PDX’s All-Female Jazz Quartet, Nica’s Dream, will perform on April 24th, 2019 at The Jack London Revue.
The jazz scene has long been dominated by the male persuasion but this is beginning to change as society in general becomes less male-controlled. Women tend to be expected to be better than their male counterparts to get the gig. In the case of Nica’s Dream, these musicians are arguably, just that.
Vocalist Anandi Gefroh began her career as a singer-songwriter, recording three albums of original songs. Her funk-rock tune “Enough of You” has received more than 3 million hits on YouTube and other songs have been used on television spots and in commercials. Jazz fans delight in Anandi’s full-spectrum repertoire, and Oregon Jazz Society critic George Fendel said of Anandi, “…a no nonsense, real deal jazz singer.” Drummer Rivkah Ross attended Broward College in Davie, Florida as a music major and studied jazz drum set and classical percussion. After moving to LA, she became a member of the Jeff Hershey and the Heartbeats, opening for bands like Dick Dale and the B-52s and performing all over Europe. She also performed and recorded with two unique all-female jazz bands, Lady Jazz and the Hard Bop Chicks. In 2016, Rivkah entered the Portland jazz scene. She is endorsed by Soultone Cymbals. Pianist Laura Cunard is a veteran of piano bars, showbands, dance bands, cabaret, jazz and classical ensembles which have led her from Seattle to Anchorage, to San Diego and Las Vegas. She teaches piano and voice at PSU and out of her Portland area studio Freewind Music Studio. Bassist Whitney Moulton started playing in high school. She lived in NYC, playing gigs as a sidewoman. She has released two recordings in her own name.
The Jack London Revue is located at 529 SW 4th in downtown Portland.
$7 advance tickets,
$10 at the door.
Doors open at 7pm.
Music at 8pm
"If this band appeared in New York City, they'd be a sensation!" That was guitar great--and one-time Mel Brown bandmate--George Benson's reaction after hearing the Mel Brown B-3 Organ Group open for him in 2003. This true all-star band has been a sensation for a long time—including a 20-year run on Thursdays at Portland’s Jimmy Mak’s (The Oregonian dubbed them “Jimmy Mak’s signature group”). A collective resume that reads like a "Who's Who" of NW jazz, blues, and soul, this group has the talent and confidence to be completely spontaneous--from their blistering solos to their improvised arrangements and segues.
MEL BROWN -- An Oregon icon, has been labeled the "Gentleman of Jazz," with a career spanning a half century. The city of Portland proclaimed June 22, 1989 "Mel Brown Day" in recognition of Mel's achievements as a musician and educator, receiving the Governor's Arts Award in 2002. Mel first made his mark as a Motown staff drummer, recording and touring with the Temptations, Smokey Robinson, and many others. He subsequently spent ten years working with Diana Ross and other pop acts before giving up the road in 1991 and returning home to his first love: jazz. Mel has been a fixture in Portland ever since, leading groups six nights a week at Jimmy Mak's and other venues when he isn't backing jazz artists like Joey DeFrancesco and Benny Golson.
DAN BALMER -- Widely considered the defining sound of contemporary jazz guitar in the Northwest. Described by the Los Angeles Times as "the model of what a contemporary guitarist should be," Dan is one of the most original and creative artists to come from the fertile Northwest music scene. Dan has played and recorded with a long list of jazz greats, has released six CDs of his own, is a jazz educator and a noted composer. Dan leads his own groups and performs with jazz artists including Diane Schuur, Benny Green, and Jeff Hamilton.
RENATO CARANTO -- described as "one of Portland's most soulful jazz saxophonists" by The Oregonian," Renato is one of the most versatile, accomplished, soulful saxophonists anywhere. Arriving from the Philippines in '81 with only his horn, Renato has built an enviable career in Portland. After gaining a foothold in the local scene, Renato became one of the most sought-after jazzmen in the NW and beyond. In recent years, he’s toured with Grammy-winning jazz artist Esperanza Spalding and late country legend Merle Haggard. Talk about versatility!
LOUIS "KING LOUIE" PAIN -- "Portland's boss of the B-3" (The Oregonian) hails from San Francisco, where he played and recorded with a wide variety of top musicians: Tower of Power guitarist Bruce Conte, Santana saxophonist Jules Broussard, Edwin Hawkins vocalist Dorothy Morrison, and B.B. King saxophonist Bobby Forte. After moving north in '86, Louis continued the trend. His 2016 cd with vocalist LaRhonda Steele, “Rock Me Baby,” was honored by Downbeat as one of the “Best Albums of 2016.” Louis’ knack for playing exactly what's needed to further the song has made him Portland's "first call" organist.
He's compelled by the idea that each song tells its own story, one that isn’t about him, but rather a ‘collective of artists’ – each song an example of what it sounds like when we work together rather than against one another. He aims to use the stage as a platform from which to reach across cultural divides – to connect seemingly disparate communities and encourage a deeper listening. He considers his choice of instrument, The Flugel Horn – traditionally used on battlefields – to be his way of ‘calling the troops’ – reaching beyond the social boundaries that we imagine separate us – extending an invitation to collaborate rather than combat.
Join us for a classic night of cocktails and cabaret with a rotating cast of phenomenal local and touring performers.
Contact Critical Hit Burlesque for reserved seating or large party rates.
The Jack London Revue is located at 529 SW 4th Ave, Portland
Follow the hardwood path through the Rialto Poolroom
"If this band appeared in New York City, they'd be a sensation!" That was guitar great--and one-time Mel Brown bandmate--George Benson's reaction after hearing the Mel Brown B-3 Organ Group open for him in 2003. This true all-star band has been a sensation for a long time—including a 20-year run on Thursdays at Portland’s Jimmy Mak’s (The Oregonian dubbed them “Jimmy Mak’s signature group”). A collective resume that reads like a "Who's Who" of NW jazz, blues, and soul, this group has the talent and confidence to be completely spontaneous--from their blistering solos to their improvised arrangements and segues.
MEL BROWN -- An Oregon icon, has been labeled the "Gentleman of Jazz," with a career spanning a half century. The city of Portland proclaimed June 22, 1989 "Mel Brown Day" in recognition of Mel's achievements as a musician and educator, receiving the Governor's Arts Award in 2002. Mel first made his mark as a Motown staff drummer, recording and touring with the Temptations, Smokey Robinson, and many others. He subsequently spent ten years working with Diana Ross and other pop acts before giving up the road in 1991 and returning home to his first love: jazz. Mel has been a fixture in Portland ever since, leading groups six nights a week at Jimmy Mak's and other venues when he isn't backing jazz artists like Joey DeFrancesco and Benny Golson.
DAN BALMER -- Widely considered the defining sound of contemporary jazz guitar in the Northwest. Described by the Los Angeles Times as "the model of what a contemporary guitarist should be," Dan is one of the most original and creative artists to come from the fertile Northwest music scene. Dan has played and recorded with a long list of jazz greats, has released six CDs of his own, is a jazz educator and a noted composer. Dan leads his own groups and performs with jazz artists including Diane Schuur, Benny Green, and Jeff Hamilton.
RENATO CARANTO -- described as "one of Portland's most soulful jazz saxophonists" by The Oregonian," Renato is one of the most versatile, accomplished, soulful saxophonists anywhere. Arriving from the Philippines in '81 with only his horn, Renato has built an enviable career in Portland. After gaining a foothold in the local scene, Renato became one of the most sought-after jazzmen in the NW and beyond. In recent years, he’s toured with Grammy-winning jazz artist Esperanza Spalding and late country legend Merle Haggard. Talk about versatility!
LOUIS "KING LOUIE" PAIN -- "Portland's boss of the B-3" (The Oregonian) hails from San Francisco, where he played and recorded with a wide variety of top musicians: Tower of Power guitarist Bruce Conte, Santana saxophonist Jules Broussard, Edwin Hawkins vocalist Dorothy Morrison, and B.B. King saxophonist Bobby Forte. After moving north in '86, Louis continued the trend. His 2016 cd with vocalist LaRhonda Steele, “Rock Me Baby,” was honored by Downbeat as one of the “Best Albums of 2016.” Louis’ knack for playing exactly what's needed to further the song has made him Portland's "first call" organist.
THERE ARE 2 SEPARATE TICKETED PERFORMANCES.
EARLY SHOW TICKETS-
https://www.ticketweb.com/event/tahirah-memory-asha-album-release-jack-london-revue-tickets/9202865?pl=jacklondon
LATE SHOW TICKETS-
https://www.ticketweb.com/event/tahirah-memory-asha-album-release-jack-london-revue-tickets/9202915?pl=jacklondon
Tahirah Memory "Asha" Album Release Party w/ DJ OG ONE
Ever relevant soul singer/songwriter Tahirah Memory is a Portland, Oregon native. Described as having "...a beautiful instrument, a truly warm and gorgeous sound..." audiences have been inclined to feel as though they come away from a performance post an intimate conversation rather than crowded venue. Born to a musician father, who would later win a Grammy, the musical influence was present from inception. The 2015 release, of Tahirah’s debut album “PRIDE”, created huge buzz amongst soul music lovers in Europe, with frequent radio play in the UK, topping the UK Soul Chart and garnering support elsewhere internationally, along with support from famed music outlet SoulBrother Records. Chris Wells of Echoes Magazine says her "depth of tone and easy elasticity is glorious to behold." Miss Memory has been seen recently touring domestically and internationally as a background vocalist for long time vocal icon KD
Lang, as well as Jarrod Lawson, and foremost as front-woman on her own successful sold out tours abroad. Currently, Tahirah is currently preparing for the impending release of her second solo record in early 2019.
http://www.tahirahmemory.com/
