Janiva Magness at the Lan Su Chinese Garden

Janiva Magness - photo by Greg Johnson

Janiva Magness – photo by Greg Johnson

This summer, the Lan Su Chinese Garden will be holding special Tuesdays by Twilight performances and on Tuesday, July 30th they will be featuring a special night with the sensational Janiva Magness. One of the most electrifying and entertaining performers on the blues scene today, Janiva Magness has won multiple Blues Music Awards over the years, including two just this last May for Contemporary Female Artist and Song of the Year, “I Won’t Cry” from her latest Alligator release Stronger For It.

Janiva Magness posseses a voice that draws you to her. Full of emotion, often full of sass, she is an engaging performer that commands attention. There is definitely a reason why she has been awarded with the B.B. King Entertainer of the Year BMA in the past as well. This is a performer and a concert you will not likely forget.

 

The Lan Su Chinese Garden is located in Portland’s historic Chinatown, in Old Town Portland, at 239 NW Everett St. Showtime is 7:30. Tickets are available through www.lansugarden.org and are $35 for Lan Su members and $40 general admission. Gates open at 6:30. Beer, wine and dinner boxes are available from local vendors.

 

Young Blues Guitar Phenom Samantha Fish To Debut At Duff’s Garage – Aug. 8th

Samantha Fish color photo by Greg Johnson

Samantha Fish color 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.

Bill Kirchen to Highlight a Series of Nights to Celebrate Promoter Joey Scruggs’ Birthday

Bill Kirchen press photoThe “Titan of the Telecaster” and original guitarist for Commander Cody & His Lost Planet Airmen, Bill Kirchen returns to Duff’s Garage as the main event in a series of three nights celebrating local promoter Joey Scruggs’ 60th birthday.  One of the best guitar pickers of all time, and perhaps best known for his incredible guitar work on the hit song “Hot Rod Lincoln,” the Grammy-nominated Kirchen will also be celebrating the release of his newest CD titled Seeds & Stems.

Bill Kirchen will be performing at Duff’s Garage (1635 SE 7th) on Friday, August 2nd at 9:00 pm. Tickets are $21.00 and available through www.tickettomato.com. Opening the night will be Oregon Music Hall of Read more

A Quick Take – Even More Shows in July!

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July just seems to be packed full of great performances from local and touring acts, but here is a quick look at a few other blues acts hitting the area that you may be interested to checking out.

On Saturday, July 6th, British blues-rocker Sandi Thom will be doing an in-store performance at Music Millennium at 3:00 pm. That same night at the Oregon Zoo, one of the leading influential Read more

Tuck Foster & The Mossrites

Tuck Foster & the Mossrites - press photo

Tuck Foster & the Mossrites – press photo

This Eastern Washington-based band led by multi-award winning vocalist & harmonica player Tuck Foster will be hitting several stops in our area in July. This is sure to be an entertaining group, as Foster is joined by some of Washington’s finest musicians making up The Mossrites: bass player Patrick T Moss, guitarist Jason Moore and drummer Mike “Choo Choo Train” Geho. The band plays exceptional Chicago style electric blues. Members of both the Inland Empire Blues Society in Spokane and the Walla Walla Blues Society rave about Tuck Foster & The Mossrites and you have four opportunities to see for yourself: Thursday, July 18th at 8:00 pm at Duff’s Garage (635 SE 7th, Portland), Friday, July 19th at 7:00 pm at the Trails End (1320 Main St, Oregon City), Saturday, July 20th at noon at Gladstone Latus Harley Davidson (870 E Berkeley St Gladstone), and Saturday, July 20th at 7:00 pm at The Birk (11139 Oregon 202 Clatskanie). Check with venues for admission prices.

Barbara Healy & Her Groove Too Band CD Party Sept. 7th

Barbara Healy & Groove Too Band (press photo)

Barbara Healy & Groove Too Band (press photo)

       For more than thirty years, Barbara Healy has been astounding audiences throughout the Pacific Northwest. Based out of the Eugene/Albany area she has been delivering top quality blues and R&B at major festivals and venues all up and down the West Coast. Recently she put together a new band focusing on her incredible songwriting and they have recorded an album titled Shades of Blues. The band on the disc is made up of Barbara’s essential vocals, guitarist Mickey Beach, Keyboardist Michael Mendenhall, Corey Culberhous on bass, Phil Shupert on drums and horn players Jeff Homan and Joe McCarthy.

     Barbara Healy & Her Groove Too Band will be holding a CD release party at Duff’s Read more

Mississippi Blues-Roots Musician Paul Thorn to Appear at the Alberta Rose

Paul Thorn - press photo

Paul Thorn – press photo

Paul Thorn has been pleasing crowds for years with his muscular brand of roots music – bluesy, rocking and thoroughly Southern, yet also speaking universal truths. The Tupelo, Mississippi native worked in a furniture factory, jumped out of airplanes, and was a professional boxer before sharing his experiences with the world as a singer-songwriter. His songwriting has brought comparisons to the likes of John Prine and John Hiatt and he has been hailed as “The Mark Twain of Americana.” His performances are captivating, covering his original music and top-notch covers done in his own unique style. A rising star, Paul Thorn is one of those musicians whose shows are a must see.

 

Paul Thorn will be returning to Portland for a show on Sunday, July 21st at the Alberta Rose Theatre. This show is open to all ages, those under 21 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Show time is 8:00 pm. Tickets are available at www.albertarosetheatre.com and are $20.00 advance and $25 at the door.

 

 

The Mighty Mojo Prophets Coming To Duff’s Garage

The Mighty Mojo Prophets - press photo

The Mighty Mojo Prophets – press photo

From Long Beach, California, Rip Cat Recording artists The Mighty Mojo Prophets will be heading to Portland for a show at Duff’s Garage (1635 SE 7th) on Sunday, July 7th at 8:00 pm. Nominated for a Blues Music Award in 2012 for the debut recording, they are currently touring to support their follow-up disc titled Flyin’ Home From Memphis. The band is fronted by vocalist Tom “Big Son” Eliff and guitarist Mitch “Da Switch” Dow, who are continuing the long tradition of first-rate blues originating from Southern California. It is honest, straight-up West Coast blues with a little blues flavoring from Chicago and Texas, with Memphis soul, country blues and proto-rock ‘n’ roll thrown into the mix.

Admission for The Mighty Mojo Prophets is $10.00, but this is a Cascade Blues Association co-sponsored event, so show your current membership card at the door to receive a $1.00 discount. The perfect way to keep the blues rolling after the Waterfront Blues Festival has come to an end.

 

Duff’s Garage Welcomes Back John Nemeth

John Nemeth - photo by Jon Pearson

John Nemeth – photo by Jon Pearson

John Nemeth has surely come a long ways since his start in Boise, Idaho. He has definitely made a huge name for himself with his reputation as a harmonica player and one of the purest blues vocalists out there today. Besides taking his music around the world, what truly proves the point that Nemeth has made the big time is the fact that he has been nominated for nine Blues Music Awards over the past five years. Five of those this year alone including one for the ultimate prize, the B.B. King Entertainer of the Year. That in itself should be convincing that he is without doubt an artist to see in performance whenever the chance arises.

 

Well, here is the chance. John Nemeth returns to Portland for a show at one of his favorite venues in town, Duff’s Garage (1635 SE 7th), on Wednesday, July 17th at 9:00 pm. Touring in support of not just one, but two outstanding live CDs, Soul Live and Blues Live, you’re going to be able to hear songs from both discs and much more. This is a Cascade Blues Association co-sponsored event, where you can receive a $1.00 discount at the door by showing your current membership card. Admission is $12.00. This is one show you do not want to miss!

 

British Blues Legend John Mayall Returns To Portland

John Mayall - press photo

John Mayall – press photo

 John Mayall will be returning to Portland for one special night at the Alberta Rose Theatre (3000 NE Alberta St) on Tuesday, July 9th. Tickets are $25.00 advance and $28.00 at the door and are available at www.albertarosetheatre.com. Minors are allowed when accompanied by a parent or guardian. Showtime is 8:00 pm. Guitarist/vocalist Lipbone Redding will open the show.