Passing the Torch: How the Lowdown Student Jam Lights Up Artichoke Music

A Living Classroom for the Blues

Walk through the doors of Artichoke Music on the first Monday of the month, and you’ll hear something special: a rising generation of blues musicians—students of all levels—leaning in to learn, grow, and find their feel for the blues.

This is Dave’s Lowdown Student Blues Jam, and it’s far more than a monthly performance. It’s a musical incubator. A proving ground. A space where young players step into the spotlight, instruments in hand, hearts wide open.

Hosted by Artichoke Music, a beloved nonprofit hub in Southeast Portland, the jam is a natural extension of the organization’s mission: to serve as a haven for music education. Here, passionate teachers meet eager students. Emerging musicians connect with their first real audiences. And on these Monday nights, the air hums with possibility.

At the center of it all is Dave Fleschner—a celebrated keyboardist, composer, and community college instructor who’s been a cornerstone of Portland’s music scene for years. But in this setting, he becomes something more: a mentor, a guide, and the keeper of the blues flame.

“This is where it starts,” Dave said.
“I’m preparing them for the Journey to Memphis Youth Showcase.”

He started the jam back in March, and it’s been growing ever since.

The Vibe

The audience is small but mighty—an attentive mix of family, friends, blues fans, and curious newcomers. The lights are warm and low. Then the first chord rings out, and the room leans in.

In that moment, a young blues musician—mid-song, chasing a big sound—might just find something even better: their own voice.

As I sat in the audience with my camera in hand, I realized how vital gatherings like these are—not just for the students, but for the community. These aren’t just performances. They’re moments of discovery—for the players and the listeners alike.

What to Expect at the Jam:

• Youth musicians of all levels—from preteens to college students—step up to the mic to play blues standards and jam-friendly classics, all under Dave’s expert mentorship.
• Instrument rotation—students take turns on guitar, keys, drums, bass, and vocals, often trying their first solos right there on stage.
• Real-time coaching—Dave might guide a sixth-grade drummer through dynamics, helping him not just play the groove, but feel it.
• Foundational blues skills—from 12-bar shuffles to expressive soloing and even original songs, each jam reinforces essential techniques.
• Encouragement and growth—this isn’t just a gig. It’s a workshop, a community, and for many, a musical home.

Rising Talent

Among the young musicians is Low Maintenance, a rising blues band led by frontman Jaxson Decker, whose raw, blues-rock voice echoes the early days of Jonny Lang. Inside Artichoke’s softly lit venue, the vibe is focused but relaxed—the perfect space for listening, learning, and letting the blues breathe.

Keeping the Blues Alive

The blues isn’t fading. It’s evolving—thriving in the hands of young players supported by inter-generational mentorship.

As the Cascade Blues Association’s Blues in the Schools program Chair person, I proudly support the Lowdown Jam, recognizing its role in preserving the genre while allowing it to grow. These nights aren’t just about music. They’re about legacy. They’re about belonging.

And as long as there’s a stage, a spotlight, and someone like Dave Fleschner showing the way, the blues will never be lost.Join the Jam

Dave’s Lowdown Student Blues Jam
First Monday of each month
6:30–8:30 PM
Artichoke Community Music, 2007 SE Powell Blvd, Portland, OR

Come early, grab a seat, and witness the blues being passed down—and reborn—one soulful solo at a time.

Learn more at DaveFleschner.com

By Mercedez, Blues in the Schools Committee Chairperson