Calendar

Notes on Seating: The Jack London provides two options for ticket purchasers: Reserved Seating and General Admission. Reserved Seating is purchased on a table-by-table basis in the central part of the venue and is only available for select shows. Both Tables AND General Admission seating is limited on a first come first serve basis

 

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.

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. 

 

Effective March 12, 2022 masks will no longer be required for patrons but will be strongly encouraged when not actively eating or drinking. Effective March 22, 2022 proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test will no longer be required for entry. These policy changes will be in effect until further notice.

“Powerful, rollicking and magical…virtuoso harp, wildly eccentric guitar, sly, streetwise vocals and great songs” –Blues & Rhythm “These are serious musicians having a hotter than hot good time. It’s tough to stay in your seat when Estrin and his musical cohorts get cooking.” –Chicago Sun-Times Wildly fun, musically fearless and bursting with bravado, 2018’s Blues Music Award- winning Band of The Year Rick Estrin & The Nightcats have created one of the blues’ most instantly recognizable sounds and no-holds-barred styles. Featuring the world-class talents of harmonica master, songwriter and vocalist Rick Estrin, guitar wunderkind Chris “Kid” Andersen, keyboard wizard Lorenzo Farrell and dynamic drummer Alex Pettersen, Rick Estrin & The Nightcats serve up sharp and incisive original blues and gritty roadhouse rock ‘n’ roll. With his wily and unforgettable original songs and his hipster, street-smart vocals, no one on the blues scene writes or sings like Rick Estrin. No one looks like him either, as Estrin is always dressed to the nines, sporting his trademark pencil-line mustache and pompadour haircut. DownBeat says, “Rick Estrin sings and writes songs like the brightest wise guy in all of bluesland and blows harmonica as if he learned at the knee of Little Walter.” Live, the band is simply unbeatable. They deliver a high-energy show capable of bringing any audience to its feet.” According to Living Blues magazine, they play “captivating, powerful blues and roots rock with a wickedly cool and otherworldly twist on tradition...intelligently conceived and executed...hugely entertaining. “ Rick Estrin & The Nightcats’ fourth Alligator album, Groovin’ In Greaseland, features 13 original songs, 11 by Estrin (including one co-written with Andersen), and one each by Andersen and Farrell. From the true-life wisdom of The Blues Ain’t Going Nowhere (the 2018 BMA-winning Song of The Year) to the rambunctious Hot In Here to the humorous, semi-autobiographical Dissed Again to the hard luck Living Hand To Mouth, the album delivers one winning performance after another. The band’s dazzling performances bring the songs to life as richly detailed characters spill their secrets and share their stories. One listen makes it clear that this is one of the tightest and most original groups in any genre, constantly inspiring each other to new heights. Groovin’ In Greaseland was produced by Andersen and Estrin and recorded at Andersen’s soon-to-be legendary Greaseland Studio in San Jose, California. According to Estrin, “Kid is the best producer I’ve ever worked with. And the fastest.”

KILTRO
Kiltro is the brainchild of Chilean-American singer songwriter Chris Bowers Castillo. Conceived in the lively, bohemian port city of Valparaiso, Chile, Kiltro draws much of its thematic energy from Latin-American folk artists like Victor Jara, Atahualpa Yupanqui, and Inti-Illimani, making for an emotive and stylistically unique merging of older genres.

LUCKY SPELL
Opening up for Houndmouth on tour and performing his album Only Coming Down, Kyle Emerson was enjoying relative success with his solo project in 2019. But a year later, his father’s cancer diagnosis, his relationship ending, and a six month bender changed everything. After sobering up, a new project was born out of collaboration with songwriter and producer, Alex Katsaropoulos, that felt more upbeat and optimistic, aptly titled Lucky Spell. King Lonely Boy and Castle are about discovering a new voice, found by accepting parts of yourself for the first time, rather than amputating them. Lucky Spell is meant to be played in your car with the windows down, on California’s Pacific Coast Highway, during a sunset across the ocean, where everything feels just right for a moment.

Ticket holders for this show receive free admission to Jack London’s Burly-Q Revue, Downtown Portland’s hottest late-night cabaret - featuring the finest dancers from the Rose City, the West Coast and beyond!

Join us at the Jack London for our our late-night cabaret spectacular, hosted by the Mad Marquis and featuring some of the finest dancers from the Rose City and beyond. Treat yourself to a sensational evening of sultry and exotic delights, liberally spiced with old-fashioned spontaneous fun, all hosted by the Mad Marquis himself! The show starts after the evening's musical performance.

Notes on Seating: The Jack London provides two options for ticket purchasers: Reserved Seating and General Admission. Reserved Seating is purchased on a table-by-table basis in the central part of the venue and is only available for select shows. Both Tables AND General Admission seating is limited on a first come first serve basis

 

A native Chicagoan, Isaiah Sharkey spent his early years living in Cabrini Green.  Perhaps as a precursor to his future career, he lived with his parents in a row house on a street that is now named for Curtis Mayfield.

Coming from a musical household, Isaiah was introduced to music at the age of four.  He decided he wanted to be a guitarist and asked his parents to purchase one.  Shortly thereafter, Isaiah started learning music under the close introduction of his father, Michael Sharkey. He would learn about different musical genres/styles from gospel music, which came from growing up in the church, to jazz, R&B, blues, rock and funk music.  It wasn't long after that Isaiah would become noticed by other musicians in the Chicago area for being a young, new talent.  Soon after, he started doing concerts in the church as well as sitting in local jazz club jams.

At the age of 14, Isaiah, along with his father and brothers, released their first album entitled, "Skyliner." This album displayed Isaiah's ability to play covers and some transcriptions from greats like Wes Montgomery and George Benson.

Subsequently, he started his recording career and served as a sideman for gospel artists such as Smokie Norful, Donald Lawrence and Vanessa Bell Armstrong.  He also toured as lead guitarist with Ronald Isley and recorded two albums with him. 

In 2009, Isaiah started working with artist D'Angelo on his third album, Black Messiah, which won the 2015 Grammy Award for Best R&B Album.  Based on his work and contribution to the project, Isaiah received his first Grammy.

Isaiah also has worked, recorded, and toured with several world-renown and Grammy award winning artists including John Mayer, Patti LaBelle, Christopher Martin of Coldplay, Paul Simon, Corrine Bailey Rae, Mike Posner, Keith Urban, Brian McKnight, Boyz II Men, Lalah Hathaway, Raphael Saadiq, Chris Dave and the DrumHedz, Regina Bell, Ruben Studdard, Lupe Fiasco, Kelly Price, Faith Evans, Rance Allen, The Winans, The Clark Sisters and many others.

Isaiah Sharkey is poised to take center stage as he fuses together his background in rock, gospel, jazz, R&B, blues, and funk to create an original sound with an unmistakable dose of soul.  His highly anticipated debut album Love.Life.Live. was released in September of 2017 and earned him the iHeart Radio Artist of the Month Award in November for his single “It’s a Shame” featuring  DJ Jazzy Jeff.   His sophomore album Love is the Key: The Cancerian Theme was released on June 21, 2019.

Shamarr Allen is the definition of New Orleans! Hailing from the Lower 9th Ward of New Orleans, Allen has influences in jazz, hip-hop, rock, funk rhythms, blues and country. He is the lead vocalist and trumpeter of his band “Shamarr Allen & The Underdawgs.” In addition to performing with his band, Allen has collaborated with many renowned artists around the world such as Willie Nelson, Patti LaBelle, Galatic, Harrick Connick Jr, and Lenny Kravitz, to name a few. He is a sought after artist for festivals and venues around the world. In addition to displaying his skills on the front-line as a lead performer, Allen is also a music composer, writer, and producer. With a scintillating and unique sound, look, and exemplary talents, Shamarr Allen transcends musical boundaries. He is the True Orleans experience!

Notes on Seating: The Jack London provides two options for ticket purchasers: Reserved Seating and General Admission. Reserved Seating is purchased on a table-by-table basis in the central part of the venue and is only available for select shows. Both Tables AND General Admission seating is limited on a first come first serve basis

 

Notes on Seating: The Jack London provides two options for ticket purchasers: Reserved Seating and General Admission. Reserved Seating is purchased on a table-by-table basis in the central part of the venue and is only available for select shows and is still first come first serve. General Admission seating is limited on a first come first serve basis.

Michelly Cordova and Yukako Yamano bring you a re-mix of jazz standards on their cross-country tour of the US. Inspired by 7 years of collaboration and a love of jazz standards. These ladies are going back to their musical roots with dynamic performances using nothing more than vocals and piano. With their seemingly effortless talent, Cordova & Yamano bring you a blend of jazz and blues with a modern touch.

Yamano and Cordova have been on jazz stages all over the world. These Sisters of Jazz met one night seven years ago at a Los Angeles dive bar. In amazement, Cordova watched Yamano play with such force that she wrecked the digital piano, the perfect end to a great performance! Cordova knew she’d found an artist that matched her in talent and power.  Since then, the two have worked together and toured the USA. With the pandemic restrictions preventing them from working in-person, each was still able to continue creating music. Yamano performed in Africa and the Middle East, while Cordova worked on new music. This commanding jazz duo want to share their recharged jazz standards with you.

2022 started with a reunion show as Michelly Cordova released a funk/soul inspired single, 'I'm in Love'. Cordova’s next single, a pining Spanish guitar and sax ballad, is expected this to release later this year. Yukako Yamano started the year with the release of her new EP 'Dubai Suite', a collection of piano pieces inspired by her Dubai concerts. With excitement and anticipation, Michelly Cordova and Yukako Yamano wrap up 2022 with a US Tour of remixed jazz standards that’ll energize you. This powerful and dynamic jazz duo bring you a great night of music that is warm and entertaining.

 

Join us at the Jack London for our our late-night cabaret spectacular, hosted by the Mad Marquis and featuring some of the finest dancers from the Rose City and beyond. Treat yourself to a sensational evening of sultry and exotic delights, liberally spiced with old-fashioned spontaneous fun, all hosted by the Mad Marquis himself! The show starts after the evening's musical performance.

Object Heavy is Northern California’s hardest hitting Soul sensation. While based in Arcata, this cast of musical characters has made waves up and down the North Coast of California, the Pacific Northwest, and various parts of the United States, as well as being voted best band in Humboldt, two out of three years nominated.

Fast forward to where Object Heavy has hit the studio, cooked up a new album produced by Kelly Finnigan(Monophonics), showing off their progressive yet soulful sound. This will be released in the coming months of 2022.

With powerhouse vocalist Richard Love at the helm, and backed by Brian Swislow(keys), Leo Plummer(gtr), Ian Taylor(bass), and Sam Kaplan-Good(drums), the band is fully prepared for whatever’s next, leading into the future in celebration of their new album, “Love & Gravity”.

Object Heavy’s magnetic blend of classic Cadillac soul, effortlessly contagious dance grooves, vocal harmonies and blazing musicianship is ripe for a live experience you don’t want to miss.

With an acclaimed history as the front-man and creative force behind FLOATER, (a 2017 inductee into the Oregon Music Hall of Fame), Robert and his players are based in Portland, Oregon, and has been an influence in the Northwest music scene for over 20 years. 

Performing with Robert for this show:
Mark Powers (drums)
David Langenes (guitar)
Skip vonKuske (cello)

Ticket holders to this show are invited to The Jack London Burly-Q Revue immediately following Robert Wynia and The Sound. 

Ticket holders for this show receive free admission to Jack London’s Burly-Q Revue, Downtown Portland’s hottest late-night cabaret - featuring the finest dancers from the Rose City, the West Coast and beyond!
 

Join us at the Jack London for our our late-night cabaret spectacular, hosted by the Mad Marquis and featuring some of the finest dancers from the Rose City and beyond. Treat yourself to a sensational evening of sultry and exotic delights, liberally spiced with old-fashioned spontaneous fun, all hosted by the Mad Marquis himself! The show starts after the evening's musical performance.

Join us at JLR and help us wish a fine farewell to Jarrod Lawson with the Mel Brown B3 Organ Group!

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.

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. 

Notes on Seating: The Jack London provides two options for ticket purchasers: Reserved Seating and General Admission. Reserved Seating is purchased on a table-by-table basis in the central part of the venue and is only available for select shows. Both Tables AND General Admission seating is limited on a first come first serve basis
 

Gunhild Carling is a Swedish jazz musician, singer, and songwriter. A multi-talented musician, Carling can play several different musical instruments, can sing, and dance. Carling was born in Gothenburg, Sweden. She is the daughter of Hans Carling and Aina Carling, both accomplished jazz musicians.

Besides her parents and herself, Gunhild Carling's siblings are all also accomplished musicians. Carling and her family perform around the world as The Carling Big Band, with Gunhild headlining the group. In addition to playing jazz music at their shows, they perform acrobatic stunts and other talents. Carling also guest performs with orchestras and choirs around the world on her own.

Notes on Seating: The Jack London provides two options for ticket purchasers: Reserved Seating and General Admission. Reserved Seating is purchased on a table-by-table basis in the central part of the venue and is only available for select shows. Both Tables AND General Admission seating is limited on a first come first serve basis

Notes on Seating: The Jack London provides two options for ticket purchasers: Reserved Seating and General Admission. Reserved Seating is purchased on a table-by-table basis in the central part of the venue and is only available for select shows. Both Tables AND General Admission seating is limited on a first come first serve basis

PDX Jazz 2022 Fall Season 

KCL, the iconic, genre-bending powerhouse trio is back! led by visionary guitarist Wayne Krantz and featuring drummer Keith Carlock (Steely Dan, Sting, John Mayer) and bassist Tim Lefebvre (Tedeschi Trucks Band, David Bowie).

“this trio is a law unto itself, unfolding in real time, transcendent, visceral and totally in the moment. This kaleidoscopic performance will resonate for days on end.” Jazzwise

KCL held a Thursday-night residency at NYC’s 55 Bar throughout the first decade of the new millennium. Cutting live recordings from the club and posting them online in the early days of the internet and touring only sporadically, KCL developed a thoroughly original style of interactive group improvisation inspired in part by the great Miles Davis Quintet of the 60s, but played out in spontaneously generated contexts of heavy funk, rock and electronica instead of straight-ahead swing.

As other instrumental bands of the day dabbled in derivative fusion and retro-jazz, KCL became an underground phenomenon, cultivating an international following of devoted fans of every stripe looking for an alternative creative music that served the mind, body, and spirit. Relentlessly grooving, always innovative, never complacent - KCL made contemporary music that resonated beyond category.

Other sideman obligations sidelined the band soon after their Abstract Logix release, “Krantz Carlock Lefebvre,” but their reputation continued to expand globally through fan circulation of the band’s many live videos and recordings. Now, in 2022, KCL re-ignites for their Golden Hours Tour - Join us.

Since 1998, the Western swing-gypsy jazz trio Hot Club of Cowtown has traveled the world bringing their own brand of magical musical chemistry to audiences far and wide. Along with Elana James, guitarist Whit Smith and bassist Jake Erwin are equal partners in this original marriage of gypsy-jazz-inspired by the music of Django Reinhardt — which accounts for the “Hot Club” portion of their name — with the hoedowns, traditional tunes, and Western swing-inspired music of Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys, represented in the “Cowtown” of their name. They have created a legacy of the preservation of musical traditions that have often been overlooked by the mainstream and alternative music worlds. Even Americana and roots enthusiasts have only scratched surface of the multitude of musicians, past and present, who continue to inspire the Hot Club of Cowtown.

“This music may be more prevalent now than fifteen years ago,” says James. “I don’t think as much of this was going on when we first got together–the seamless blending of Western swing tunes and hot jazz standards a la Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grapelli.” While the merging of gypsy jazz with Western swing sounds natural when listening to Hot Club of Cowtown, in the beginning the fusion of the two styles seemed more unorthodox than it does now. “We just have always listened to old recordings and get inspired by that endless trove of astonishing performances. Mixing these genres together has always just been such a natural fit. Over the years other ‘hot club’ bands come and go but I guess generally we may be the most visible touring Western swing power trio out there.”

The band has a long list of accomplishments since their first album, Swingin’ Stampede, first appeared in 1998 on HighTone records. Most notably, they are marking their 20th anniversary during the 2017-2018 touring season. They have released nine studio albums and they are among the youngest members ever to have been inducted inot the Texas Western Swing Hall of Fame. A considerable accomplishment for a band that have migrated their way from New England and the Midwest by way of  New York City. They have most recently been named Western Swing Group of the year in 2015 at the Ameripolitan Music Awards (a new genre created by Dale Watson to recognize roots-influenced bands).

Notes on Seating: The Jack London provides two options for ticket purchasers: Reserved Seating and General Admission. Reserved Seating is purchased on a table-by-table basis in the central part of the venue and is only available for select shows. Both Tables AND General Admission seating is limited on a first come first serve basis

Seth Walker is often cited as one of the most prolific contemporary Americana artists on the scene today. He’s a multi-dimensional talent who combines a gift for melody and lyric alongside a rich, Gospel-drenched, Southern-inflected voice with a true blue knack for getting around on the guitar. His new studio album, I Hope I Know, produced by Jano Rix of The Wood Brothers, and a string of singles, including “We Got This,” “Spirits Moving” and a cover of Van Morrison’s classic “Warm Love” further build upon this reputation.

In 2021, Walker added published author to his oeuvre with his first memoir, ‘Your Van Is On Fire.’ A riotous and charming melange of a touring musician’s life, the book is comprised of many short essays, poems and paintings he'd accumulated over a near 30-year career. Written during the pandemic lockdown, Walker offers a first hand account of an artist in perpetual motion who’s dedicated his life to chasing the muse wherever it may lead.

Growing up on a commune in rural North Carolina, the son of classically trained musicians, Seth Walker played cello long before discovering the guitar in his 20s. When his introduction to the blues came via his Uncle Landon Walker, who was both a musician and disc jockey, his fate was forever sealed. Instantaneously, Seth was looking to artists like T-Bone Walker, Snooks Eaglin, and B.B. King as a wellspring of endless inspiration. The rest is history. He's released ten albums, broken into the Top 20 of the Americana Radio Charts, reached No. 2 on the Billboard Blues Album Chart and received praise from NPR, American Songwriter, No Depression and Relix, among others.

In addition to extensive recording and songwriting pursuits, Seth is consistently touring and performing at venues and festivals around the world. Along with headline shows, he's been invited to open for The Mavericks, The Wood Brothers, Raul Malo, Paul Thorn and Ruthie Foster, among others.

Seth Walker is currently based in Asheville, NC after previously residing in Austin, New Orleans and Nashville. He’s used those experiences wisely, soaking up the sounds and absorbing the musical lineage of these varied places. With a bluesman’s respect for roots and tradition, coupled with an appreciation for—and successful melding of—contemporary songwriting, Seth sublimely incorporates a range of styles with warmth and grace. Perhaps Country Standard Time said it best: “If you subscribe to the Big Tent theory of Americana, then Seth Walker –with his blend of blues, gospel, pop, R&B, rock, and a dash country—just might be your poster boy.”

 

Outer Orbit is a funk soul collective led by Galen Clark (Subtonic, Anna Tivel) and fronted by vocalist Sarah Clarke (Con Brio, Dirty Revival). The band features an all star lineup of Tyrone Hendrix (Prince, Portland Cello Project), Damian Erskine (Skerik Band, Peter Erskine), Peter Knudsen (Ghost-note, Mono Neon) and Mike Elson (Swatkins, Blitzen Trapper) and works with a variety of special guests. Outer Orbit brings original burning soul and pocket heavy funk while drawing on a range of influences from Sly Stone and The Meters to Aretha Franklin and Emily King.

Notes on Seating: The Jack London provides two options for ticket purchasers: Reserved Seating and General Admission. Reserved Seating is purchased on a table-by-table basis in the central part of the venue and is only available for select shows. Both Tables AND General Admission seating is limited on a first come first serve basis.

From his beginnings as one of Chicago’s most thrilling young trumpeters, to his current status as an internationally renowned musician, composer and bandleader, Marquis Hill has worked tirelessly to break down the barriers that divide musical genres. Contemporary and classic jazz, hip-hop, R&B, Chicago house, neo-soul—to Hill, they’re all essential elements of the profound African-American creative heritage he’s a part of. “It all comes from the same tree,” he says. “They simply blossomed from different branches.”

That mission to bring styles together, complemented by Hill’s absolute mastery of his instrument, is a through line connecting his many achievements. It can be heard on his latest album, Modern Flows Vol. II, with its seamless blend of jazz interplay, hip-hop-infused rhythms and socially conscious spoken-word. It’s integral to The Way We Play, his Concord Jazz debut from 2016, where Hill and his musicians reinvent jazz standards using their generation’s wide- ranging influences. It marks the four records Hill self-released before November of 2014, when he won the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz competition and became a presence on the global scene virtually overnight. And it defines the revelatory live dates by Hill’s longtime working group, the Blacktet, which the Chicago Tribune called “a remarkably polished, immensely attractive ensemble.”

For Hill, playing and listening without limits has long been an instinct. “It comes naturally; that’s the way I hear the music,” he says. “I came up in a household where my mom played Motown, R&B, Isley Brothers, Barry White, Marvin Gaye. Then I received my first jazz record, by Lee Morgan, and that was added to the collection. ... I truly believe that the music is all the same.”

Born in Chicago in 1987 and raised on the city’s culturally rich South Side, Hill began playing drums at age 4, before switching to trumpet in the 6th grade. He attended high school at Kenwood Academy, excelling in its revered jazz-performance program, and was mentored by Bobby Broom, Willie Pickens, Tito Carrillo and other Chicago greats through the Ravinia Jazz Scholars program. Hill earned his bachelor’s in music education from Northern Illinois University and his master’s in jazz pedagogy from DePaul University. During college he made gigs and sessions around Chicago, jamming with and absorbing wisdom from the likes of Fred Anderson, Ernest Dawkins and Von Freeman. Even then, Hill was known in town as a stunningly gifted trumpeter with a soulful, highly textured tone. His sound is now somehow both deeply distinctive and a tour through jazz-trumpet history, evoking the high-drama stillness and space of Miles; the undeniable virtuosity of Clifford Brown and Freddie Hubbard; the groove- savvy phrasing of Lee Morgan and Donald Byrd; and much more.

From his beginnings as one of Chicago’s most thrilling young trumpeters, to his current status as an internationally renowned musician, composer and bandleader, Marquis Hill has worked tirelessly to break down the barriers that divide musical genres. Contemporary and classic jazz, hip-hop, R&B, Chicago house, neo-soul—to Hill, they’re all essential elements of the profound African-American creative heritage he’s a part of. “It all comes from the same tree,” he says. “They simply blossomed from different branches.”

That mission to bring styles together, complemented by Hill’s absolute mastery of his instrument, is a through line connecting his many achievements. It can be heard on his latest album, Modern Flows Vol. II, with its seamless blend of jazz interplay, hip-hop-infused rhythms and socially conscious spoken-word. It’s integral to The Way We Play, his Concord Jazz debut from 2016, where Hill and his musicians reinvent jazz standards using their generation’s wide- ranging influences. It marks the four records Hill self-released before November of 2014, when he won the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz competition and became a presence on the global scene virtually overnight. And it defines the revelatory live dates by Hill’s longtime working group, the Blacktet, which the Chicago Tribune called “a remarkably polished, immensely attractive ensemble.”

For Hill, playing and listening without limits has long been an instinct. “It comes naturally; that’s the way I hear the music,” he says. “I came up in a household where my mom played Motown, R&B, Isley Brothers, Barry White, Marvin Gaye. Then I received my first jazz record, by Lee Morgan, and that was added to the collection. ... I truly believe that the music is all the same.”

Born in Chicago in 1987 and raised on the city’s culturally rich South Side, Hill began playing drums at age 4, before switching to trumpet in the 6th grade. He attended high school at Kenwood Academy, excelling in its revered jazz-performance program, and was mentored by Bobby Broom, Willie Pickens, Tito Carrillo and other Chicago greats through the Ravinia Jazz Scholars program. Hill earned his bachelor’s in music education from Northern Illinois University and his master’s in jazz pedagogy from DePaul University. During college he made gigs and sessions around Chicago, jamming with and absorbing wisdom from the likes of Fred Anderson, Ernest Dawkins and Von Freeman. Even then, Hill was known in town as a stunningly gifted trumpeter with a soulful, highly textured tone. His sound is now somehow both deeply distinctive and a tour through jazz-trumpet history, evoking the high-drama stillness and space of Miles; the undeniable virtuosity of Clifford Brown and Freddie Hubbard; the groove- savvy phrasing of Lee Morgan and Donald Byrd; and much more.

Nicknamed “the bluesman of Morocco”, Majid Bekkas is originally from Zagora, a small town in the south of Morocco.

Majid was born and still lives in Salé near Rabat (Morocco). He has his roots in the North African music and a long experience in blues and jazz which makes him a unique musician who masters both traditional and modern music.

Majid embarked on his musical career in 1972 playing banjo in Moroccan local groups. Over the years, the master Ba Houmane, in Salé, initiated him into Gnawa (or Gnaoua) music. Then he studied classical guitar and oud at the National Conservatory of Music and Dance in Rabat where he later taught classical guitar.

In the 80’s, he discovered the blues and African music by listening to John Lee Hooker, Aly Farka Toure, Fela Kuti and Salif keita. In the meantime, Majid was delving deeper in the Blues and Soul, playing in his own group as a guitarist, keyboard player and singer.

In the nineties, he created the Gnaoua Blues Band, splitting his time between compositions, recordings and touring.

In 2001, his record « African Gnaoua Blues » became a real reference in Gnaoua music and its relationship with the blues.

In 2003, he met the well-known German pianist Joachim Kuhn and the Spanish drummer Ramon Lopez. Together, they formed a great trio, recorded 5 albums for « Act music » in Germany and performed in a lot of jazz and world music festivals for more than 15 years.

In 2006, Majid decided to tour and to record an album (Passeport to Morocco) with the famous German saxophonist Klaus Doldinguer. Majid also played with Archie Shepp and Pharoah Sanders to name a few.

His record « Makenba »in 2010 with Louis Sclavis, Minino Garay and Aly Keita was selected by « Songlines »magazine, as the best Album Gnaoua fusion.

In 2012, he performed for the first time in the US as part of the Caravanseraï program which is a groundbreaking cultural exchange program produced by Arts Midwest on behalf of its fellow U.S. Regional Arts Organizations.

In 2015, Majid received the price of the « Academy Charles Cros » in Marseille (France) for his album « Al qantara » and in 2018, the « Visa for Music Award» in Rabat, Morocco, for his career achievements.

Majid is also co-artistic director of « Jazz au Chellah » Festival in Rabat since 1996 and Artistic Director of Jazz sous l’ Arganier in Essaouira.

He recorded and released about 20 albums with different musicians and bands
 

Notes on Seating: The Jack London provides two options for ticket purchasers: Reserved Seating and General Admission. Reserved Seating is purchased on a table-by-table basis in the central part of the venue and is only available for select shows. Both Tables AND General Admission seating is limited on a first come first serve basis

Theon Cross is one of those rare musicians whose vision has redefined their instrument. His unique approach to the tuba has expanded the instrument’s sonic possibilities in revolutionary fashion, restoring it to a long-forgotten prominence as a crucial part of the contemporary jazz ensemble. Through his combination of technical mastery, studio smarts, deep musical knowledge and expansive vision, the power and originality of Theon’s playing has reinvented the tuba’s place in modern music.

Exploring the tuba’s possibilities in the light of diasporic bass culture – ‘Afro-Diaspora Music’ or ADM, as he calls it – Theon has worked to develop the full sonic spectrum of his instrument, transforming it into a total 21st century sound-system, powered by breath. Using the instrument’s ability to produce sub-sonics, bass, mids, and tops, Theon creates complete sound-worlds, building up from rhythm and bass to arrive at melody. Employing its oft-neglected capacity to generate complex multiphonics and sustained pedal tones, he can summon colour, texture and atmosphere. With this expanded low-end theory as his base, Theon approaches his music with a sensibility that travels freely across outernational style and genre, but which remains deeply rooted in his own African-Caribbean heritage. A graduate of Guildhall school of music and an alumnus of the legendary Tomorrow’s Warriors, he is as at home with ensemble jazz as he is when playing road marches, collaborating with grime stars, or providing bassline pressure in reggae, afrobeat or soca settings.

  The flexibility and power of his sound has made Theon an indispensable presence across the length and breadth of the current UK jazz scene, and he has collaborated on dozens of award-nominated and award-winning projects. Since 2013 Theon has been a core member of Shabaka Hutchings’ MOBO award-winning Sons of Kemet, with whom he has recorded and toured globally. He has played regularly with Nubya Garcia, appearing on her now classic Nubya’s Five LP; with Moses Boyd Exodus, featuring on Displaced Diaspora and Dark Matter; with Ezra Collective, on Juan Pablo The Philosopher; and with Cassie Kinoshi’s SEED Ensemble, among many more. His solo track ‘Brockley’ was a standout on the Brownswood collection We Out Here. Beyond jazz, he has worked with grime megastar Stormzy, appearing on the opening cut of Heavy Is The Head, and played alongside major musical figures including Kano, Pharaoh Monch, Emeli Sandé. Most recently, he has featured on albums by The Smile, Little Simz, Steamdown, Joy Crookes, Ill Considered and Lafawndah.

Notes on Seating: The Jack London provides two options for ticket purchasers: Reserved Seating and General Admission. Reserved Seating is purchased on a table-by-table basis in the central part of the venue and is only available for select shows. Both Tables AND General Admission seating is limited on a first come first serve basis

Nilza Costa is a Brazilian singer and songwriter from Salvador (Bahia), a city located on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean and strongly influenced by “Afro” traditions. The passion for music is transmitted to her by her Afro-Indian origin who accompanied her in Candomblé religious services, allowing her to get closer to Yoruba culture. In Salvador da Bahia, she performs as a solo voice in the chorus at Igreja de São Lazzaro and in the scenic chorus at Olodum.
Since 2006 she resides in Italy. Always supported by the contribution of exceptional instrumentalists from the Italian jazz scene, its artistic history has been enriched by numerous live shows across Europe and by illustrious collaborations.
A peculiarity of Nilza Costa is to combine the ancestral rhythms of Africa with some popular forms of Brazilian culture and religion such as Candomblé, Capoeira, Samba Duro, and Cantigas de Roda.
Her artistic work is a journey through a magical itinerary suspended between cultures and languages such as Yoruba, an ancient language introduced to the Americas by African slaves.
Her current band form is made up of Roberto “Red” Rossi (drums, percussion and vocals), Daniele Santimone (seven-string guitar) and Maurizio Piancastelli (trumpet, effects and tastiere),

At the moment he is presenting his new album which has just been released for the Bruttura Moderne label (IT) and distributed by Xango Music (NE).
The album is called "St Patrick's Nights".

Four time Grammy winner Antonio Sánchez was a gymnast on Mexico’s Junior National Team, a conservatory-trained classical pianist, the composer and performer of the score for the Oscar-winning film BIRDMAN and is one of the most inventive and heralded drummers on the planet today. 

Born in Mexico City, Antonio Sánchez began playing the drums at age five and began to perform professionally in his early teens in Mexico’s rock, jazz and latin scenes.

After pursuing a degree in classical piano at Mexico's National Conservatory he enrolled in Berklee College of Music and the New England Conservatory, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude.

Shortly after moving to New York City in 1999, Antonio was scooped-up by Pat Metheny, for whom he recorded nine albums and toured for 18 years. He has also performed with Chick Corea, Gary Burton, Michael Brecker, Charlie Haden — among others — and on several occasions he was named Modern Drummer’s "Jazz Drummer of the Year".

Antonio's popularity soared when he scored Alejandro Iñárritu’s film Birdman, winner of four Academy Awards including Best Picture.

Recent projects include his critically acclaimed The Meridian Suite, his sociopolitical electronica & drums exploration Bad Hombre and Lines in the Sand in which Sánchez turns his political anger into a moving musical statement as a protest against injustice in our current political climate and as a tribute to every immigrant’s journey.

In Spring 2022 Warner Bros Records will release SHIFT (Bad Hombre Vol II).  The much-anticipated recording features Sánchez collaborating with artists ranging from Trent Reznor to Lila Downs...from Meshell Ndegeocello to Dave Matthews and more.

Notes on Seating: The Jack London provides two options for ticket purchasers: Reserved Seating and General Admission. Reserved Seating is purchased on a table-by-table basis in the central part of the venue and is only available for select shows. Both Tables AND General Admission seating is limited on a first come first serve basis

 

Notes on Seating: The Jack London provides two options for ticket purchasers: Reserved Seating and General Admission. Reserved Seating is purchased on a table-by-table basis in the central part of the venue and is only available for select shows and is still first come first serve. General Admission seating is limited on a first come first serve basis.

When you hear your first Garaj Mahal note, leading into an innovative fusion of funky jazz with a tasty world music flare, all other thoughts leave your mind as the music takes you on an unforgettable voyage. Fans return to experience the band again and again because they know they will always hear something new and progressive from four first-class musicians. Featuring guitar and sitar virtuoso Fareed Haque, world-renowned bass master and educator Kai Eckhardt, Garaj Mahal combines a century of musical experience to create a sound that's always new, freshly infused with a wide spectrum of musical expression, and always smoking hot. Touring extensively since their formation in 2000, Garaj Mahal continues to earn critical acclaim and a growing fanbase thanks to their ability to deliver serious "shut-up-and-listen" grooves while simultaneously bringing the dance floor alive. Their collective musical experience allows them to constantly push the envelope of composition and improvisation. Garaj Mahal's sound – a convergence of jazz-style improvisation, mystical Middle-Eastern atmospheres, and danceable American funk - attracts music lovers from all parts of the spectrum and creates a profoundly unique experience. Each band member dedicates every drop of his education, history, and life-long passion for music to their audience every time they step on stage. The band member's virtuosity is no surprise when you look at even a few of the amazing artists they've performed and/or recorded with over the years, including Dizzy Gillespie, John McLaughlin, Sting, Cassandra Wilson, Dave Holland, Bela Fleck, Chick Corea, Steve Smith, Zakir Hussain, Edgar Meyer, Les Claypool, Trey Anastasio, Umphrey's McGee, MMW, Steve Kimock, and Michael Manring. Garaj Mahal's output is the result of years spent honing their musical relationship on the road and following the band’s return from an extended hiatus, Garaj is already accumulating rave reviews around the country.