Los Angeles-based Latin percussionist Luis Conte will be in Portland this weekend for two shows where he will be the featured guest with two Portland-based groups.

First, on Friday, February 12th, Conte will join the Portland Jazz Orchestra for a concert at the First United Methodist Church (1838 SW Jefferson St) for a concert called “El Rey del Timbal” where the big band will explore the music of Tito Puente.  Don’t miss this chance to see Conte with some of Portland’s best jazz musicians, including Darrell Grant, Alan Jones, Farnell Newton, and more.  Also, Portland’s own Latin-jazz king Bobby Torres will be joining the group on percussion for this special event.

Then, on Saturday, February 13th, Conte will join the Bobby Torres Ensemble at Jimmy Mak’s for another evening of hot Latin jazz.  You won’t find another percussion section like this in Portland again in 2010: Bobby Torres, Carmello Torres (Bobby’s son), and Luis Conte.

On Friday, February 12th, the Analog Room (3954 N. Williams Ave) will host an intriguing night of music, featuring the music of Grahamsound and Metamess.  While those names may not sound familiar, the names of some of the performers will: Sam Howard on bass, Russ Kleiner on drums, Matt Weiers on keyboard, and (back from Texas for a visit) Chris Mosley on guitar.  Friday, February 12th and 8 PM.  $5 cover charge.

Guitarist Dan Faehnle (Pink Martini, Dianna Krall, Mel Brown B3 Quintet) will be performing on Monday, February 8th at Jimmy Mak’s.  He’ll be joined by an all-star Portland-based band, featuring Dan Gaynor on piano (recently back from NYC), Phil Baker (a Pink Martini band mate of Faehnle’s) on bass, and drum legend Dick Berk.  Tickets to the event can be purchased through Tickets Oregon.

On Sunday, January 24th, Blackbird Wine (4323 NE Fremont) will present a special evening of music featuring the music of the Blue Cranes.  The Blue Cranes is a Portland-based avant-garde, jazz, pop, rock, experimental, whatever-you-want-to-call-them ensemble featuring Reed Wallsmith on alto saxophone, Sly Pig (Joe Cunningham) on tenor saxophone, Rebecca Sanborn on keyboards, Keith Brush on bass, and Ji Tanzer on drums.

If you haven’t seen the group perform, jump at the chance to hear them in a small intimate venue.  If you have seen them before, you know how much fun it will be to see them in this setting.  Somehow, this group manages to transcend genre boundaries while still being approachable by everyone, regardless of taste.  They make good music that’s fun to listen to – that’s all there is to it.

From Blackbird Wine’s press release:

Wine (by the glass or bottle) and light snacks will be available for purchase. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door, available by check to Matt Miner, 2335 NE 41st Ave, Portland 97212, via PayPal to mminer@hevanet.com, or in person at Blackbird Wine, 4323 N.E. Fremont. Please include your e-mail address. For more information, call 503-484-8196 or e-mail mminer@hevanet.com.

Dave Fleschner’s organ trio will release their new album “Creapin’ Up” at Jimmy Mak’s on January 15th.  If you’re itching to get your hands on the disc even sooner, it’s already available on CD Baby.  Also, be sure to check out Dave’s regular Monday night jam sessions at the recently-reopened Brasserie Montmartre.

King Louie and Sweet Baby James will hit two Fridays and Brasserie Montmartre in January, on the 8th and the 22nd.  The band will be rounded out by Renato Caranto on saxophone and Micah Kassell on drums.  This should be a great chance to hear the group in a smaller and more intimate venue.  Also, you get a chance to hear Louis’s new Nord C2 organ.

This Friday (December 18th), a silent auction will be held for Jim Andrews’ jazz collection, including over 1000 items.  Music will be provided by Nick Gefroh on drums, Andre St. James on bass, and Dan Gaynor on piano.

Saxophonist John Nastos will perform with the Upper Left Trio as well as his Duo Chronicles project Monday, December 14th at Jimmy Mak’s.  The evening will feature different combinations of:

• Clay Giberson -- piano
• Jeff Leonard -- bass
• Charlie Doggett -- drums
• John Nastos -- saxophones

As usual on Mondays at Jimmy Mak’s, there is no cover.  Music goes from 8-11 PM.