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

Melody Ballroom, 615 SE Alder St., Portland
Wednesday, March 2, 7:00 pm
Members always Free – Non-members $3.00
Opening Acoustic Set – Tim Connor
Second Electric Set – Eric “Sugar” Larsen Group

Looking at the number of events happening in March it appears that this will be a very busy month on trying to keep up with all that is going on. But as always, the best way to start the month is by coming to the Cascade Blues Association’s membership meeting. It’s a great way to hear fantastic performances by local musicians and we’ll let you know on what’s happening out there in our area when it comes to blues music you should not miss out on.

Opening the month we will see the return of acoustic guitarist and songwriter Tim Connor. His incisive, emotionally telling, often witty observations on life and relationships have evoked comparisons to Lyle Lovett, Randy Newman, John Prine, and Elvis Costello, while his fingerpicked guitar playing is rooted in blues, ragtime, and country styles, blends in African influences absorbed during childhood years in Zambia, along with county, rock, soul, jazz, and Latin and Caribbean music.

“Songwriting is about telling stories,” Tim says, “and I’ve always thought of myself as a songwriter. I’m not a traditional musician really, but American songwriting is a tradition in its own right that has a symbiotic relationship with traditional folk music, going all the way back to Stephen Foster. I just want to be part of that tradition and add a few threads to the tapestry.”

Tim has released one CD titled Blues Between The Lines, with a second, Blues Period, in the works. He has performed throughout the region at farmers markets, taverns and coffee houses and folk festivals including the Northwest Folklife Festival. Tim enjoys playing his music pretty much anywhere he can find an audience.

The second set of the night will feature the Eric Sugar Larsen Group, a contemporary soul/blues band that invariably leaves every audience wanting more. Contemporary in their application yet extremely pop sensible, they weave masterfully their original music with that of the classic Chicago groove sound. For the past several years, the Eric Sugar Larsen Group has been considered one of the freshest sounds on the thriving Portland music scene.

Band leader Eric Larsen has been a part of the Portland music community since forming The Groove Authority back in 1984. With influences early on from Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and Freddie King, he is also the son of saxophonist Don Larsen of the legendary jazz maseter Stan Kenton’s band. Over his career Eric has traveled and performed in twenty-two countries.

Larsen is joined by the steady rhythm section of David Franklin Stump on bass and John Garcia on drums. This is a trio to be reckoned with and certain to bring a crowd to their feet heading for the dance floor.

And don’t forget to pick up your free drawing ticket when you enter the Melody for your chance to win great CDs or other great prizes. Can it get any better? Good music and good friends — the perfect way to start out every month.