Johnny Sanders Fund Raiser - Sep 27, 09
Written by Administrator Monday, 14 September 2009 18:43
Many Portland musicians are gathering Sunday September 27, 2009, at the M & M Lounge to raise money to help keyboard player Johnny Sanders with his health care expenses. Johnny and his brother Jimmy have been mainstays on the Portland music scene since the sixties, playing with many local musicians such as Linda Hornbuckle. Johnny moved to Nashville, Tennessee about three years ago to take a position in the house band at BB King's nightclub. Johnny also had a full calendar of studio sessions with Nashville based national recording artists. After he was diagnosed with liver cancer, Johnny moved back to Portland to fight this battle with his children at his side. Norman Sylvester, Lloyd Jones and an eclectic mix of blues and jazz musicians will perform from 3pm to 1:00 am at the M & M Longe, 137 Main, Gresham 97030. Please come out to enjoy tons of good music, and support a great musician when he is in need of financial help.
Mark Hummel Harmonica Workshop - Sep 6, 2009
Written by Administrator Sunday, 23 August 2009 12:59
For those who want to learn harp tips from one of the best harmonica players in the country, Mark Hummel, they can register for a Harmonica Workshop on September 6, 2009 that will begin at 4:30 at The Pines. Cost is $25 and includes admission to the show afterward. To pre-register, contact Steve "Squrl" Curley at 541-399-6920.Lydia Pense & Cold Blood at The Aladdin Theater - Sep 13, 09
Written by Administrator Wednesday, 19 August 2009 16:37
Lydia Pense and Cold Blood are Bay Area music pioneers with an amazing history and an exciting future. Along with Tower Of Power, Lydia Pense & Cold Blood forged their own specific brand of funk/soul and R&B which came to be know as East Bay Grease. That music still holds up today, proving that great music is timeless and will continue to inspire generations to come, still filling halls with cheering, dancing, foot-stomping fans. Known for classic songs such as “You Got Me Hummin’,” “Down To The Bone” and “I Just Want To Make Love To You,” it will definitely be a trip down memory lane and one that is sure to get your body groovin’ all over again.Lydia Pense & Cold Blood return to The Aladdin Theater on Sunday, September 13th, for an 8:00 pm show, 21 & over only. Tickets are available at The Aladdin box office or through Ticketmaster, $22 advance / $24 day of show.
Show Your Love For the CBA Part II - Oct 18, 09
Written by Greg Johnson Monday, 31 August 2009 19:17
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18TH ~ 4:00-10:00 PMTHE REFECTORY ~ 1618 NE 122ND, PORTLAND
ADMISSION: MINIMUM $10 DONATION TO THE CBA
Last January, the CBA held a fundraiser to prevent the organization from going broke in the declining economic times. We are not in that same situation now, but we want to make sure that we are stable in the upcoming future. We have just held or will be holding several events that run the CBA a nice chunk of change (Membership Picnic, Muddy Awards & Holiday Party), where we do not receive much in the way of returns on the expenses, so we decided to hold a second fundraiser to ensure that we’re in good standings financially.
We will be returning to The Refectory. It is a large room, but remember how full the space was before we even started last time, so plan on arriving early. The Refectory has promised to open the back partitions giving us even more space (this was not available last time due to another reservation in the room) and they have also stated they will anticipate our large turn-out by staffing up their crew for the night.
Mark Hummel Plays The Pines - Sep 6, 09
Written by Administrator Wednesday, 19 August 2009 16:38
Mark Hummel has regularly made frequent trips through our area over the years. But most recently, they have always been while fronting his outstanding Harmonica Blow-Off showcases. And though these presentations are loads of fun, offering a mix of some of the best blues harp players around, it does give you just a limited glimpse at how wonderful these musicians really are.
Ramblings On My Mind - Sep 09
Written by Greg Johnson Wednesday, 19 August 2009 17:17
Greg Johnson / CBA PresidentCan you believe how hot it got in Portland in August? For a week’s stretch temperatures blazed in the upper 90s and well over 100 for part of that time. And just in time for the Cascade Blues Association picnic of course. But despite the sweltering weather, what a great time the picnic was! All five acts were outstanding! And a big kudos to the CBA Board of Directors and BluesNotes Editor Laurie Morrisey who all worked as a team to pull this event off. I’ve said it before and I’ll repeat it here, you guys are the tops!!
And if the weather wasn’t enough to keep things sizzling, the blues seemed non-stop all month. Besides all of the fun outdoor events that put our local musicians on stages throughout the region, we were also blessed with visits from national acts like Chris Cain, Charlie Musselwhite, Bettye LaVette, Shane Dwight, and Moreland & Arbuckle. And if that wasn’t enough to keep the summertime joy going, it will be continuing right into September.
Kevin Selfe & The Tornadoes Celebrate New CD - Duff's Garage - Oct 2, 09
Written by Administrator Wednesday, 19 August 2009 17:47
Kevin Selfe & The Tornadoes certainly do not have any problems getting people to come out to have fun at their shows and since his arrival in Portland not so long ago, they have become one of the area’s most favored bands. But if you wanted to take home Kevin’s music, you were fairly limited. You had a choice of his excellent Selfe Contained disc, recorded in Virginia before moving to town, using his East Coast band; or the single track on the Firewater! CD. Now, for those who’ve been patiently waiting, the long overdue new CD from Kevin Selfe and his West Coast Tornadoes is here! Recorded so it sounds a lot like what you’d hear from a live performance, Kevin, Allen Markel and Don Shultz deliver all originals on this new disc titled Playing The Game. You can hear how it all sounds and help celebrate it’s release at Duff’s Garage, on Friday, October 2nd, at 9:30. This is a CBA co-sponsored event, so you will receive a $1 discount from the $8 admission at the door by showing your current membership card. And who knows, there just may be somebody special dropping by that night to help out too.Zydeco Superstars Buckwheat Zydeco At Mississippi Studios - Sep 17, 09
Written by Greg Johnson Sunday, 16 August 2009 17:27
If there is any single act that is immediately identified with zydeco music today, it’d have to be Buckwheat Zydeco. Celebrating their 30th year of creating exciting music and taking to stages around the country and around the world, leader Stanley “Buckwheat” Dural, Jr. still knows how to get a party started and rolling all night long.Read more: Zydeco Superstars Buckwheat Zydeco At Mississippi Studios - Sep 17, 09
Black Joe Lewis & The Honey Bears at Mississippi Studios - Sep 4, 09
Written by Administrator Wednesday, 19 August 2009 16:35
This fresh young band from Austin, Texas, is taking the sounds of blues, R&B and soul into a new direction that absolutely sizzles. Riding high on their first full-length CD, Tell ‘Em What Your Name Is (Lost Highway), Black Joe Lewis took influences from the likes of James Brown and Lightnin’ Hopkins and as described by the Austin Chronicle, developed a style and ability to “spit lyrics in short bursts of aggression like bricks at glass windows.” He is shattering pre-conceptions of how these forms of music are supposed to sound, offering a sensational raw approach that is winning over fans everywhere he plays.
Read more: Black Joe Lewis & The Honey Bears at Mississippi Studios - Sep 4, 09
Bonnie Raitt & Taj Mahal - Sold Out!! - Sep 3, 09
Written by Administrator Wednesday, 19 August 2009 17:42
Bonnie Raitt and Taj Mahal’s summer concert tour brings them to Portland at the Edgefield on September 3rd and they’re on a mission. Teaming up for their first ever tour together, with more than 30 dates across the country, this event is part of the BonTaj Collective Action Fund utilizing several initiatives to raise money for a variety of causes. In conjunction with ticketing agencies like Ticketmaster, Live Nation Ticketing and Musictoday, and some venues and promoters, a $1 for every ticket sold will be aimed for charity at every BonTaj show of this tour. Concert goers will vote on which causes to support – Safe & Sustainable Energy, Environment Protection, Social Justic & Human Rights, and Blues/Music Education.This show is sold out, but if you are attending, make a point to stop by the Cascade Blues Association table for information about our society and consider casting your vote to help support programs like our own Blues In The Schools. For more information on which causes to support for the Action Fund, visit www.bontaj.com the collective, where you may vote as often as you like.
Shane Dwight -- CANCELED -- Sep 11, 09
Written by Administrator Wednesday, 19 August 2009 17:34
This show has been canceled.
Shane Dwight came to the Cascade Bar & Grill (15000 SE Mill Plain, Vancouver, WA) last month and the show went over so well that he is making a quick turn-around on his tour and returning for a special encore appearance. It’s his high-energy, intense-fueled performances that make him a player in such demand. Former from Northenr California, Shane now calls Nashville home and as stated last month, he is a guitar ace whose style can cross-over from deep-down blues to roots-flavored Americana, with hints of alt-country and good old rock & roll thrown in just for extra pleasure, and he’s been know to incite the girls to crazy-wild behavior!
This late entry to his tour schedule will occur on Friday, September 11th at 9:00 pm. If you missed his last visit here in August, make certain that you don’t make that same mistake again this month. Shane Dwight is without doubt one of the quickly rising stars on the blues scene today. This is a CBA co-sponsored event, so make sure you bring your current membership card to receive a $1 discount at the door.
September 2009 General Membership Meeting
Written by Administrator Wednesday, 19 August 2009 17:23
Melody Ballroom, 615 SE Alder St, PortlandWednesday, September 2nd, 7:00 pm
FREE ~ ALL AGES WELCOME
Opening Acoustic Set: Dave Mullany
Second Electric Set: The Rick Welter Band
Hey! Where did the summer go? Can’t believe it’s already time for the September Membership Meeting. But we’re going to keep the good time feelings of the summer alive and the monthly meetings are always a great location for that to happen.
The Robert Cray Band At The Wonder Ballroom - Sep 11, 09
Written by Administrator Wednesday, 19 August 2009 17:20
Considered to be one of the most expressive vocalists and impressive guitarists on the contemporary blues scene, Robert Cray draws from R&B, rock, soul and jazz with equal insight and authority. Influenced by gospel and R&B legends like Ray Charles, Cray broke out on the blues world in full force in the 1980s, possibly as the most recognized artist of the genre ever to emerge from the Pacific Northwest. A three-time Grammy winner, Cray is still very much in demand at festivals and venues around the world. On Friday, September 11th, he will be bringing his band to The Wonder Ballroom, 128 NE Russell, Portland, for a 9:00 pm show. This is a 21 & over show only. Tickets are $25 advance through Ticketmaster, $28 the day of show at The Wonder Ballroom.
Performing This Week: Live at Ronnie Scott's (2009)
Written by Greg Johnson Thursday, 20 August 2009 20:49
Jeff Beck
Eagle Rock
Jeff Beck, without doubt, is one of the finest guitarists on the planet regardless of whatever genre of music you listen to. And he has been known to jump over various genres from time to time. Let me tell you straight off, this latest duo release of CD and DVD really is a fantastic offering of tunes from throughout Beck’s lengthy career, but if you want to capture the essence of his blues playing and can only choose between one or the other, purchase the DVD before the CD.
These recordings were done in 2007, during a week-long stay at the famed Ronnie Scott’s jazz club in London. To give you an idea of how significant this experience is, for those of you who live in Portland, imagine this show happening at Jimmy Mak’s. The clubs are pretty much the same size and give you that intimate feeling of sitting right up within a few feet of the band. Jeff Beck is joined by outstanding musicians, drummer Vinnie Colaiuto (Frank Zappa, Sting, Chick Corea, John McLouglin), keyboardist Jason Rebello (Sting) and 22-year-old sensation Tal Wikenfeld (Chick Corea) on bass. The interaction between these musicians, especially Wickenfeld and Beck is remarkable and flawless. After one incredible bass run on Stevie Wonder’s “’Cause We Ended Up As Lovers,” Beck raises his hands above his head in admiration for the young Australian prodigy as she beams proudly at his approval.
Read more: Performing This Week: Live at Ronnie Scott's (2009)
Walk That Fine Thin Line
Written by Greg Johnson Thursday, 20 August 2009 21:02
Greg Nagy
Big O Records
By Greg Johnson
When you work as a professional musician, walking the fine thin line has lot more connotation than just trying not to tip over the proverbial apple cart. Every time you release something new, the fickle listening audience can praise your efforts or just as easily pan you. It’s even more risk-taking for a person to step out of the confines of a well received band to try their own solo project. But Greg Nagy has done so and that risk he has taken is well worth the chances because his debut solo disc, Walk That Fine Thin Line, brings the cream rising firmly to the top.
For the past few years, Nagy has helmed the guitar duties for the Michigan-based, Blues Music Award nominated band Root Doctor. On that band’s three releases, Nagy has often displayed exceptional moments of soaring guitar glory. But who knew just how truly incredible he really is? There is no missing the point on this solo recording. Well let’s hold that thought for a moment, because Nagy is no fool. He made a point to utilize his band-mates from Root Doctor for his own project and the keyboard offerings from Jim Alfredson help define the sound of this CD in a number of moments.
Blues Woman
Written by Greg Johnson Thursday, 20 August 2009 20:59
Fiona Boyes
Yellow Dog Records
By Greg Johnson
For Fiona Boyes, these last few years must seem like her life is charmed. After winning the 2003 International Blues Challenge solo/duet competition, things have steadily been on the upswing for her, receiving world-wide acceptance for her craft. Her initial Yellow Dog recording Lucky 13 and the collaboration with Mookie Brill and Rich Del Grosso, Live From Bluesville, helped solidify her standing amongst the elite musicians in the blues today, garnering two Blues Music Awards nominations. So how do you follow up with such success. Well, first thing is you don’t mess with what works. And in this case that means traveling back down to Austin, Texas, for her Yellow Dog sophomore effort using the same studio and the same producer, Kaz Kazanoff, that worked so well on Lucky 13. And oh yeah, bringing along friends like Jimi Bott, Ronnie James, Nick Connolly and Derek O’Brien doesn’t hurt any. Nor does people like Watermelon Slim, Pinetop Perkins, Marcia Ball and the Texas Horns dropping by to lend a hand. What you get as an end result is another outstanding product, which is exactly the only way you can describe Blues Woman.
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