15 Years of Blues The Cascade Blues Association Celebrates 15 Years of Supporting, Promoting & Preserving Blues and Blues-Related Music A look back... by Rose Allen Page 1 of 3

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In the beginning...there was the Blues.

    In July we celebrated the 15th Waterfront Blues Festival. We also celebrate 15 years of the Cascade Blues Association this year. It's no coincidence, you see. The energy and passion of certain individuals who initially met in a classroom setting led to a whole series of events and occurrences. Thus, the Cascade Blues Association was formed through the personal drive of those determined few.

    Over these past 15 years, many individuals and personalities have been involved with keeping the CBA intact, many of whom are still involved. Typically, a volunteer organization such as this cannot exist without experiencing tumultuous periods of growth and change, especially when the passion of Blues-fans-as-organizers gets mixed up in it all. It is highly complimentary to our Association to have survived those growing pains. There is a great deal of history that has not yet been told. Perhaps because it hasn't actually been considered "history" until now, and those who originally established the organization were busy at the time. Most have since moved on to other aspects of their lives; some are no longer even CBA members.

    One of the original intents of the organization was to archive. Considerable time has been devoted by this writer, over the course of recent weeks, to living and breathing the CBA in order to tell just that story. As a current Board Member, it was almost reassuring to discover that previously there were "petty allegations of dubious origins," former disgusted board members, and people walking out during meetings. Those details have been omitted. The egos or "agendas" sometimes get in the way, but it appears to come with the territory. "But," as CBA veteran Rick Hall told me: "To become a viable organization you have to forget any personal agenda and keep the members in mind." Mainly, that is what has taken place these past 15 years.

The Class

    Delmark Goldfarb is best known for his community activism and organizational talents. His nickname "The Professor" was derived from his Blues History class at Portland Community College. The CBA was a result of that class, as this is where Goldfarb was able to connect with other Blues lovers. Bill Rhoades was a presenter and Miles Ward a student, both of whom were also very instrumental in the formation of the CBA. These three signed the original Certificate of Incorporation.

    A photocopied article describes how musicologist Delmark Goldfarb led a 10-week study of the origin and development of Blues styles. Classes frequently featured guest appearances by local artists. Each artist was given the opportunity to explain how he or she became involved with Blues music. "Part of paying your dues," explains Goldfarb, "is giving credit where it's owed. This class allowed the artist to explain how they were turned on by certain obscure performers or where they might have picked up particular styles. The tradition of the Blues is based on person-to-person, one-on-one, and that's the way it happens in my class. It's extremely important that this information is shared, because it's the only way to maintain the legacy. We track a riff over 50 years to see how the Blues is shaped."

Delmark Goldfarb — "The Seed"

Delmark Goldfarb

    A good deal has already been written about the man who served as "the seed" for the CBA. Delmark was described in an early BluesNotes Profile as a "true trail blazer." An article in this August's issue of Jewish Living focuses on Goldfarb's beginning and what has since raised millions for the hungry.

    When I met with Delmark, he provided me with already published information on him, along with a copy of his CD, Something Special, categorized as "Country Blues Swing" by Biograph Records, Inc. "A perfect blend of Dixieland and Bluegrass tempos, but seasoned without the brass or banjo. Del Goldfarb's chomping, romping rhythms are balanced sweetly by Linda Lee Michelet's soulful swingster phrasing in the world of Jug Band Music." Personally, Del is described as "the dedicated Delta scout who found Gus Cannon's long lost grave, then led an effort to raise money for a headstone. The marker can now be seen from Highway 52 in Bull Frog's Corner, Mississippi."

    Goldfarb draws on the years he was inundated with all kinds of Blues music as he created exhibits at the Memphis Blues Museum and the Memphis Music Hall of Fame while living in that city from 1971 through 1977. "Curating the exhibits was a great way to learn, but the biggest benefit was being bombarded by the music playing in the museums all day long." The music started to flow out of him and it continues to flow now as he performs his job as a delivery driver in Portland. He's written songs for Blues musicians such as Curtis Salgado and John Sebastian of the Lovin' Spoonful. He's performed on the legendary Beale Street in Memphis and has been featured in the "Keith Sykes Songwriters Showcase." His Linda & Del: Something Special CD was praised in Downbeat magazine, something Goldfarb calls "the ultimate."

    Goldfarb's Blues explorations have taken him from deep Southern juke joints and cemeteries to the Smithsonian Institute, where the result of one of his discoveries has been accepted for permanent display. "I developed an information packet regarding washtub basses and their use in commercial recording and sent it to the Smithsonian." After following up with extensive research, Delmark found himself in D.C. with Fritz Richmond (see April and May 2002 BluesNotes) for the official presentation. The entire Jug Band was there, along with Geoff and Maria Muldaur, having performed the night before at the Kennedy Center. Goldfarb describes it as a "thrill of a lifetime."

    Curtis Salgado took the opportunity to speak on Delmark's behalf. "When I moved back from Boston (after performing with Roomful of Blues), Delmark championed me to get back on my feet again." Curtis describes Delmark as "the seed" of the Waterfront Blues Festival, and an incredible songwriter: "His lyrics tell a story. He may not always be politically correct, but he is a champion for the rights of the people. I'm glad somebody is telling the story."

The Festival

    Goldfarb came up with the idea to hold a Blues music festival at Waterfront Park on the Fourth of July. People told him that the location, date and time were all wrong, but he wanted a family event located in the city so people could walk to it. He also wanted it held outdoors so thousands of people could come, and admission could be low enough to encourage attendance. The first Rose City Blues Festival (now known as the Waterfront Blues Festival — see appeal for volunteers at right), was held on Saturday, July 25, 1987 and served as a fundraiser for Baloney Joe's. John Lee Hooker himself was the headliner; local bassist John Mazzocco was playing in his band, thus creating the connection which allowed this great Bluesman to perform at the event. The success of the festival escalated the visibility of the Blues in Portland.

    As there was some disagreement as to how the festival should be run, it came down to a City Council hearing which granted usage to Oregon Food Share, since they had filed for the insurance policy on the Waterfront grounds for the festival dates.

    An August 1988 recap of the 2^nd Annual Rose City Blues Festival describes the scene: "Occupying the entire area between the newly constructed fountain and the Morrison Bridge, the festival featured two stages where music was happening, not only continuously, but simultaneously on both July 3rd and 4th." The Oregonian stated that a total of 50,000 people were entertained by 38 bands. Considered a sponsor of the event, the CBA hosted an information booth, was involved with stage announcements, and assisted in other areas.

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