On earlier releases, Hunter routinely alternated between singing hooks and rhyming over a beat, but on Third Eye Inspiration he wanted to focus on his talents as a singer and songwriter. Over nine tracks of contemporary R&B and neo-soul, Hunter touches on themes of intimacy, compassion and the vulnerability that comes with maturity, love, and doubt. This is grown folks’ music.
"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.
After releasing two singles (4/26/19 & 5/17/19) from this upcoming album, Michalangela will celebrate the release of the album with her full band, accompanied by Amber Sweeney opening up the night with her original music.
In 2006, after graduating from music school in Idaho, Michal moved to Portland where, with new friend/piano player/studio owner, Jonathan Swanson, she released her first album, “Portland Rain” (2008). As Michal performed in her own jazz combo and in multiple bands and projects, she became well-known for her versatility within the music community — while still shying away from putting her own stories on the page. Alex Milsted, a well-respected multi-instrumentalist and friend of Michal’s, approached her in 2015 about co-writing songs, and in 2017, they began performing them with a newly formed band.
As Michal’s confidence increased, she found herself faced with a new and jarring challenge. In August 2017, while driving home from a gig, Michal was a victim of a high-speed freeway hit-and-run accident. While she was spared major physical injuries, Michal struggled to reclaim her singing voice, which had been damaged in the accident. She spent the next few months resting her voice, cancelling gigs and fearing what she may have permanently lost. With the help of a Laryngologist & Voice Rehabilitation Specialist, however, Michal’s recovery is now complete. Her song “Un-Mute Me” describes this season and the desperation she felt. One can’t help but listen to the song and new album without feeling gratitude that Michalangela is indeed un-muted.
Over her 17-year musical career, Michalangela has worked alongside a myriad of the NW’s best musicians, including Farnell Newton (Jill Scott/Bootsy Collins) and Saeeda Wright (Prince), and in so doing has become a staple in the thriving Portland music scene. Some performance credits include opening for Robert Glasper in 2015 and singing with Liv Warfield at the Waterfront Blues Festival in 2016. Michalangela’s long-time accompanist Ben Darwish (Mike Posner, Natasha Beddingfield) said, "Michalangela is one of the most musical vocalists I’ve worked with. Her control and phrasing is second to none.”
After the successful funding of her September 2018 Kickstarter campaign, Michalangela headed to the studio to complete the soon-to-be released album, “As I See It.” The album is a collection of original music written by Michalangela and features co-writers Alex Milsted, Trent Baarspul and Steve Swatkins. Combining elements of neo-soul, R&B, jazz and rock, “As I See It” is an unexpected journey filled with lush harmony (including creative use of a vocal harmonizer), tight grooves, rhythmic complexity, and honest songwriting.
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
The Minidoka Swing Band (MSB) was formed in September 2007, as a tribute to Japanese Americans incarcerated during WWII. MSB is led by Portland Jazz artist Larry Nobori and features two outstanding vocalists Andy Streich and Nola Sugai Bogle. MSB relives the Big Band era of the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s with such artists as Benny Goodman, Glen Miller, Duke Ellington, Jimmy Dorsey and more. You’ll be tapping your toes or bring your dance shoes and hit the floor with some jitter bug!”
Songs have always been there for Moorea Masa (pronounced More-ray-uh Mah-sa), being raised in the musical mecca of Portland, Oregon. The daughter of an Italian immigrant father and an African-American mother born abroad, this singer/songwriter/guitarist has been making music for as long as she can remember. At fifteen, she was already looking for chances to perform by sneaking into local clubs, where she was lovingly adopted into the vibrant community of Portland musicians. Moorea then left to study at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts in England, and spent time living in a cave and soaking in flamenco music in Granada, Spain.
Returning home to the Pacific NW, Moorea began her music career in earnest. Not just writing and performing her own original material, she recorded with El Vy and The Decemberists, sang with soul legend Ural Thomas (who appears on her new album), and toured with Allen Stone. As a solo artist, she's garnered major praise from Emily King, Corinne Bailey Rae, Nick Waterhouse, and many more. Now 25 years old, Moorea has been touring with crooner KD Lang, and released her debut album to much praise this past May.
Shine A Light, the new record from Masa, comes from the depths of a sometimes-troubled childhood and expresses a belief that the unexamined life is not worth living. "I'm really sharing my whole heart in this album," says Masa. "This year I've really been digging deep into my history, my own learning lessons, and the state of the world. I feel like I took a light and shined it into all the darkness and beauty that I was too scared to look at." At times bright and hopeful, other times dark and mournful, the record (co-produced by Jeremy Most of Emily King fame) is an exquisitely-crafted gem that reveals a new gleaming facet upon every listen. Topics such as love, loss, hidden pain, and the politics of being a woman are all explored with deft musicianship, clever production, and Masa's flawless voice carrying the songs into our hearts and souls.
"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.
