. He also plays harmonica on the original tunes “Wigglin’ Fool” and “Runaway Dog”. Andy Gauthier’s precision drumming and Suburban Slim’s fierce guitar and vocals on songs like ”Strollin’ With You” and “Kathryn Style” add to the band’s versatility.

Due to a recent bicycle accident, Andy was relieved on some songs by Whit Draper. Whit was a member of the original band and performed on their first CD Stink Bomb!.

The Strange Tones performed songs from their latest CD At Home With The Strange Tones as well as some old favorites from their previous CDs We’re On Our Way, Crime-A-Billy, and Stink Bomb!.

The band’s live energy was reciprocated by whooping and hollering and a packed dance floor.

I talked with Julie after the show and she exclaimed, “What a perfect way to ring in the new year with all our Strange Tones family and friends. We have such a long history with Duff’s, so it was great playing in their new room. And having Strange Tones alum Whit Draper sit in made it extra special!”

2014 Holiday Party – Thank You

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By Richard LaChapelle

This year’s Holiday Party, hosted at the Spare Room, and was packed with entertainers, CBA members and guests, celebrating the Christmas season with excellent blues.

A big thank you goes out to The Bridge City Blues Band, The Gabriel Cox Band, Kevin Self & The Torandoes, The Ken DeRouchie Band, and Ellen Whyte, with Albert Reda and Terry Robb, for providing the music that makes Portland a first class blues town all year long.

This would not have happened without our hard working CBA Board Members for organizing this well attended event. Thanks to our generous volunteers–Winnie Richards, Kendall and Cheryl Kalimper, Gary Jaskowiak, Randy Murphy, Sandy Forst, Jody Gunn, Barry Blackwell, Tom Jurhs, Janet Tolman and Cherie Robbins–who know how to have a good time and make it happen.

And finally to the Spare Room for accommodating our CBA holiday crowd, and the friendly and efficient wait staff that took good care of all of us.

Tribute To Chuck Berry To Be Held At Duff’s Garage- Nov. 28th

Imagine a musical world without the songs of Chuck Berry. This is the music that inspired many a musician and helped shape the world of rock & roll. And did you know he started out as a blues player from St. Louis and recorded on the foremost blues label of its day, Chess Records. What followed was an impressive string of hits that have become the sing-along favorites of a whole generation, from “Johnny B. Goode,” to “Roll Over Beethoven,” to “Rock & Roll Music,” to “Maybelline,” to “Sweet Little Sixteen,” these are only a handful of the classic songs he created. Chuck Berry is still with us at 88 years old and though his songs are immortal, he himself has slid into somewhat obscurity. A group of local musicians feel that isn’t right, so they have decided to throw a Tribute Show in his honor.

On Friday, November 28th, at Duff’s Garage, 2530 NE 82nd, plan on joining Big Monti Amundson, Vyasa Dodson, Jon Koonce, Rich Layton and Texas rockabilly artist Elvis Cantu, with Jon Wallace as host, as they celebrate the music of Chuck Berry. Showtime is  9:00 pm. Admission is $10.00. This is a CBA co-sponsored event, so show your membership card at the door for a $1.00 discount. This is not a night where you have “No Particular Place To Go,” you’re going to want to be at Duff’s for a “Reelin’ & Rockin’” good time.

British Re-Invasion Tribute To Rock, The Star Theater- Nov. 8th

1907431_852784404741259_5464650878221053829_n[1]Everybody knows that blues rock world was put on its ear with the Invasion of British guitar greats that helped reintroduce American blues music to a wider audience. Three of the most renowned players were of course Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page. A trio of Portland’s best stringers have collaborated for a brilliant tribute show honoring these musicians for a concert they’ve named the British Re-Invasion. Cascade Blues Association Muddy Hall of Famer Robbie Laws will be taking on the music of Eric Clapton, Steve Adams known for his work with many nationally recognized progressive rock and new wave bands will handle the Jimmy Page selections, and former Michael Jackson guitarist will be displaying her skills with Jeff Beck’s music, an artist she performed with for three years. Backing the trio of guitar masters will be Federico Pol on bass, Merrill Hale on drums and Kevin Burkhart on keys. Joining the show will also be vocalists Rich Ray and Geoff Metts.

The British Re-Invasion will be held at The Star Theater, 13 NW 6th Ave., on Saturday, November 8th, starting at 9:00 pm. Tickets are $15.00 and can be purchased in advance at www.startheaterportland.com.

Josh Hoyer and The Shadowboxers Bringing Their Soulful Sounds To Portland- Nov. 18th

Josh Hoyer and the Shadowboxers - press photoFuse Recording’s Charlie Johnson describes Josh Hoyer and the Shadowboxers as “coming out firing on all cylinders, smashing styles together to come up with their own groove. Funky soul packed with power, it’s Dr. John meets Al Green backed by Booker T and the MGs. You know, the good stuff.”

Based in Lincoln, Nebraska, this band led by keyboardist/saxophonist/vocalist Josh Hoyer, is made up of a collection of stalwart veteran players who have worked with a number of renowned acts. Formed in 2012, they have been playing sold-out marquee venues and festivals throughout the West and Midwest. Borrowing  from the Stax. Motown, New Orleans and San Francisco sounds, they blend the classic sounds of soul and R&B while presenting their own unique presentation.  If great songs, soul-drenched vocals, screaming guitar, blasting horns, thick, nasty organ, and an inescapable groove are your thing, this band is for you.

Josh Hoyer and the Shadowboxers will be appearing at Duff’s Garage on Tuesday, November 18th, for a 8:30 pm show. Duff’s Garage is located at 2530 NE 82nd. This is a Cascade Blues Association co-sponsored event; show your current membership card at the door for a $1.00 discount on the $10.00 admission.

All Star Benefit Show To Help Young Cancer Patient Alyssa- Nov. 16th

Aly Lilly (right) with sister Roeyn and cousin Lisa MannIt is going on nearly two years since we first heard the story of little Alyssa Weiser-Lily, better known as Aly, and the friendship that her family developed with local blues player Lisa Mann. After living next to one another for a few years, they actually discovered that they’re related. Well Aly’s story is that since she was 18 months old she has been battling cancer. The fight continues and recent surgery to remove a damaged cornea took place due to recurring infections and now she will be looking at chemotherapy. The family needs support financially to help make ends meet, not only for Aly but her three sisters and parents as well as they do not even own a car to be able to transport Aly to her treatments.

The Portland blues and roots community is gathering once again to help raise some much needed funds for Aly’s need. An all star benefit show has been scheduled at Bradford’s, NE 103rd & Halsey, on Sunday, November 16th from 2:00 pm until closing. Many of the Portland area’s top acts are joining in to offer their time, including Robbie Laws, Kevin Selfe & The Tornadoes, Jim Mesi, Rae Gordon, Lil Queenie Big Band, Lisa Mann & Karen Lovely, Ben Rice, Dover Weinberg, Ed Neumann, Doug Rowell, Bolt Upright, A.C. Porter, Jim Wallace, Sonny Hess, Jeffrey Parrish and more to be announced.

Please plan on attending this worthy cause. Suggested donation is only $5.00, but please give what you can.  If you are unable to be there in person, you can still help out through on-line funding at http://www.gofundme.com/a13wlc   or directly to PayPal at chimpanzen@yahoo.com.

 

Super Group Southern Soul Assembly Comes To Portland- Nov. 13th

Southern Soul Assembly - press photoFour of today’s most talented blues and roots musicians have joined forces to put together an all-acoustic showcase that has been inspired by Southern rock, gospel and blues calling themselves Southern Soul Assembly. This is not just another one-off for an album grouping, they have been touring the country endlessly for the last few months. The band consists of Florida roots artist J.J. Grey who is renowned for his high energy performances, New Orleans-based bluesman Anders Osborne, Louisiana bayou soulman Marc Broussard, and Memphis guitarist Luther Dickinson who helped found the North Mississippi All-Stars and has toured as a member of The Black Crowes. As Southern Soul Assmebly, each member will perform as a solo, duo, trip and quarter throughout the show. Expect a night full of stories and music influenced by their Southern upbringing.

Southern Soul Assembly will be appearing at the Aladdin Theater on Thursday, November 13th at 8:00 pm. Tickets are $35.00 through TicketFly.com or the Aladdin Theater box office. Minors are welcome when accompanied by a parent or guardian. The Aladdin Theater is located at 3017 SE Milwaukie Ave.

Andy Stokes sings Marvin Gaye! Two Shows, One Night At Jimmy Mak’s – Nov. 8th

Legendary NW soul singer Andy Stokes’ amazing renditions of the Marvin Gaye classics “What’s Going On” and “Let’s Get It On” invariably Andy Stokes - photo by Greg Johnsonbring down the house. So for one night only, two shows, at Jimmy Mak’s,  Andy and an all-star backing group will play an entire set of Marvin Gaye songs! From early hits like “How Sweet It Is” to later ones like “Sexual Healing” to soulful duets like “You’re All I Need To Get By”: Andy will sing all your Marvin Gaye favorites like no one else can!

Andy Stokes has been wowing audiences since his days as lead singer with the nationally renowned Portland soul band Cool’R. For this show, he’ll be joined by organist/musical director Louis “King Louie” Pain, guitarist Dave Lula, bassist Errick Lewis, drummer Brian Foxworth, saxophonist Andy Warr, and vocalist Tahirah Memory.

Andy Stokes Sings Marvin Gaye happens on Saturday, November 8th. Jimmy Mak’s is located at 221 NW 10th Ave. There will be two separate shows, one at 7:30 pm and the second at 10:00 pm. Admission is $12.00 reserved (dinner required) and $10.00 general admission and are available now at www.tickettomato.com. 21 & over only.

The Power Of Two, Rae Gordon and Stacy Jones In A Double Headliner At Duff’s Garage – Nov. 8th

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Two of the Pacific Northwest’s most powerful blues beltin’ ladies will both be appearing on the same show at Duff’s Garage on Saturday, November 8th. Seattle’s Stacy Jones, the winner of the Washington Blues Society Best of the Blues (BB) Award in 2014 for Female Vocalist teams up with the Cascade Blues Association 2013 Duffy Bishop Female Vocalist of the Year recipient Rae Gordon (and Rae is nominated again this year). Both front extraordinarily strong bands and are sure to ignite the stage with some fiery, jump out of your seat and hit the dance floor blues.

Stacy Jones does not make it down to the Portland area too often and her music has lately taken on a blend of country, folk and Americana alongside her soulful blues. A multi-talented artist, she plays guitar, harmonica, writes her own music and has four albums to her credit.

Rae Gordon needs no introduction to the music fans in Portland. A multi-winner of the Muddy Awards, she is also this year’s winning band in the CBA’s Journey to Memphis competition and will be heading to Memphis to participate in the International Blues Challenge this January. Every show between now and then will help raise funds to get the band to Tennessee and see that they’re fed well, too.

Duff’s Garage is located at 2530 NE 82nd and this show will have a 9:00 pm start time. Admission is only $10.00, a real steal for two great acts. Plus, you can receive a $1.00 discount by showing your membership card at the door for this CBA co-sponsored event.