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.

Today at noon, OPB held a party at their Southwest Portland building to celebrate the changeover, finalizing the move of KMHD from the Mt. Hood Community College campus to the OPB studios.  The event was attended by both OPB and KMHD staff, journalists, JSO volunteers, leaders in the jazz community, and others.

For the first hour or so, guests chatted and networked while enjoying the music of George Mitchell, Israel Annoh, and Phil Baker.

Soon, we were moved into one of their larger rooms where we heard statements from Steve Bass (CEO and President of OPB) as well as Matt Fleeger, who was just brought in from San Antonio to run KMHD.  Steve talked a bit about OPB’s plans to bring more publicity to not only KMHD but also MHCC through the many outlets at OPB’s disposal.

(Matt Fleeger speaks to the crowd)

The party was closed with a concert of duets from trumpeter Farnell Newton and vocalist Shirley Nanette.

Editorial:

KMHD has been a great resource for the Portland and Northwest jazz scenes.  It is amazing that they have managed to stay a dedicated jazz/blues station for 25 years relying primarily on volunteers and community donations.

That being said, the station has also been hampered by infrastructure, personnel, and political issues that have kept it from being an even better resource and content producer.  I truly believe that the merge with OPB will open many doors and avenues that could bring more attention to recorded jazz and blues as well as the music that is being performed in our community by local musicians every day.

I know that I can’t wait to see what Matt Fleeger has up his sleeve for KMHD.  But, it’s not his job alone – KMHD is still a community-supported organization, and being part of OPB will not suddenly make it some sort of corporate entity.  It’s our job as community members and jazz supporters to voice our opinions (both criticisms and praise) to help the organization grow and evolve.

- John Nastos

Ron Steen is the king of the jazz jam session in Portland.  He has hosted a number of sessions over the years at venues all over the city, some of which have become regular hangs for Portland’s best jazz musicians when they aren’t gigging.  In November, two of those jam sessions are having anniversaries:

• Sunday, November 2nd - ”Four Year Anniversary Sunday Jam” at Clyde’s with Tony Pacini & Dennis Caiazza
  There aren’t many gigs on Sunday nights, and consequently, you’ll find some great musicians hanging out at Clyde’s on Sunday nights jamming.  The venue has recently become smoke-free, making it a much more pleasant place to enjoy music.   

  Clyde’s is located at 5474 N.E. Sandy Blvd. 8:30 PM to 11:30 PM. No smoking, no cover charge & free parking available in lot. For more information call 503-281-9200.
   

• Monday, November 3rd (Postponed until November 10) - ”Sixteen Year Anniversary Monday Jam” at Produce Row with Phil Goldberg and Dave SperanzaKeeping a jam session running for sixteen years is an amazing accomplishment.  Talk to the pros around town and you’ll find out that this is the session to go to for serious music.  Not only is this jam popular among Portland musicians, but when out-of-towners come through, they often know that this is the session to stop by.  This means on any given Monday, you might have the chance to catch Dick Berk, Ben Wolfe, Dan Fahnle, or Jay Collins jamming.

  Produce Row is located at 204 S.E. Oak St. 2 blocks west of MLK Blvd. 9:00 PM to midnight. No smoking, $3.00 cover charge & free parking available. For more information call 503-232-8355. 
   

• Wednesday, November 5th - ”Kate Davis’ Wilf’s One Year Anniversary Party” featuring Tom Grant Although not a jam session, this gig also has an anniversary this week – one year of Wednesdays with Ron Steen and Kate Davis at Wilf’s.  Kate is one of Portland’s star up-and-coming jazzers.  She lays it down on bass and has a mean singing voice as well.

This week, The Cave presents:

• 10/29 – Nancy King with Dan Gaynor on piano
• 10/30 - Ludvig Berghe Trio: Ludvig Berghe piano, Daniel Fredriksson drums, Lars Ekman bass
• 10/31 - John Stowell Trio: John Stowell guitar, Seattle greats: Jeff Johnson bass, John Bishop drums
• 11/1 - John Keyser Trio: John Keyser guitar, Phil Baker bass, Ron Steen drums

This week, The Cave presents:

• Wednesday, 10/15 – Nancy King Invitational with Dan Gaynor on piano
• Thursday, 10/16 – Phil Baker Trio with Greg Goebel on piano and Charlie Doggett on drums
• Friday, 10/17 – Ben Macy Quartet with Arick Gouwerok on bass, Lee Elderton on alto, James Gregg on trumpet
• Saturday, 10/18 – Michalangela Wilson band with Tony Pacini on piano, Scott Steed on bass, and Gary Hobbs on drums

This week The Cave presents:

• Wednesday 7/23 – Nancy King with Dan Gaynor
• Thursday 7/24 – Mordy Ferber (from NYC) with Alan Jones and Phil Baker
• Friday (7/25) and Saturday (7/26) – Marc Fendel Trio (from Seattle)

Read the rest of this entry »

This week’s press release from The Cave:

Wednesday May 28th: NANCY KING INVITATIONAL

“She is, I think, one of the best singers that ever walked the planet.”

-       Karrin Allyson, Jazz Vocalist

 –Nancy has been nominated Female Vocalist of the year by the Jazz Journalist Association!–

This week Nancy invites the prodigious, very talented, and quite young pianist Dan Gaynor. Dan is also what in basketball would be called a “play maker”. He sets up opportunities for other people to score.

Thursday May 29th: ALAN JONES PRESENTS…

a very unique musical experience.  From New York City comes Alexander Berne, a soprano saxophone player who plays unlike anyone on earth. Can’t really explain it…probably best just to come and see for yourself.  Alan and Alexander will be joined by the great Portland veteran and Pink Martini bassist Phil Baker. 

Friday May 30th: THE RANDY PORTER TRIO

There are few more interesting, more talented, or just plain better piano players on earth.  Randy has recently been out on the road with Gino Vannelli and with Diana Schuur…they agree with the above statement.  Randy brings a special trio to the cave…Justin Durrie bass and Reinhardt Meltz drums.

Saturday May 31st: RANDY PORTER’S NEW MUSIC PROJECT

For Saturday night it’s Randy getting especially creative with an eclectic combination of great musicians, mixing concepts and genres to create “new music”.  Come check out a very special event featuring Jarrod Lawson keyboards and vocals, Reinhardt Meltz drums, Dan Balmer guitar + mystery guests.

The Cave is located at 636 SW Jackson.  Music starts at 8 PM and there is a $5 cover charge.

Belinda Underwood is releasing her new jazz CD, Greenspace, this Saturday at Jimmy Mak’s.  The disc features many local artists, including Phil Baker on bass, Martin Zarzar on percussion, Nancy King on vocals, and more.

At the CD release party, Belinda’s band will include Scott Steed on bass, Benny Green on piano, Carlton Jackson on drums, and the promise of some special guests.

Details: Saturday, May 24th and Jimmy Mak’s.  $10 cover charge.  Music starts at 8 PM.