Eddie Turner Brings His Guitar Mastery Back To Portland-Dec. 11th

Eddie__0059-600[1]“Otherworldly”, “scorching”, “polyrhythmic” and “chilling” have all been used to describe Eddie Turner’s guitar playing. His ethereal style is an amalgam of the Afro-Cuban rhythms of his heritage and the music that influenced him as a teenager: Chicago blues, jazz, r&b and psychedelic rock. A multi-nominee for the Blues Music Awards with numerous highly praised recordings, Eddie “Devil Boy” Turner had toured as a member of the Otis Taylor Band prior to taking on his successful solo career, Eddie Turner & The Trouble Twins. “If anybody ever went down to the Crossroads and let the Devil tune his guitar it was probably Eddie Turner. Man, you get chills every time the guy strikes a note! And the expressions he makes while he’s talking out each lick leave one convinced he’s channelling other-worldly ancestral demi-gods.”

Eddie Turner makes a much too rare appearance in Portland on Thursday, December 11th, at Duff’s Garage for a 9:00 pm show. Duff’s Garage is located at 2530 NE 82nd.

 

 

 

 

Blues Roots Triple Header Concert Healined By Joe McMurrian – Mississippi Studios- Dec. 28th

17-atxl[1]

Joe McMurrian

Here’s an exciting night happening at Mississippi Studios on Sunday, December 28th, featuring three fantastic popular blues-roots acts from the Portland area. Headlined by guitar/banjo master Joe McMurrian, the night will also present some old-time roots music by the Smut Jellyroll Society and The How Long Jug Band. Tickets are $8.00 – $10.00 and available through TicketFly.com. This is a 21 & over only show. Mississippi Studios is located at 3939 N Mississippi Avenue. Showtime is 8:00 pm.

Joe McMurrian & The Eclectica

Progressive blues/roots band from Portland, Oregon led by guitarist/songwriter Joe McMurrian. WOODBRAIN (formerly JMQ) is redefining the scope improvisational roots music while blending such influences as delta blues, jazz, rock, folk and just plain powerful sound.

Smut City Jellyroll Society

The Smut City Jellyroll Society plays music from the 20′s and 30′s, blues and early jazz from folks like Bessie Smith, Blind Blake and Blind Boy Fuller, Ma Rainey, Big Bill Broonzy, Harlem Hamfats and the Mississippi Sheiks among others. The sound is energetic and great to dance to, and the songs can be a little bit on the risque side. They also perform some original material in the style of the period.

The How Long Jug Band

Jug bands can play a variety of different genres, including blues, early jazz and ragtime. More than the songs they play, jug bands are defined by their use of homemade instruments — trading drums for a washboard, trumpet for kazoo and tuba for jug. The How Long Jug Band has been upholding this tradition with performances in and around Portland for four years. They recently released their second album, Skoodle Um Skoo.

Sister Mercy CD Release Concert – Dec. 14th

Sister MercySister Mercy is a band that has deep roots in the Portland music scene featuring former members of the local favorite act The Rose City Kings and introducing to the region’s blues scene the sensational voice of April Brown. Originally from Los Angeles, Brown has worked renowned rooms in that city including The Whiskey and The Roxy, as well as being trained in comedy.

You may have caught Sister Mercy this last summer at the Cascade Blues Association’s summer picnic and will remember the fiery and exciting set they delivered. The band has just finished recording their debut CD, titled Head Over Heels and to properly celebrate its creation they have booked a CD release party at The Star Theater, 13 NW 6th, on Sunday, December 14th, for a 7:00 pm show. Portland musician Jennifer Smieja opens the show. This is a 21 & over only show with tickets available through TicketBiscuit.com for $10.00 admission.

 

Second Season Productions Concert Series Begins In 2015

“It takes an audience to raise a musician,” notes local singer songwriter Ellen Whyte.  And to have the chance to reach out to new fans takes a fresh approach.  Knowing that many Oregon musicians have struggled to make the next step in their careers a “second season” may be the answer.

Second Season Productions is the brainchild of Ellen Whyte and John Mullin. It all started about 8 years ago at an outdoor concert on a warm summer evening for about 150 people in West Linn, Oregon. Ellen and her band at that time were performing all original music. The audience was loving it–hanging on every lyric sung and every note played. There was a special magical connection that Ellen had with this audience. While this had happened before and since, something clicked that night.

John and Ellen talked after the show and continued the discussion over the years about the idea of Portland having a concert series called, “Second Season Concerts.” The idea is to capture the attention of a demographic that enjoys a variety of styles of music, some of whom don’t get out to hear live music very often.

How then to connect the love of music with a passion for performing? Organizing this kind of a concert series with the artists who have paid their dues and want to share what they have learned with new fans is what’s in the works. Starting February 1, 2015, three bands will perform at each concert on the second Sunday of each month. The location will be at The Alberta Rose Theatre, 3000 NE Alberta St, Portland, OR. starting at 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm. Tickets will be very affordable. We encourage all ages to attend–think “Austin City Limits” meets Portland.

Here’s the thing though: We can’t do it without you. We need your help to make it happen. Please consider donating to: Second Season Productions, PO Box 356, Oregon City, OR 97045. Thank you!

The Second Season Productions Concert Series is sponsored by the Cascade Blues Association.

 

 

Stumptown Soul Holiday Spectacular- Dec. 19th

On Friday, December 19th, Dante’s will be hosting a special holiday party with a sensational line-up of some of Portland’s very best musicians representing genres ranging from soul, blues, jazz, zydeco, Cajun and more. The Stumptown Soul Holiday Spectacular will feature artists such as Ural Thomas & The Pain, Karen Lovely, Dan Berkerey (aka Kolvane), Reggie Houston, Steve Kerin, Peter Dammann, Michael Dean Damron, Jennifer Smieja and Kris Deelane.

Dante’s is located at 1 SW 3rd and showtime is 8:00 pm. Tickets are $10.00 and available through TicketBiscit.com.

 

 

 

The Randy Oxford Band Heading To The Birk- Dec. 13th

randy oxfordThe award winning Randy Oxford Band will be performing at The Birk on Saturday, December 13th. One of the Pacific Northwest’s most beloved and popular bands, they are led by trombonist Randy Oxford and feature the mighty guitar playing of Randy Norris, drummer extraordinaire Richard Sabol, bassist Leslie Eglash and the sensational vocals of Suze Sims. Recently The Randy Oxford Band won the regional competition in Eugene for the Rainy Day Blues Society earning them the right to represent that group at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN in January.

The Randy Oxford Band is always an exciting act and a not to miss show. The Birk is located at 11139 Hwy 202 in Birkenfeld, OR.  Showtime is 7:00 pm.

Jimmy Mak’s Presents Blue Christmas With Rae Gordon & Friends- Dec. 13th

,

Tis the Season of Soul at Jimmy Mak’s with the soulful sounds of Christmas, as they present Merry at Mak’s. It will be one glorious holiday happening on Saturday, December 13th, all starting at 8:00 pm and featuring some of the areas finest award winning musicians. They’re all strong forces in the Portland community with their own musical projects, but they’ll share the stage together for just one beautiful joyous night.

This show will include the Rae Gordon Band rhythm section with Gaddis Cavenah on guitar, Federico Pol on bass and Edwin Coleman III on drums . Plus, Louis Pain on Keys, Renato Caranto on Sax, with Lloyd Jones on guitar and vocals, and LaRhonda Steele and Rae Gordon add their voices to the Merry at Mak’s Christmas Chorus. Santa Claus will also be making an appearance.

Come down for the show that will help jump start your holiday cheer with some memorable performances with Holiday hymns that are both new and tried and true, sung by some of your favorite performers. Jimmy Mak’s is located at 221 NW 10th. General admission is only $12.00. Reservations for dinner highly recommended and will guarantee you a seat.  So go early and plan on getting your holiday cheer on. For more information go www.raegordon.com/merryatmaks.

16th Annual Northwest Rhythm & Blues Christmas Concert- Dec. 11th

Come out and celebrate a yearly holiday tradition with the 16th Annual  Northwest Women Rhythm & Blues Christmas Concert Gala. Join nine of the region’s finest blues women for an extravaganza on Thursday, December 11th at the German American Society, 5626 NE Alameda Street, for a night filled with good tidings and holiday cheer. Featured this year will be Karen Lovely, Lisa Mann, Sonny Hess, Vicki Stevens, Lady Kat, Rae Gordon, Ellen Whyte, LaRhonda Steele and Nayibe Rojas, along with Kelly Pierce on drums.  And best of all, this event will benefit The Candlelighters Organization’s Kids with Cancer program.

Tickets for this event may be purchased in advance at nwwomenblues.com for $20.00 general admission or for the dinner tickets for $37.50 with plenty of reserved seating available. Doors open at 6:00 pm. A silent auction and raffle will also be held.

CANCELLED: Blues Wonderland, A Christmas Special (Tracey Fordice & The 8 balls Dundraiser for Memphis is now planned)– Dec. 5th

December 5th at 8:00pm at The Lehrer –  will now be a fundraiser to help Tracey Fordice & the 8 balls get to Memphis to compete in the IBC on behalf of the Ashland Blues Society.  Playing that evening will also be Kenny Koflar & The Third Power as well as Missy and Mr. Baker.  A $10 donation is suggested at the door.

On Friday, December 5th, The Lehrer will present Blues Wonderland, A Christmas Special helping to usher in the holiday season with an all-star blues extravaganza. Performing at this event will be Cascade Blues Association and Oregon Music Hall of Fame member Lloyd Jones. Also appearing will be vocalists Karen Lovely and Lucy Hammond and all the artists will be backed by the 2014 Muddy Award winning Best New Act Tracey Fordice & The 8 Balls.

A real bargain at $15.00 for admission.  An even bigger bargain if you come with your sweetheart and receive the couple’s admission rate of $20.00. It all starts at 7:00 pm and runs until midnight. The Lehrer is located at 8775 SW Canyon Lane.

New Orleans Bluesman Guitar Lightnin’ Lee Makes a Rare Portland Visit – Dec. 18th

Guitar Lightnin' Lee -press photoGuitar Lightnin’ Lee, a multi-talented rhythm and blues purist, has defied all rational logic by assembling his band with a bunch of veteran rock and rollers half his age. His talent, lyrics, powerful voice, and boisterous personality match perfectly with the energetic drive of his backing band. Thus creating a supercharged blown out style of New Orleans rock and roll and blues.

Born in New Orleans, Lightnin’ had music all around him. Originally taught by New Orleans bluesman, Boogie Bill Webb, he also mentored under the legendary Jimmy Reed in Chicago, who passed on his style of Delta Blues via electrified Chicago. Back in New Orleans he played with greats like Fats Domino, Earl King, Ernie K-Doe, and Little Freddie King, absorbing everything he heard.

Guitar Lightnin’ Lee will be making a rare trip to Portland for a show at Duff’s Garage on Thursday, December 18th for a 9:00 pm show. Remember to bring your current CBA membership card as this is a Cascade Blues Association co-sponsored event.