Blues Events
Jimmy Mak’s Presents A Tribute To Etta James
On May 18, Jimmy Maks is very proud to present “A Tribute To Etta James,” featuring the Portland Soul All-Stars. Etta James (1938-2012) was a giant of American music—one of the all-time great blues, jazz, and soul singers. Her singing was on the one hand technically accomplished, yet also unique in its naked, emotional honesty. Really, there has been no one like her!
For this special tribute, three of Northwest's finest female vocalists—all inspired and deeply influenced by Etta—will not only sing her great hits like “At Last,” “Tell Mama,” and “I'd Rather Go Blind,” but will also weave them into a narrative of Etta's fascinating life story. The result will be a very special tribute to the late, great, and never to be forgotten Etta James!
The vocalists: LaRhonda Steele, Lady Kat, and Lisa Mann, who will also play bass. Filling out the all-star line-up will be “King Louie” Pain, B-3; Peter Dammann, guitar; Renato Caranto, saxophone; and Micah Kassell, drums.
There will be two separately-ticketed shows for this event, beginning at 7:30 pm and 10:00 pm. Reserved seats for each show will be $12; General admission: $10. Tickets available at www.tickettomato.com. First purchase your ticket, then phone Jimmy Mak's (503-295-6542) to reserve your table. Jimmy Mak’s is located at 221 NW 10th, Portland.
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Sonny Hess Band Celebrates New CD
The Sonny Hess Band will be celebrating the release of their brand new CD All Aces with a special engagement at McMenamins’ Kennedy School on Thursday, May 17th. Packed to the hilt with the exciting guitar play of Sonny “Smokin’” Hess and her dynamic band, the album is filled with original material that expresses her honesty and emotion in her songwriting. Sonny has taken her life battles and once again expresses what is described as a symbolic walk through fire and the joy of survival.
Her on the mark band of saxophonist Kevin LaBaron, drummer Kelly Pierce and bass player Jim Hively will be on hand, alongside good friends Lisa Mann and Jimmy Lund to make this a truly remarkable show that should be caught. Also appearing will be Pam Davis, a new comedienne from McMinnville making her onstage debut. Sonny is a past Muddy Award winner and also recently a nominee for Lifetime Achievement with the Cascade Blues Association. Her performances are always exceptional and fun.
McMenamins’ Kennedy School is located at 5736 NE 33rd in Portland. Showtime is 7:00 pm and it is open to all ages. This is a CBA co-sponsored event, so bring your membership card and show it at the door for a $2.00 discount off the regular $5.00 admission. And don’t forget to pick up your copy of All Aces at the show.
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West Coast Blues Legend Ron Thompson Comes To Town
Ron Thompson has been playing the blues for many years along the West Coast and around the world. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, where he is considered a legend, Thompson does not make many trips up to the Portland area, so when he does it is highly recommended to see him. The people that he has worked with, recorded with and toured alongside reads like a who’s who of the blues. Among those include Big Mama Thornton, Percy Mayfield, Luther Tucker, Etta James, Pee Wee Crayton, Jimmy McCracklin, Lowell Fulson, B.B.King and a seven-year stint as band leader with John Lee Hooker’s Coast To Coast Band. And that only touches on a small portion of his career. Definitely a guitar player’s guitarist whom only the best call upon when needing that right sound.
Ron Thompson will be making a special appearance at Duff’s Garage on Monday, May 21st for a 9:00 pm show. Admission is $12, but it is also a CBA co-sponsored event, so show your membership card at the door for a $1 discount. Take advantage to catch this rare opportunity to see one of the West Coast’s best guitar players.
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Two-Time IBC Champ Lionel Young Comes To Portland
In the 28-year history of the International Blues Challenge, Colorado’s Lionel Young is so far the only performer to win in both the solo/duo and the band categories. And if you’ve ever seen him perform, there can surely be no question as to why. If you haven’t see Lionel Young before, well here’s your chance as he and the band will be coming to Portland for the first time ever for a show at Duff’s Garage on Monday, May 14th. Lionel is not your everyday bluesman either, as his main instrument is the violin, for which he has been nominated in the instrumental-other category in the 2012 Blues Music Awards. He’s also a terrific singer, with a razor-sharp band and knows how to incite a crowd to excitement. Definitely a showman not to miss.
Lionel Young is a CBA co-sponsored event, with members receiving a $1 discount at the door when showing their current membership card. Duff’s Garage is located at 1635 SE 7th in Portland, showtime is 9:00 pm.
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Kirsten Thien Makes Portland Debut
New York City may not be the hotbed for finding numerous blues performers, but when somebody does make a mark from that metropolis, it is usually somebody you’d better be paying attention to. That certainly is the case with Kirsten Thien, who will be making her Portland debut on Thursday, May 17th at Duff’s Garage (1635 SE 7th) for a 9:00 pm show. A triple threat package, as not only does Thien play guitar and have a voice that is unbelievably angelic, she also writes some of the most amazing lyrics in music today, as seen with her third release under her name Delicious. And Delicious is a truly apt name for the disc that rings to perfection from start to finish and features guest appearances from Memphis harp-man Billy Gibson and the late Hubert Sumlin.
If you are unfamiliar with Kirsten Thien’s work, then you’re highly recommended to see this performance. She has often been compared with Bonnie Raitt and Janis Joplin, but she is far beyond comparison. Engaging, delightful and delicious, Kirsten Thien is well worth catching on stage. This is a CBA co-sponsored event, so show you membership card at the door for a $1 discount on admission.
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Two Northwest Blues Ladies Combine For A Huge Show At Duff’s: Mia Vermillion & Rae Gordon
How much more fun can you ask for than a double dose of blues vocal greatness? Two of the Northwest’s finest chanteuses join forces for a double header showcase at Duff’s Garage (1635 SE 7th) on Saturday, May 26th, as Seattle’s Mia Vermillion and Portland’s Rae Gordon will take command of the stage.
With a solid rhythm section and guitar backing her, Mia Vermillion brings her own songs, beats and style to the blues creating a fresh, unique sound. Mia’s voice and stage presence has been described as sultry and intoxicating. “She infuses her singing with more humidity than Ma Rainey and more sex than Lena Horn,” according to AllAboutJazz.com’s Michael Bailey. After listening to her you will be enchanted and will want to pick up a copy of her CD, Alone Together With The Blues, before heading home.
But do not head home just yet, because the incomparable, Muddy Award winning vocalist Rae Gordon will also be on hand with her own band to make this evening really sizzle. Rae’s performances are always fun with her charm, wit, humor and jaw-dropping fierce vocals inspired by the likes of Bette Midler, Aretha Franklin and local female favorites like Ellen Whyte, Duffy Bishop and Sonny Hess. You’re always guaranteed to have an exciting night when Rae Gordon is in the house.
This double-header is a CBA co-sponsored event. Show your CBA membership card at the door and receive a $1 discount. Showtime is 9:00 pm.
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Jimmy Mak’s Welcomes Back Janiva Magness
Award-winning vocalist Janiva Magness, among the premier blues and R&B singers in the world today, returns to Portland on Thursday, May 17th in an encore engagement at Jimmy Mak’s (221 NW 10th). Her voice possesses an earthy, raw honesty and beauty born from her life experience. A charismatic performer known for her electrifying live shows, Magness is a gutsy and dynamic musical powerhouse. She received the coveted 2009 Blues Music Award for B.B. King Entertainer Of The Year (she is only the second woman to ever win this award, Koko Taylor being the first). She also won Contemporary Blues Female Artist Of The Year, an honor she also received in 2006 and 2007. She has received a total of seventeen Blues Music Award nominations to date, including one for 2012′s Contemporary Blues Female Artist Of The Year.
Janiva is currently touring to promote her latest release, Stronger For It (Alligator Records). Another exciting and exceptional disc from a performer who seemingly can do no wrong. This new release is even special as for the first time Janiva has written several of the tracks herself.
Always a popular artist with the Portland blues community, make a point to pick up your tickets or make reservations early as this one will certainly fill the house and most likely sell out. Advance tickets are available through www.TicketTomatosOregon.com, with guaranteed seating at $19 and general admission for $18. Showtime is 8:00 pm.
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Old Weird Americana: A 60th Anniversary Tribute To Harry Smith’s Anthology Of American Folk Music
Back in 1952 there just were not many recordings being released on full-scale albums with multiple tracks, let alone a multi-disc set of the likes that ethnomusicologist Harry Smith compiled when he released The Anthology Of American Folk Music. This seminal compilation put together of 78 rpm discs Smith had collected still stands amongst the best ever to document that sounds of American music. And it also exposed many listeners for the first time to artists they may have never imagined before, including genres such as Cajun, Sacred Harp and Americana featuring musicians the likes of Dock Boggs, Mississippi John Hurt, Blind Willie Johnson and Charlie Poole. It was these same recordings that influenced generations of players for many years to come, among them The Carter Family, Joan Baez, Dave Von Ronk and Bob Dylan.
Harry Smith was born in Portland, Oregon, so it is only fitting that a tribute to his contribution to modern music be acknowledged with an all-star line-up in the city for its 60th anniversary of its release. The event will be held at the Alberta Rose Theatre (3000 NE Alberta) on Sunday, May 20th, starting at 7:00 pm. The cast is extensive with many of the most popular artists in blues, country, folk and other genres taking part. Put together by guitarist Joe McMurrian, the line-up will include notable Northwest players such as Lauren Sheehan, Steve Kerin, Baby Gramps, Mark Lemhouse, Lewi Longmeier, James Low, Bob Shoemaker and many others who found inspiration from the Anthology.
Tickets for the event are available through www.TicketBiscuit.com. General Admission is $15.00 advance or $18.00 at the door. Minors are welcome when accompanied by a parent or guardian. This show is a CBA co-sponsored event and you will receive a $2.00 discount when buying tickets on-line by using the codeword CBA or showing your current membership card at the door. It is also a partial benefit for the Caldera Arts Youth Program, the musicians and the people involved with the program.
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James Harman’s Bamboo Porch Revue With Friends Nathan James & Kevin Selfe At Alberta Rose Theatre
Make note of this date, Friday, May 18th, in order to plan on attending one of the coolest blues events of the spring as a huge triple-header show headlined by the legendary James Harman will take place at the Alberta Rose Theatre. Not only will James be on hand, but you’ll also see exciting sets from both Nathan James & The Rhythm Scratchers and Kevin Selfe & The Tornadoes.
James Harman has been delivering his outstanding harmonica playing and superb songwriting skills for nearly forty years, earning him high accolades including Blues Music Awards nominations. Originally from Alabama, Harman has earned himself respect as one of the premier West Coast bluesmen and always brings good times whenever he takes the stage, as he recently proved at last summer’s Waterfront Blues Festival. Many of the most renowned players in today’s blues have spent time in Harman’s bands, including the likes of Hollywood Fats, Gene Taylor and Kid Ramos and his Bamboo Porch Revue shows continue in that fine tradition with guitarist Nathan James, percussionist James Michael Tempo and bassist Troy Sandow making for a lively party on stage with more than 30 recordings to his credit to select songs from. A showman first, he never disappoints an audience.
Besides being a member of James Harman’s Bamboo Porch shows, Nathan James will also be bringing his popular band The Rhythm Scratchers to play a set in this outstanding blues showcase. With drummer Marty Dodson and bassist Troy Sandow, they explore unique rhythm styles of acoustic and electric blues, with Nathan working a variety of homemade instruments such as his “washtar” that combines a washboard into a unique new version of a cigar-box styled guitar. Nathan James has been making quite a name himself the past few years after taking the solo/duo title at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis with his former partner Ben Hernandez.
Portland of course needs no introduction to Kevin Selfe & The Tornadoes who will be opening the night. One of the Northwest’s most popular bands, Kevin leads with his searing guitar playing and vocals, while Allen Markel holds down bass duties and multi-nominated for the Blues Music Awards drummer Jimi Bott lays down the beat. The band has won several Muddy Awards over the years and always hands out extraordinary shows.
James Harman’s Bamboo Porch Revue and friends is a CBA co-sponsored event, with tickets available through the Alberta Rose Theatre’s website. $18 advance, $20 day of the show. Use the codeword CBA for a $3.00 discount when ordering on-line. Showtime is 7:00 pm. 21 and over only.
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Karen Lovely Back At Duff’s
Normally, the Cascade Blues Association will not co-sponsor shows by artists who come through Portland too often, but in Karen Lovely’s case she has not played a show of her own in town for far too long. Sure, she has come through as part of the CBA’s 25th Anniversary Concert and the Honeyboy Edwards Tribute Concert, but for a full night of just Karen Lovely we’re way overdue.
Karen Lovely of course has been on a rampage since taking second place representing the CBA at the 2010 International Blues Challenge, releasing her second CD, Still The Rain, receiving three Blues Music Award nominations, signing with Piedmont Talent and looking at tours not only cross country and into Canada, but also upcoming gigs in Europe. She is going to be extremely busy over the next few months and may not be able to get up our way again too soon, so we need to catch her while we can.
Duff’s Garage (1635 SE 7th, Portland) will host an evening with Karen Lovely on Saturday, April 28th for a 9:00 pm show. This will be a CBA co-sponsored show, so make sure you have your membership card in hand to receive a $1 discount at the door.
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If you’re a true-blooded fan of authentic Chicago blues, this new release by Tail Dragger and Bob Corritore is right up your alley. Especially if it’s a dark, gritty to the bone alley that you can only find in inner city streets that a blues soundtrack would be most appropriately fitting. This is that soundtrack. With greasy vocals supplied by Tail Dragger that harkens back to your favorite Chicago singers like Howlin’ Wolf or Muddy Waters, they’re frightening and just oozing full of a lifetime of hardships that makes them so real. Backed by his longtime friend (as the title refers) harmonica master Bob Corritore, who may live nowadays in Phoenix, but has never lost that feel for the Windy City’s sound, this is one of the finest Chicago blues recordings to hit the market in years. And since this is a Delta Groove CD, you know that the label has thrown together a fine mesh of sidemen to compliment them every step of the way. And what sidemen! You just would be hard-pressed to find any finer than Kirk Fletcher and Chris James on guitar, Patrick Rynn on bass, Brian Fahey on drums and special guest Henry Gray throwing down fantastic keys and vocals on one track.
