Jimmy Mak’s, the premier Portland destination for jazz and a whole lot more is proud to present the T-Bone Walker Tribute band on August 10th. This all-star lineup brings back the classic T-bone Walker following the teachings of T-Bone to the letter and performing classic hits such as “Street Walkin Woman” and “Strolling with the Bone” in the period correct style that he made famous. The band consists of guitarists Franck Goldwasser (Paris Slim), Chris Carlson, Vyasa Dodson, with Reinhardt Melz. Louis Pain. Stevie Kerin, Jim Wallace, John Mazzocco, Chris Mercer, Joe McCarthy, and Bradley Ulrich. “What makes this project exciting to us and hopefully attractive to the public is the ability of these musicians to play his music with the same grits, groove and gravy that he brought to the stage. We are trying to play these songs with the cultural integrity that Portland demands from their bands.” said John Mazzocco. “We believe that the fans of T-Bone deserve a full Read more
Kenny Neal
The inaugural Island Park Blues Festival will be held on the banks of the beautiful Willamette River in Springfield, Oregon, on August 9 and 10, 2013. This event is a fundraiser for FOOD For Lane County. Headliners appearing on the Rooster’s Main Stage will include Lydia Pense & Cold Blood on Friday night and Kenny Neal on Saturday. You’ll be immersed in all styles of blues music — from roots tunes on handmade instruments up through high voltage progressive tunes. Multiple generations of performers will join us with elders like king of the buskers Eagle Park Slim and 14 year old sensation Savanna Coen. Beer, wine and hard cider will be available, along with delicious food and non-alcoholic beverages and “Artisans Row” will offer up all sorts of art work and crafts.
After-hours performances will also take place at Mac’s Night Club Stage, at 1626 Willamette Street, featuring the original Rooster’s Blues Jam both Friday and Saturday night, hosted by Skip Jones and Bryon Case, from 9:30 pm to 1:30 am with no cover Read more
Ben Rice
The Kalama Blues Festival returns on Saturday, August 17th for another full day’s worth of terrific blues music featuring several regional bands and headliner Studebaker John & The Hawks. Just a short drive north of Portland, this event is located right on the banks of the Columbia River at Waterfront Marina Park. Food vendors will be on site including local wine and beer. Admission is only $8.00 and two cans of food to assist Kalama Helping Hands.
Studebaker John will bring his classic traditional Chicago sounds that have been fan favorites since the 1970s. Also on the line-up will be The Bill Rhoades Band, The Robbie Laws Band, The Ben Rice Band and The Vermen.
It all starts at 1:00 pm. Camping and lodging are available nearby. For more information check out www.cityofkalama.com.
Kenny “Blue” Ray has led a storied life as a bluesman. He has worked with the best in the business, including acts like Little Charlie & The Nightcats, Marcia Ball, Mitch Woods, Stevie Ray Vaughan, John Lee Hooker, Charlie Musselwhite, Smokey Wilson, William Clarke and way too many others to name. He is known for his fat guitar overtones, complex chord changes and lightning-fast chops that tend to draw rock fans into the blues fold. Since 1994, he has released many outstanding solo CDs that showcase his musical prowess as well as the sound quality of the guitars he makes himself.
For many years now, Kenny “Blue” Ray has called the San Francisco Bay Area home, but Read more
On Thursday, August 15th, the Alberta Rose Theatre will present one of the hottest twin bills to hit town this summer as Kansas City’s blues & roots piano playing Kelley Hunt will be showcased alongside San Francisco’s Quinn DeVeaux & The Blue Beat Review.
In some ways Roots R&B/Americana singer/songwriter/piano player/guitarist Kelley Hunt is a rarity and a challenge to the music industry’s penchant for easy artist definitions — a woman who has muscled her way into the scene on her own terms with an identity steeped in blues/roots/gospel traditions and a refreshing originality. She makes music with its righteous roots intact that also crosses boundaries, has an open-minded, exploratory attitude and takes on social and political issues. Together with a commanding, passionate stage presence and superior vocal, keyboard and songwriting skills she has earned the respect of critics and fans across North America and Europe.
Quinn DeVeaux has packed houses and astounded audiences in the bay area for years with his smooth and dirty spank you voice and cool melodic songwriting. First he started an early Chicago Blues band and then a New Orleans soul and gospel band. Both groups had audiences clamoring for more. Now he has combined it all in the Blue Beat Review a self-styled crossroads of his many musical roots. Quinn harnesses the likes of Ray Charles, John Hurt, Fats Domino and Bo Diddley. His songwriting is the classic influence made fresh. With all the style and subtlety of the great soul/blues singers of the earth bound golden days, his band keeps audiences in a state of joy.
The Alberta Rose Theatre is located at 3000 NE Alberta St. Showtime is 8:00 pm and minors are okay when accompanied by a parent or guardian. Tickets are $15.00 advance and $18.00 day of show, available on-line at www.albertarosetheatre.com.
Samantha Fish photo by Greg Johnson
Over the past few years Samantha Fish has taken the blues world by storm. The fiery young guitarist out of Kansas City has toured the country and Europe several times, was selected as the Best New Artist at the 2012 Blues Music Awards, recorded with the likes of Dani Wilde and Cassie Taylor and is set to have a new CD hit the shelves in September titled Black Wind Howlin’ on Ruf Records. She can easily mix up takes that are quite bluesy, rockin’ and even on the jazz side. A superb songwriter and vocalist, Samantha Fish is an astounding live performer that will hold you to the edge of your seat listening intensely.
Samantha Fish will be heading to Portland on Thursday, August 8th for her debut appearance at Duff’s Garage. Showtime is 9:00 pm. This is a Cascade Blues Association co-sponsored event, so make certain to show your up-to-date membership card at the door to receive a $1.00 discount on admission.
“Rhythm and Blues Singing Baby of Soul,” “The White Tina Turner,” a “Power House Blues Woman and Entertainer,” these are a few of the titles given to singer/songwriter Kaye Bohler. The Santa Cruz Sentinel describes Bohler: “In a voice coated with whiskey and honey, Kaye Bohler sings the blues layered with a little bit of funk, R&B, jazz and San Francisco’s psychedelic sound. But it’s her lyrical honesty, trained voice and accomplished musicians that keep her band booked just about every weekend throughout the Bay Area and beyond.” Sheer charm, personality and magnetism dominate this curvaceous curly-haired diva’s every performance and she’s been known to bring down the house just through her passionately delivered music.
The Kaye Bohler Band will be appearing at Duff’s Garage (1635 SE 7th) on Thursday, August 22nd for a 9:00 pm show that is certain to bring excitement and high-powered entertainment. Admission is $10.00. This is a Cascade Blues Association co-sponsored event, so bring your membership card for a $1.00 discount at the door.
Los Angeles-based blues-roots band The 44s have been making a huge name for themselves touring across the country electrifying audiences with their outstanding blend of Chicago and West Coast styled blues. With front man Johnny Main offering some of the most rambunctious guitar licks and Tex Nakamura blowing the reeds out of his harmonica, The 44s will be bringing the house down with their infectious energy.
Supporting their most recent Rip Cat recording, Americana, The 44s will be making another trip to Duff’s Garage (1635 SE 7th) on Friday, August 9th at 9:00 pm. Opening the night will be one of Portland’s blues legends Big Monti Amundson with his hard-hitting original music. Admission for this show is $12.00 and as this is a Cascade Blues Association co-sponsored event, you can receive a $1.00 discount at the door by showing your current membership card. Do not miss out on what is sure to be a barn-burning party!
Coco Montoya just may be one of the premier blues guitarists of the day. Mentored by Albert Collins and spending a decade playing in John Mayall’s band primed Montoya for a solo career that has seen him filling venues and performing on festival stages around the world. A past Blues Music Award winner, Billboard magazine had this to say about Montoya: “In a world of blues guitar pretenders, Coco Montoya is the real McCoy. Be prepared to get scorched.” Always a sensational, exciting show filled with his toneful playing that can light up a room, Coco Montoya has long been a fan favorite touring artist in Portland.
Coco Montoya will be returning to The Rose City for an evening at Jimmy Mak’s (221 NW 10th) on Wednesday, August 21st, starting at 8:00 pm. Tickets are available at www.tickettomato.com and are $18.00 for guaranteed seating and $15.00 for general admission.
FRIDAY, JULY 19
Margo Tufo
6:00 – 9:30pm Helen Bernhard Bakery parking lot – NE Broadway and 17th Ave.
The 2013 Kickoff Party will feature energetic blues, soul and funk by local favorites Margo Tufo, Terry Robb, and the Knuckleheads outside on the intimate Helen Bernhard Bakery stage. Local vendors will offer beer, wine and food for sale, and the music is FREE! The party starts at 6:00pm, so grab your friends and family and your dancing shoes for a great summer evening!
MUSIC SCHEDULE:
6:00-6:45pm – Terry Robb (blues)
7:00-8:00pm – Knuckleheads (soul, blues and funk)
8:15-9:30pm – Margo Tufo (blues)
FOOD & DRINK FROM: Great Wine Buys, Hop Haven, Food Vendors tba