Lee's Jam Trio is a Hip Hop, Neo Soul, R&B and Jazz outfit made up of 3 of some of the hardest working R&B musicians in Portland right now. Between the 3 of them, the make up the core rhythm sections of the bands Adebisi, Nothing is Real, Namu, Jessica Manalo, ROYAL, Dusty the Gorilla, David Barber Music, and others, along with their own individual side projects. The groups members all take influence from everything from Bebop to Brazilian Jazz to Hiatus Kaiyote and J DIlla, and have come together to form a new mostly improvisational project just for the Jack London's Sunday series! The Trio is: Patrick Golitchnik on Bass, Kiran Ardakar on Keys/Piano, and Lee Hauser on Drums.
The London is proud to continue the jazz tradition of the Monday Night Big Band. On a night when most musicians are free of gigs, they gather in numbers to play some of the music they love most: everything from Ellington and Basie to Buddy Rich and Michael Buble. Don't miss this chance to enjoy the power and diversity of the top horn-heavy bands from Portland and beyond.
Portland, Oregon based Jumptown Big Band is a professional 17-piece swing band consisting of highly talented and experienced musicians from the greater metropolitan area. Our vision is to keep traditional big band music relevant to people of all ages with a focus on providing high quality performances in terms of both musical technique and entertaining showmanship.
Our repertoire of musical arrangements includes up-tempo swing, foxtrots, ballads, rock ‘n roll, and Latin. Our music can be tailored to suit any event. We perform danceable Count Basie, Ted Heath, and Les Brown style swing music as well as more modern jazz concert pieces in the styles of Buddy Rich, Stan Kenton, Rob McConnell, and Gordon Goodwin. We have also been known to mix in some contemporary pop hits from artists such as Amy Winehouse and Pharrell Williams.
Whether it be a well-known big band standard, contemporary jazz showcase, sentimental vocal ballad, or a hard swinging brass feature, Jumptown Big Band provides a unique and complete package of musical entertainment.
"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.
Kiran Ahluwalia is a modern exponent of the vocal traditions of India and Pakistan, which she both honors and departs from in masterful, myriad ways. Her original compositions embody her Indian heritage, while embracing influences from West African blues, contemporary jazz, and more. Her discography, now seven albums deep, has established Ms. Ahluwalia as one of global music’s most compelling adventures, and have featured striking collaborations with world renowned musicians from the Celtic and Fado traditions, as well as the legendary Malian group Tinariwen. Their video, reworking the classic Qawwali tune Mustt Mustt, has garnered more than 2 million views online to date. And the inspiration that drove her to create it, continues to inform her music today.
Together with her crack 6 piece band, led by artistic partner Rez Abbasi (whose accolades include multiple appearances in Downbeat Magazine critics’ polls), Kiran creates an unforgettable and uniquely immersive live experience, filled with intricate grooves, precise harmonies and first and foremost, her stunning, soaring voice. Kiran has won two JUNO Awards (Canada’s Grammys), two Canadian Folk Music Awards and a Songlines Award in the UK. She has topped multiple World Music charts and garnered glowing praise from critics around the world: “Ahluwalia is busy honing a transnational sound as fresh as tomorrow”, says the Seattle Times and fRoots Magazine proclaimed, “Her’s is a voice destined to enchant more than one generation”.
Always seeking new inspirations, Ahluwalia continues to move her art forward. Her latest album, 7 Billion, explores themes as wide as cultural intolerance, and as personal as the civil wars we fight within ourselves, and the struggle to fully embrace our desires by throwing away shame. By exploring her muse, regardless of where it might take her, she is truly an artist for our times.
Outer Orbit is Galen Clark's (Trio Subtonic) new funk project featuring Tyrone Hendrix (Jarrod Lawson, Liv Warfield), Damian Erskine (Happy Orchestra), Peter Knudsen (Ghost-note) and Mike Elson (Swatkins Positive Agenda)
Trio Subtonic (Ropeadope Records) is a groove heavy power trio out of Portland, Oregon that blends genre bending funk with slow burning underground soul jazz. Led by keyboardist Galen Clark, Subtonic explores a coalescence of rock, soul, funk, blues and jazz that simultaneously draws in listeners and pushes boundaries. Subtonic will be joined by guitar maestro Dan Balmer and D'Vonne Lewis (McTuff, Industrial Revelation) on drums.
Plutons Trio is a group formed by Chris Phillips, a native to Chicago, is a regular in the Portland, Oregon music scene. Chris has continued to spread music throughout the Northwest. He has been named the West Side Blues Association's "Keyboardist Of The Year" for 2013. Since moving from Chicago to Portland in 2006 Chris has worked to bring influences of funk, blues, hip hop, soul, indie and jazz into everything he does.After working to put together a couple of successful trios it was not until the release his first record with his 10 piece funk monster Philly's Phunkestra that he gained more exposure. Most recently Chris has spent time with new funk outfit the Roseland Hunters and shared stages with groups such as Dumpstaphunk, Rebirth Brass Band, Fitz and the Tantrums, The Wailers, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Galactic and moreFeaturing DJ BlackJack w/ Rich Hunter
Tickets:
"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.
Ty Curtis has a Blues mojo that is alive and kicking, a natural musical treat for all that stand before his stage. His offerings have a throwback Rock and Roll flair with an undeniable southern-fried ambiance. Blended, it all adds up to the authenticity of his Blues Rock Style. His explosion of emotion-power-packed performances captures the undivided attention of audiences with tantalizing guitar fret work and highly intellectual lyrics. “Ty Curtis is a triple threat, since he is the band's lead singer, as well as the primary composer of their material, and thirdly he's a sonically incendiary, string-shredding electric guitar player” Bluesrockreview
Ty has been winning awards for his vocals and musicianship for the last 10 years and always puts on a killer show!
Following an explosive set at this years Glastonbury, UK quintet Ezra Collective announces a headlining North American tour in support of their debut album You Can't Steal My Joy beginning in December, they'll play eleven shows across the country.
"You Can’t Steal My Joy" is an exuberant, defiant debut album that’s destined to cement Ezra Collective’s status as one of the UK’s most exciting groups.
The record features friends and fans, Loyle Carner, KOKOROKO and Jorja Smith, and is preceded by lead single and full-blown banger, Quest For Coin.
Ezra Collective are five young Londoners; bandleader Femi Koleoso (drums), his brother TJ Koleoso (bass), Joe Armon-Jones (keys), Dylan Jones (trumpet), and James Mollison (saxophone). The band’s incredible musicianship and spirited, inclusive approach to music - which draws on Afrobeat, Latin, hip-hop, grime and more - has seen them break out beyond the thriving UK jazz scene.
Ezra Collective’s 2017 EP, Juan Pablo: The Philosopher, won ‘Best Jazz Album’ at Gilles Peterson’s Worldwide Awards and the band picked up ‘Best UK Jazz Act’ and ‘Live Experience Of The Year’ at the 2018 Jazz FM Awards. They played Quincy Jones’ birthday party and recently completed a mosh-pit-filled and completely sold out UK tour before headlining Winter JazzFest in New York. Ezra Collective’s forthcoming gigs include All Point East, Lamar Tree and Green Man festivals and full headline tour of the UK culminating at The Roundhouse in London for November 2019.
"Growing up as young people in London has challenges but, rather than focus on all the negativity surrounding us, we’ve decided to focus on the positives”, explains Femi. “You can steal a lot of things from us - our ability to travel freely, our access to education, our right to a level playing field, even our ability to live life at its full potential - but as long as we don’t forget our core truth, You Can’t Steal Our Joy.”
Ezra Collective bring the fire on a stunning debut album // Crack
Thrilling and vital /// Q
The London is proud to continue the jazz tradition of the Monday Night Big Band. On a night when most musicians are free of gigs, they gather in numbers to play some of the music they love most: everything from Ellington and Basie to Buddy Rich and Michael Buble. Don't miss this chance to enjoy the power and diversity of the top horn-heavy bands from Portland and beyond.
Based in Portland, Oregon, Mike Curtis formed The Mike Curtis Jazz Project out of his love for big band jazz. Influences include Buddy Rich, Stan Kenton, Maynard Ferguson, Gordon Goodwin, Woody, Miles, Diz, all of the usual suspects!
MCJP plays progressive jazz, bebop, fusion, and a host of other styles in addition to the swing band standards.
Join us @ JLR for our Annual Holiday Party w/ Mel Brown with his son, Chris and Bobby Torres with his son, Carmelo. Do NOT sleep on this momentous night of jazz.
Celebrate the holiday season @ JLR!
"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.
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.
Listening to the abundant sounds of the Seattle-based funk & soul group, The True Loves, is like walking down a favorite neighborhood street, slapping-five with friends, checking up with clerks in their stores, admiring your own dark sun-glassed face in their windows, ducking under flowerpots and smelling the familiar smells of your most cherished locale. The band is its own block party.
What began in 2014 as a jam session between three of the city’s best - pocket-perfect drummer David McGraw, intoxicating bassist Bryant Moore and otherworldly guitarist Jimmy James - has since blossomed into a global force that now features percussionist Iván Galvez and four horn players: trombonists Jason Cressey and Greg Kramer and saxophonists Gordon Brown and Skerik. Together, the group’s live performances have garnered them much local acclaim and millions of streams on YouTube.
In 2017, the True Loves recorded their debut instrumental LP, Famous Last Words, which received citywide adoration and earned them spots at coveted festivals like Sasquatch, Doe Bay, and Upstream. In 2018, the group released the “Dapper Derp/Kabuki” 45” on WeCoast Records and in 2019 the famed Colemine Records released the “Famous Last Words/Mary Pop Poppins” 45.” And while the band nourishes audiences all over the country - from its start with former singer Grace Love to their current eight-piece lineup - there’s still plenty to go around.
Funky 2 Death (a.k.a. F2D) is a Seattle institution holding court every Friday for the last 8+ years at the Seamonster Lounge in Wallingford (Seattle). F2D is a dynamite mix of gritty funk, solid soul, and unstoppable grooves, and capture that classic funk sound like few can. Their homages to artists such as James Brown, Prince, & Sly Stone are the stuff of legend. F2D has been featured on Band in Seattle, has played for the Seattle Seahawks, and has played Northwest festivals including Summer Meltdown, FolkLife, Oktoberfest, Bite of Seattle, and Fremont Solstice. Featuring Woogie D. (Derneill Washington) on vocals and drums, Mark Mattrey on bass, Melissa Montalto on vocals and keys, Roc Phizzle on vocals and keys, Jason Cameron on guitar, and a rotating cast of superstar horn players (Trevor Parrish, Peter Daniel, Jason Cressey, Roy Brown, Gordon Brown and more).
Critical Hit Burlesque is proud to present a holiday endeavor to keep your spirits warm in the season of giving!
On Christmas Day, Wednesday, December 25th join us for an evening of holiday entertainment NOT intended for the whole family, with a bevy of burlesque, boylesque and cabaret performances which will grow the heart of even the grinchiest of grouches.
Danielle M. Barker is a jazz and contemporary/soul vocalist living in Portland, Oregon. Born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida from Jamaican parents, Danielle is a first generation U.S. citizen. She moved to Portland in 2015 to attend Portland State University with a focus in jazz voice. In June 2019, Danielle graduated from Portland State with a Bachelor’s of Music in Jazz Performance.
Shortly after arriving to Portland Danielle appeared alongside Portland’s very own MJ New Quartet, was a featured artist at the Portland Jazz festival and has obtained experience as a talent and stage manager for the Portland Night Market. Danielle will be featured as a part of August Wilson Red Door Project’s acting cast in Fall 2019.
Danielle has worked with the likes of Portland’s finest musicians including Darrell Grant, Farnell Newton, Saeeda Wright, Tyrone Hendrix, and more.
The London is proud to continue the jazz tradition of the Monday Night Big Band. On a night when most musicians are free of gigs, they gather in numbers to play some of the music they love most: everything from Ellington and Basie to Buddy Rich and Michael Buble. Don't miss this chance to enjoy the power and diversity of the top horn-heavy bands from Portland and beyond.
The Carroll Raaum Swing Orchestra is a 17-piece group that plays the best of big-band music from the 20's to today.
December 31, 20199:00 pmPST
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January 1, 20202:00 amPST
Join us for a very special event at the Jack London Revue this New Years Eve as we commemmorate the 100th Anniversary of Prohibition in full Roaring '20s mode!
The evening's entertainment features the Pacific Northwest's pre-eminent vintage jazz ensemble The Ne Plus Ultra Jass Orchestra and the dancers of the Jack London Burly-Q Burlesque Revue. We'll be decked out like the hottest speakeasy since Carrie Nation took up the hatchet. Formal attire is encouraged!
VIP Tickets include:
One fillette premium champagne, priority/early admission, one door prize ticket, party favors, and guaranteed seating. Available seating includes front row and booth tables.
Guaranteed Seating Tickets include:
Champagne toast, early admission, one door prize ticket, party favors, and guaranteed seating.
General Admission Tickets include:
Champagne toast. Please note: General Admission does not begin until 8 pm. Seating priority will be given to those who select the VIP or Guaranteed Seating option.
NE PLUS ULTRA JASS ORCHESTRA
The instrumentation for The Ne Plus Ultra Jass Orchestra is a perfect representation of the lush hotel bands of a forgotten era. With tuba, banjo, reed trio, trombone, 2 cornets, percussion, violin, and piano, the orchestra is the only of its kind in the Portland Metropolitan area. Their male vocalists, The Tritone Trio, complete the illusion of an era of elegance past.
The Ne Plus Ultra Jass Orchestra was formed in January of 2016, and since September of that year has operated under the leadership of Sammuel Murry-Hawkins. The founding members of the group recognized the lack of fully orchestrated traditional dance bands in the Pacific Northwest focusing on the sweet and hot music of the 20s and 30s.
JACK LONDON BURLY-Q REVUE
Now approaching it's third year of weekly residency, Burly-Q has established itself as one of the hottest burlesque shows in a city replete with them. Featured artists are among the finest and most notable in the Pacific Northwest and the nation at large. This NYE, featured flappers include Lily LaFauve, Zora Von Pavonine and Karlie Lever du Soleil.
