Fourth Annual Cascade Blues Association Rummage Sale- Sept. 6th

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CBA SALE 2014The Cascade Blues Association Rummage Sale returns this September on Saturday 6th, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm, once again being held at The Bomber Restaurant, 13515 SE McLoughlin Blvd. in Milwaukee. There is great food at The Bomber, so grab some breakfast or lunch while at the sale. And we’ll have live music happening throughout the day, too (bands TBA).

Last year Thanks to You, the annual CBA Rummage sale made over $2,000!  This year will be bigger and better.  There are three ways you can help again!

  1. Clean out your garage, your closets and your neighbor’s closets!….make sure they are home.  This is a great way to organize your home while giving back to your CBA.  Save your items at home and bring to the sale before 9:00 am on September 6th.  Smaller non furniture items can be brought to the September CBA general meeting.
  2. Help at the sale.  People needed to help unload items from a truck in the morning and load a charity truck after the sale.  Also, people to help during the day where needed.
  3. Spread the word!!!

This is a fun event where you get a chance to listen to some live music, browse some great deals, meet some new blues fans AND help make a difference!

Harmonica Madness Featuring Four Northwest Masters To Blow The Doors Off Duff’s- Sept. 27th

Duff’s Garage and Lounge is proud to present a night of Harmonica Madness with Steve Bailey and his Blue Flames.  Harmonicist Steve Bailey, along with legendary guitarist Curtis Smith, make a rare appearance in the Rose city, and promise to rock the house! They have been a fixture on the Northwest music scene since the 80s and have performed at Seattle clubs, parties and numerous festivals. Known for their intensity, great songwriting and world class musicianship, The Blue Flames play a danceable mix of original and traditional swing, shuffles and funky blues. The band has traveled to Europe, Israel and South America and has released 10 CD’s.

The night will start off at 7:30 with Arthur Moore’s Harmonica party. Arthur and guitarist Whit Draper open the show as a duo, and then they’ll pass the microphone to harp players in the crowd. So bring your harp and you will play! Following the harmonica party, Steve Bailey will present a workshop on playing the instrument and discuss his harmonica book.

At 9:00 Steve and the Blue Flames will rock the house with a set of electric blues.  Following the Blue Flames set, local harp greats Arthur Moore, Jim Wallace and Johnnie Ward with Whit Draper will join the band for a set of Harmonica Madness that you won’t forget! Duff’s Garage invites all blues harmonica fans to come down for a special show September 27th. Don’t miss it!

Duff’s Garage is located at 2530 NE 82nd Avenue. The Harmonica Madness showcase is a Cascade Blues Association co-sponsored event, so make sure to show your current membership card at the door for a $1.00 discount on admission.

Davina and the Vagabonds Return to Oregon for Two Shows- Sept. 23rd & 24th

Davina Sowers of Davina and the Vagabonds - photo by Greg JohnsonWith influences ranging from Fats Domino and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band to Aretha Franklin and Tom Waits, Davina and the Vagabonds is converting audiences one show at a time. So much more than just a blues act, their shows are filled with New Orleans charm, Memphis soul swagger, dark theatrical moments that evoke Kurt Weill, and tender gospel passages. Band leader Davina Sowers’ piano playing, voice and stage presence defy category in a different way. She has been compared to Etta James, Amy Winehouse, Janis Joplin, Billie Holiday and Betty Boop, but comparisons don’t suffice. Sowers is a true original. The band focuses more on an acoustical approach with bass, drums and horns accompanying Sowers. The band is currently celebrating their most recent release, Sunshine. Always a highly energetic show, Davina and the Vagabonds are taking the country and beyond by storm.

Davina and the Vagabonds will be playing two shows in Northwest Oregon in September. On Tuesday, September 23rd, the band will be at Duff’s Garage, 2530 NE 82nd, for a 9:00 pm show. Admission is $10.00. This is a Cascade Blues Association co-sponsored event, so show your membership card at the door and receive a $1.00 discount off admission. Then on Wednesday, September 24th, take a drive out to Birkenfeld, Oregon and catch an early 6:30 pm dinner show with Davina and the Vagabonds at The Birk, 11139 Highway 202. Two great opportunities to see one of the most entertaining up-and-coming acts playing today.

Hauscats Reunion Shows- Sept. 18th & Sept. 21st

The Hauscats - photo by Tony KutterIt doesn’t seem that long ago when Thursday nights meant heading out to the Stein Haus for an evening of blues from The Hauscats, the all-star group featuring Franck Goldwasser on guitar, Jim Wallace on harmonica and guitar, Jimi Bott on drums, and the late Sam Schlosser on bass. But as great things often do, the weekly show came to an end when the Stein Haus closed and then Franck Goldwasser moved back to California. So it is quite exciting to see a pair of shows reuniting the band while Goldwasser visits town.

The original surviving members will be on hand, joined by bassist John Neish who often collaborates with each artist. Two shows are scheduled. On Thursday, September 18th, The Hauscats will appear at Duff’s Garage, 2530 NE 82nd, for a 9:00 pm show. This is a Cascade Blues Association co-sponsored event, so show your membership card at the door for a $1.00 discount on admission. Then, on Sunday, September 21st, the band will be doing an early dinner show at 6:00 pm at The Birk, 11139 Highway 202 in Birkenfeld.

Come out to one or both shows and relive those stellar nights of first-class traditional blues the way it was meant to be played!

Blues In The Gorge Workshops At The Menucha Retreat & Conference Center

Here is a great opportunity to learn first-hand from some of the finest acoustic artists in the country, co-sponsored by the Cascade Blues Association. On October 2 – 5, at The Menucha Retreat & Conference Center located in the beautiful Columbia River Gorge in Corbett, Oregon, the Blues In The Gorge will take place. This is your  chance to watch, hear and learn up close alongside your fellow guitar enthusiasts with Pat Donahue, Mary Flower, Robert Jones and Suzy Thompson. This is limited to a small number of attendees, space is only open to 36 people so the instructors are able to spend quality time with everyone, so act quickly as the event is nearly sold out.

While at the event, you can explore the Menucha’s historical buildings and grounds, including their prohibition era speakeasy (now an espresso bar), enjoy homemade meals and the breathtaking views of the Gorge.  Overnight guests will stay and play in the Creevey Complex. Please visit the website to make sure space is still available and for prices to attend at http://menucha.org/programs/blues or visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Menucha.Blues.In.The.Gorge.

For those unable to attend these workshops, there will be a concert on Sunday, October 5th at the Alberta Rose Theater featuring all of the instructors. Showtime is 7:30 pm and minors are welcome when accompanied by a parent or guardian. Tickets are $25.00 in advance and $28.00 day of show. This concert is also co-sponsored by the CBA and you can receive a $2.00 discount on tickets at the door.

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

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Melody Ballroom, 615 SE Alder St., Portland
Wednesday, September 3rd 7:00 pm
Members always Free – Non-members $3.00
Opening Acoustic Set – The Mudbugs
Second Electric Set – Billee Reis with guests The Stevens Hess Band

Oh yeah, we’re going to kick September off with an exciting night of blues at the Cascade Blues Association’s General Membership Meeting, with good friends. In fact, for the next few months until the end of the year you will be seeing new faces and some very familiar ones, too. Always one of the best blues nights of every month, you’re not going to want to miss this one.

The MudbugsThe opening set for the meeting will be a newly formed acoustic duo called “The Mudbugs,” pairing one of Portland’s favorite couples, KG and Candy Jackson.

KG has been a Portland blues mainstay for over two decades and is currently the bass player for Michael Osborn and The Drivers.  KG also plays rhythm and lead guitars, and is a Muddy nominated Best Male Vocalist.  He is a prolific songwriter and many of The Mudbugs tunes will be originals.

Candy Jackson, on accordions and washboard, studied piano as a child.  She didn’t discover the accordion until her 50th birthday when she woke up on that day and declared to KG that she wanted to learn accordion.  KG realized she is a very determined gal when she puts her mind to something and watched her wrestle that accordion to the ground.  He invited her to join his band “KG Jackson and The Shakers” and she was honored to be part of that band’s Muddy nomination for Best New Band.  She has learned to play accordion at Centrum’s annual Blues Week up in Port Townsend under the tutelage of blues and zydeco greats such as Jude Taylor, Sunpie Barnes, Curley Taylor, and most recently Corey Ledet, and her mentor Washboard Chaz.

The Mudbugs have diverse musical interests and will play some Blues, Zydeco, Country, and all things Americana.  This is their debut performance so let’s give them a very warm and friendly CBA welcome!

For the second set of the night, we will present Billee Reis. Known for her passion and authenticity, When Billee started her own band in Montana she realized she was made for music and hit the ground running. Since then she has been performing regularly in Montana and Portland including being a finalist in the Colgate Country showdown as well as performing at several festivals. Billee sings Soul, Blues, Country, Rock, Jazz, Pop, R&B Billee Reisand is known for her unique ability to change her voice to suit the style of her music. Once she moved to Portland she joined forces with the highly regarded 12 Media Music Studio with producers Erick Gilbertson and Tony Coleman. She has also been selected for and looking forward to making her first television appearance as a featured musical act for a nationally syndicated network and then coming up this month she will be a guest feature for a radio interview where she will be airing some original pieces from the studio as well as performing live.

Joining Billee for her set will be CBA favorites and last year’s recipients of the Best New Act at the Muddy Awards, The Stevens Hess Band. With Sonny “Smokin’”Hess’ stellar guitar playing, Vicki Stevens hard blowing harmonica and vocals, Kelly Pierce on drums and Jim Hively on bass, this is an outstanding outfit that will not only shine in their own talents, but will draw out Billee’s incredible voice as well.

The Stevens Hess Band has been working steadily over this summer performing at venues and festivals all over the Northwest. And they’ve just completed a brand new CD titled Gold Mine that releases this month.

The music line-up for September is over the top, but don’t forget to pick up a drawing ticket when you come in so you’ll have the chance to win CDs, concert tickets and other prizes. And yes, we will also have the multi-CD winner take all package that you could potentially win by purchasing a $1.00 ticket. Or purchase as many as you’d like as all the money brought in by these ticket sales go to help the CBA in a variety of ways.

Don’t miss out on the meeting, it’s always the best way to start every blues month!

Gov’t Mule 20 Years Strong Tour At The Roseland- Sept. 23rd

Gov't Mule - press photoFew bands have a reputation for making music as consistently honest, organic and daring as Gov’t Mule. They’re the rare rock & roll group with an improvisational heartbeat that allows all four musicians to expand on the songs’ themes in non-formulaic ways. That quality distinguishes the finest jazz, blues and rock recordings of the ’50s and ’60s, but is largely absent in modern music. Led by guitarist and founding member Warren Haynes, one of the most formidable guitarists and vocalists of the modern era, he effortlessly cross-pollinates genres with unfurling solos that broil with passion in his distinctive, signature style.

Known for their dynamic performances that can rival the best jam bands out there, Gov’t Mule will be appearing at The Roseland Theater, 8 NW 6th Avenue, on Tuesday, September 23rd, for an 8:00 pm show. This is a 21 & over event only. Tickets are $28.50 for general admission on the floor, or $40.00 for reserved seating in the balcony, and can be purchased through www.TicketsWest.com.

AMP Presents Giants Of Jazz & Blues- Sept. 5th

The American Music Program will be holding a sensational night of music at The Winningstad Theater, on September 5th, titled “Giants Of Jazz & Blues.” The event will feature students and alumni of the nationally acclaimed program alongside jazz legends Terell Stafford, Benny Maupin and 2013 Grammy Award winner Dr. Thara Memory, who will also direct the night’s performances.

The program brings gifted and devoted young musicians in 7th through 12th grades from throughout the Portland metro area to work with recognized artists and providing opportunities to attend national music competitions. Many of the alumni have gone on successfully to well-known music schools like Berklee and Juilliard as well as many becoming renowned artists themselves.

The event is also a celebration of the release of their first CD, Live At The Gerding Theater: Nothin’ But The Blues, a performance held last summer that earned the group a key spot headlining at this year’s Waterfront Blues Festival.

Other artists scheduled to take part in this night of music include: Rebecca Kilgore, Andy Stokes, LaRhonda Steele, Tahirah Memory, Stan Bock, Renato Caranto, Nicole Glover, Dan Brewster, Louis Pain and Peter Piazza

The Winningstad Theater is located at 1111 SW Broadway. Showtime is 8:00 pm. Tickets are available through www.TicketTomato.com ranging from $55.00 – $105.00. Proceeds from the event will go to help fund the student’s opportunities to attend national competitions.

Cascade Blues Cruise Onboard The Portland Spirit To Help Send Rae Gordon To The IBC- Oct. 4th

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Rae Gordon - photo by Tony Kutter (use this shot with the J2M article)This past July, the Rae Gordon Band won the Cascade Blues Association’s Journey To Memphis competition at the Waterfront Blues Festival, earning the rights to represent the region at The Blues Foundation’s International Blues Challenge in Tennessee this coming January. Though the band did receive prize money to help them defray the expense of travelling to Memphis, they still need to raise more in order to take part in this competition happening on historic Beale Street over five days.

On Saturday, October 4th, you have the chance to help the band raise these funds, enjoying an afternoon of great blues music while cruising the Willamette River on The Portland Spirit. Every level of The Spirit will have live bands, featuring the Rae Gordon Band and past Journey To Memphis winners Lisa Mann and Franco & The Stingers, plus additional surprise guest appearances. If you have ever been onboard one of the blues cruises during the Waterfront Blues Festival, you already know that this is going to be a fun time.

The Cascade Blues Cruise will board from Tom McCall Waterfront Park in downtown Portland at 3:00 pm. Tickets are $25.00 and food and drink will be available for purchase on the boat. All ticket proceeds from this incredible afternoon of music and cruising on the Willamette will go toward sending the Rae Gordon Band to Memphis, providing airfare, lodging and meals for all of the band members.

To get tickets for the Cascade Blues Cruise and learn more about this incredible event that the Cascade Blues Association supports, please go to: www.raegordon.com/ibc

Help the Rae Gordon Band sail on to the International Blues Challenge in Memphis in January 2015!

Stevens Hess Band CD Release Party At Kennedy School- Sept 11th

Stevens Hess Band - press photoThe Stevens Hess Band has a brand new CD out titled Gold Mine, and they’re going to celebrate its release with a party at McMenamins Kennedy School on Thursday, September 11th. The new CD is full of original numbers, with Sonny Hess providing some of her strongest songwriting ever, with numbers that were created just for Vicki Stevens’ powerful vocals. These are heartfelt, “yes I have lived it” type of tunes that contain a little bit of everything from sadness, joy and overcoming life’s challenges.

This CD release party is open to all ages and to make it even more exciting, there is no cover charge. Plus, if this was not reason enough to celebrate, it is also Sonny Hess’ birthday!! Kennedy School is located at 5736 NE 33rd, and the show is scheduled to run from 7:00 – 9:00 pm.