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.
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:
As usual on Mondays at Jimmy Mak’s, there is no cover. Music goes from 8-11 PM.
David Friesen’s Quintet (Dan Balmer – guitar, Tim Willcox – saxophone, John Gross – saxophone, Charlie Doggett – drums) and Darren Klein’s Kleintet (Noah Bernstein – saxophone, Elysia Strauss – saxophone, Akila Fields – piano, Russ Kleiner – drums) return to Jimmy Mak’s on Friday, November 27th. Music starts at 8 PM for a $10 cover charge.
MONDAY, OCT 26th@ Jimmy Maks
(221 NW 10th Ave. www.jimmymaks.com)
7pm, 21+ after 9:30pm, $25.00 Cover
ALL PROCEEDS INCLUDING ANY TICKET FEES WILL GO TO THE CUMPSTON FAMILY FUND
Over 40 local musicians join to celebrate the life of teacher/musician Jeff Cumpston and to raise college funds for his children Mary and Bryce.
On Aug 9th, 2009, Portland lost a hero to many. Jeff Cumpston, the former band director at West Linn High School, died the day before his 53rd birthday, when a motorcycle collided with him as he rode his bicycle near his home in Harare, Zimbabwe. Cumpston moved to Africa, along with his wife, Theresa, and children, Mary, 12, and Bryce, 9, last summer. During Jeff’s 20+ years as a top drummer and 13 years as band director at West Linn High School, he affected thousands of people with his positive and hard working attitude.
Oct 26th is a chance for the music community to thank him for his influence in Portland. The concert will feature four groups. The Portland Youth Jazz Orchestra will begin the evening with featured WLHS alumni performing newly composed pieces dedicated to Cumpston by Charlie Gray and Dave Mills. Dan Balmer, Tom Wakeling, Dave Leslie and Tim Rap will follow with set two. Jeff played with these musicians in his formative years.
The Medler Septet takes set three. Last Summer, Jeff recorded an a Latin-Jazz Infusion CD with the Medlers called “Of this time”. Alan Jones, Tim Rap and Charlie Doggett will be on drums as well as musicians Dennis Caiazza, Farnell Newton, Brian Ward, Michelle Medler, Caton Lyles Ben Medler, Al Criado, Scott Hall, Bryant Allard, Warren Rand and Greg Garrett. To finish the evening will be an impromptu Jam set with Warren Rand, Paul Mazzio, Steve Christopherson, Greg Van Winkle, Ronnie Lagrone, John Nastos, Gordon Lee, and others.
For more information about the Cumpston Benefit or to schedule an interview, please contact Ben Medler at 503-452-8685 or ben@medlerstudios.com.
The Portland Jazz Festival’s PDXJazz is starting a new series at the ArtBar featuring local talent. For the next three months, a wide variety of groups (everything from the Blue Cranes to Dave Frishberg) will take the stage on select Friday and Saturday nights.
Good news for frugal audience members – the series is free with no food or drink minimum.
The series starts this Saturday (9/19) with the David Friesen trio featuring Dan Balmer and John Gross.
More information below.
Select Fridays and Saturdays
8:00 PM – 11:00 PM*
September 19 – December 12
Portland Center for the Performing Arts, Main Lobby Rotunda, 1111 SW Broadway, Portland
Saturday, 9/19 – David Friesen/ John Gross/ Dan Balmer Trio
Friday, 10/2 – Barbara Lusch
Friday, 10/16* – Stephanie Schneiderman (*8:30-11:30)
Saturday, 11/7 – Blue Cranes
Saturday, 11/21 – Shelly Rudolph
Friday, 12/4 – Bryant Allard Quartet
Saturday, 12/12 – John Gross/ Dave Frishberg/ Charlie Doggett Trio
On August 22nd, Jimmy Mak’s will host a double bill featuring the David Friesen Quintet (Charlie Doggett on drums, Dan Balmer on guitar, John Gross and Tim Willcox on tenor saxophones, and David Friesen on bass) followed by the Darren Kleintet (Darren Klein on guitar, John Nastos on alto sax, Akila Fields on piano, Sam Howard on bass, Noah Bernstein on tenor sax, and Sam Berrett on drums).
Music starts at 8 PM. There is a $10 cover charge.
Guitarist Mordy Ferber will be at Jimmy Mak’s tonight (3/16), stepping in for Dan Balmer, who normally holds down Monday nights. Word is that Ferber will be joined by Dave Captein and Charlie Doggett. Worth stopping by, especially at no cover.
Music starts at 8 PM
From their press release:
Upper Left Trio will be taking part in the 2009 PDX Jazz Festival this Friday, February 20th at Three Degrees, located in the Riverplace Hotel from 8-11 PM. We will be playing some brand new compositions. Hope to see you there!
Riverplace Hotel
1510 SW Harbor Way
Portland, OR 97201
(503) 228-3233
Upper Left Trio is:
Clay Giberson – piano
Jeff Leonard – bass
Charlie Doggett – drums
