Multi award winning Australian Singer/songwriter Peter D. Harper creates a heady mix of original world, blues & roots music, featuring soulful vocals, wailing harmonica and the haunting drone of the didgeridoo! By combining traditional and modern influences, borrowing from Western and World music, Harper has created a highly original take on the roots genre which many have labeled “World Blues”. His innovative use of electronic enhancement and feedback, breaks the traditional boundaries of the harmonica, giving his music its distinctive harmonics and effects. The powerful guitar sounds and the unique drone of the didgeridoo create raw yet eerie sonic textures, somehow sounding primal and contemporary at the same time. Harper is backed by his incredible Michigan based band “Midwest Kind”

Harper will appear at the Starday Tavern, 6517 SE Foster Road, on Friday, July 25^th. 9:00 pm. Admission is $10.00.

They may have moved from Inner SE Portland out to NE 82^nd, but that surely does not mean that Duff’s Garage is going to slow down presenting the best music available. July is certainly proof in that. As well as featuring their regular weekly shows and local musicians, Duff’s will be hosting seven incredible shows with national touring acts. And all of them are Cascade Blues Association co-sponsored events that members can receive a $1.00 discount just by showing their current membership card at the door.

Duff’s Garage is located at 2530 NE 82^nd. All shows begin at 9:00 pm. 21 & over only.

CANCELLED: Kara Grainger – July 3^rd
Eclecto Groove recording artist Kara Grainger will be appearing at Duff’s Garage on Thursday, July 3^rd. Originally from Australia, Grainger is renowned for her soulful vocals that moves between blues, soul and roots rock with a little funky R&B flavor thrown in from time to time. She is also a dynamic guitarist whose slide playing has been compared to Bonnie Raitt, and an exceptional songwriter who commands any size of stage with ease. Her most current recording, Shiver & Sigh, produced by David Z, drew rave reviews, placing her in demand for venues and festivals around the world. Admission for Kara Grainger is $10.00.

Richard Allen & The Louisiana Experience – July 4^th
Originally from Lafayette, Louisiana, Cajun Richard Allen is a third generation accordion player who plays songs that have been passed along through his culture. Now based in Seattle with his band The Louisiana Experience, they perform primarily Creole Zydeco, but include funk, blues, swing, R& B, traditional Mardi Gras, ZydeCajun and everything in between! This is dance music! Known as “The Godfather of Fun,” Richard Allen has appeared at festivals, clubs and special events throughout the Northwest and has played with Louisiana greats such as Chubby Carrier, Curley Taylor, Nathan Williams and other internationally known acts. Richard Allen & The Louisiana Experience will be making their debut performance at Duff’s Garage on Saturday, July 4^th for an 8:00 pm show, guaranteed to set of their musical explosion for the holiday.

Polly O’Keary & The Rhythm Method – July 10^th
Seattle-based bassist/vocalist Polly O’Keary has long been a Northwest favorite. Whether it is a member of Too Slim & The Taildraggers, The Randy Oxford Band, or leading her own outfit The Rhythm Method, O’Keary is a fiery performer who always demands attention on a stage. A three time recipient of the Washington Blues Society’s BB Awards for Female Vocalist of the Year, she has also taken home honors for Album and Songwriter of the Year. Her latest release, Compass, features the strong musicianship of guitarist Clint “Seattle Slim” Nonnemaker and fellow former Taildragger Tommy Cook on drums. Polly O’Keary & The Rhythm Method will be featured at Duff’s Garage on Thursday, July 10^th.

Andy T-Nick Nixon Band– July 11^th
Nashville bluesmen Andy T & Nick Nixon will be appearing at the Waterfront Blues Festival the weekend prior to this show at Duff’s Garage, which should leave you anxiously awaiting to catch more of this extraordinary act. Smooth voiced Nick Nixon recorded for Chess Records in the 1970s and has been a mainstay on the Nashville blues scene, working with The New Imperials for more than forty-five years. Andy “T” Talamantez toured with blues greats like Guitar Shorty and Smokey Wilson before relocating to Nashville and hooking up with Nixon. Their debut recording for Delta Groove was produced by famed guitarist Anson Funderburgh, who has often performed with the pair. That album Drink, Drank, Drunk garnered a Blues Music Award nomination and wide-spread raves, leading to their just released new disc, Livin; It Up. The AndyT-Nick Nixon Band play at Duff’s on Friday, July 11^th.

Frank Fairfield – Thursday, July 17^th
Frank Fairfield’s biography on his website describes him as “a young man and old time folk musician who plays fiddle, guitar and banjo while singing and hollering.” Listening to his music you may believe he comes from the hills of Appalachia, not his actual home in California. Still in his twenties, he has released two albums that feature songs that he discovered on old 78s that have become favorites alongside his own original recordings. A former street performer, his shows are spellbinding and steeped in Americana, having opened for acts like The Fleet Foxes and even the legendary guitarist Ry Cooder considers himself a fan of Fairfield. Frank Fairfield will be at Duff’s on Thursday, July 17^th.

Grady Champion – Wednesday, July 23^rd
Since winning the International Blues Challenge in 2010, Grady Champion has taken his soulful Mississippi blues around the country earning swarms of fans enchanted by his ever-present smile, seemingly endless energy and fueled by his captivating harmonica playing and strong voice. With a handful of albums to his credit, including the two-time Blues Music Award nominated Dreamin’ and a new recording slated for this summer, Grady Champion has been receiving airplay throughout North America, Europe and Asia and performs nearly 200 shows. Grady Champion has found a number of fans in Portland and they’re sure to be on hand at Duff’s on Wednesday, July 23^rd for what is certain to be another fun-filled night.

Too Slim & The Taildraggers – Wednesday, July 30^th
You may take the boy out of the Northwest, but you’ll never take his fan base there away. Since 1986, Too Slim & The Taildraggers have spent years pounding the stages from Spokane to Seattle to Portland, and then to all points across the country. Tim “Too Slim” Langford continues to land new fans with his searing slide guitar and blues power trio attack. He has numerous awards from the Inland Empire Blues Society, Washington Blues Society and the Cascade Blues Association, including a Muddy Hall of Fame status with the Cascade. Now based in Nashville, Langford, as a solo artist and with the band, have nineteen albums to their credit, including the new Anthology, a two-disc set of thirty-four classics and three new songs produced by Tom Hambridge. Too Slim & The Taildraggers never fail to pack every venue they play in Portland and they’ll be hitting the stage at Duff’s on Wednesday, July 30^th.

Scott Holt – Thursday, July 31^st
Guitarist Scott Holt may be best remembered for his ten year stint playing guitar alongside Buddy Guy in the legend’s band. A powerhouse guitarist in his own right, Holt has seven recordings under his own name and he states that though the blues is always at his core, he continues to grow as an artist every day and every note he plays is confidently and directly from his heart, with honest lyrics behind them. “If you listen,” Holt continues, “you can always hear the blues in the foundation of my playing, but the greatest bluesmen, like Buddy and Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf, were always changing, experimenting and evolving. I’ve tried to maintain that philosophy and attitude towards my own music, just create the music and let people call it what they want.” Scott Holt comes to Duff’s on Thursday, July 31^st.

Upcoming shows at Duff’s in August: The summertime fun does not end as July passes into August at Duff’s Garage. Watch for upcoming shows from Israel’s Ori Naftaly Band, Nikki Hill, The 44s and possibly Wayne Baker Brooks and Dave Herrero. Let the good time blues continue all summer long and throughout the year at Duff’s Garage.

An annual tradition in Portland every summer is a series of free concerts held in neighborhood parks throughout the city. Here is a list of several events taking place in July and August featuring acts that will appeal to blues lovers. All shows are at 6:30 pm, except for those held in the Washington Park Rose Garden Amphitheater which begin at 6:00 pm. For park locations, visit www.portlandoregon.gov.

July 9 – Karen Lovely – Dawson Park

July 15 – The Strange Tones – Mt Tabor Park

July 16 – Linda Hornbuckle Band – Willamette Park

July 28 – Robert Moore & The Wildcats – Sellwood Riverfront Park

August 5 – Norman Sylvester Band – Kenton Park

August 11 – Ural Thomas & The Pain – Washington Park Rose Garden Amphitheater

August 12 – Jerry Joseph & The Jack Mormons with Ashleigh Flynn – Washington Park Rose Garden Amphitheater

August 20 – The David Gerald Band (from Detroit) – Parklane Park

August 28 – Woodbrain – Berrydale Park