In Historic Downtown Silverton, Oregon

Their music is refreshingly unintimidated by musical border guards. It draws comfortably on country music, with all its geographical and stylistic tributaries, as well as swing, pop, vintage jazz, novelty and the Great American Songbook.
Richard Hadlock, Host & Producer, the Annals of Jazz, KCSM-FM

Retta Christie was an Oregon farm kid who learned to square dance and to accompany family members and her own singing with her guitar. She loves bristling Western swing, good Dixieland, cowboy movie music and clever song-stories by composers such as Floyd Tillman and Dave Frishberg. This is not eclecticism for its own sake--Retta has heartfelt reactions to a variety of songs and singers and she expresses those feelings by telling--singing--each story her own way. It's a winning gameplan.
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David Frishberg is held in high esteem around the world as composer, lyricist, pianist and singer. Happily for Retta, and for us, he also enjoys the less conspicuous role of piano-playing sideman and accompanist. His star-studded gig history includes Al Cohn, Bobby Hackett, Ben Webster, Irene Kral, Anita O'Day and Jimmy Rushing. You won't hear Dave sing here, but you will hear Frishberg the songster at work in the sensitive touches he employs to back Retta's vocal work.
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David Evans began playing saxophone and clarinet professionally around Alabama in his 'teens. He moved to New Orleans to study at Loyola and wound up playing with everybody in the Crescent City area. David's resume contains names such as Nicholas Payton, Pete Fountain, B.B.King and a gang of recording artists reflecting every facet of popular music.
 

Randy Porter Trio
with Reinhard Melz -- drums
and Dave Speranza -- bass

     Randy Porter is well known for his fine jazz piano performance. Porter credits Dr. Frank Marks at Humboldt State University for his classical training and musical inspiration. His jazz teachers at New England Conservatory, Fred Hersch and Jaki Baird, along with Art Lande and Butch Lacey, also enhanced his musical scope. As a Steinway Artist, Randy draws from a rich palette of sonorities found within his imagination and the depths of the piano. As a jazz musician, Porter has a refined understanding of improvisation and the spontaneous communication between musicians. Lynn Darroch of The Oregonian states, "Porter has built a reputation as a musician's musician, a knowledgeable, inventive, and sophisticated player with a remarkable sense of time and gorgeous keyboard facility.

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On The Piano: Born in Tokyo, Japan pianist Tony Pacini came to Portland, Oregon as an infant. A piano student since age 5, Tony led his first trio as a teenager, holding down weekends at a popular jazz spot. The piano made higher education possible for Tony, including study at Boston's Berklee College Of Music, courtesy of a Leonard Feather scholarship. 

On The Drums: Tim Rapp credits Billy Higgins' philosophy - to play what the music calls for, no more no less, with shaping his thoughtful approach to the role of the drums in jazz. Tim's exceptional talent caught the ear of guitarist John Stowell, leading to performances with world class vocalists Nancy King, Shirley Nanette and jazz guitar icon Herb Ellis. 

On The Bass: Long considered one of the West coast's first rate string bass players, Ed Bennett stepped onto the world stage in the 1970's, touring with jazz great Carmen McRae. Three recordings were produced during Ed's work with Carmen most notably the Grammy nominated "Live At The Great American Music Hall" on Blue Note Records, which also featured Joey Baron, Marshall Otwell and jazz giant Dizzy Gillespie.

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"Intensely musical".  This description aptly describes Carlton Jackson during a long and varied musical career.
A native of Portland Oregon, Carlton has been associated with many areas of the musical world, and continues to be a first call musician in the performance and recording industry. His flowing, incisive style, melded with a firm respect for the inherent tradition within different musical genres has made him the choice for local and national, and international projects.

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John Nastos was born and raised in Portland, Oregon. There, he studied with local jazz luminaries like Warren Rand, Renato Caranto, and Thara Memory. Before he was out of high school, John was enrolled at Portland State University, studying under Darrell Grant, Alan Jones, Charles Gray, and Rob Scheps.

John has performed around the Northwest and in New York City with groups and artists such as the Mel Brown Septet and B3 Quartet, Gordon Lee's Big Band, Auditory Sculpture, Rob Scheps, Ben Darwish, Drew Shoals, Dan Schulte, and more. He has played at many major festivals, including the Mt. Hood Jazz Festival, Portland Jazz Festival, and Ellensburg Jazz Festival, with his own bands (E4, John Nastos Acoustic Band) and as a sideman.  In 2008, John was the featured young artist of the Portland Jazz Festival.

In addition to performing and teaching in Portland, John runs JazzPDX.org - a website about the Portland jazz scene.

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Portland saxophonist Tim Willcox was born in 1975. Since then, he has been making slow but somewhat steady headway in the jazz world. Moving to New Jersey in 1994 to study at internationally acclaimed William Paterson University, Willcox had a chance to study with greats like Kenny Burrell, Harold Mabern, Vic Juris, Rufus Reid, Steve Wilson, John Riley, and many others. After graduating in 1998, Willcox moved to New York and got to play with Marc Copland, Jeff Hirschfield, Vic Juris, Reid Anderson, Ben Monder, Matt Pennman, Scott Mclemore, John Herbert, Michael Kanan, and tons of other really good musicians.

Portland based jazz trombonist John Moak has performed with many notable jazz artists including: Ella Fitzgerald, Doc Severinsen, Jack Sheldon, Dave Brubeck, Nat Adderly, Randy Brecker, Diane Schurr, Branford Marsalis, Slide Hampton, Clark Terry, Louie Bellson, Pete Christlieb, Herbie Mann, Rosemary Clooney, Ken Peplowski and James Moody.

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Dan Schulte teaches electric and acoustic bass at Portland State University and Clark College in Vancouver, Washington and runs the middle school strings at the Northwest Academy in downtown Portland. He taught bass and combos at the University of Idaho's Lionel Hampton School of Music Summer Jazz camp in 2002 and 2003. He has appeared and/or recorded with Andrew Hill, Jim Pepper, Roswell Rudd, Jerry Hahn, Mel Brown, Ralph Black and Ronnie Steen, Violinist Rob Thomas, Dick Berk, Phil Dwyer, Eddie Weid, Nancy King, Randy Porter, Chuck Marohnic, Chris Lee and Colleen O'Brien, Rob Schepps, John Stowell, Dan Balmer, Darrell Grant, Gary Versace, Kelly Joe Phelps, Suzy Stern, Lawrence Williams, Rebecca Kilgore, Warren Rand, Western Rebellion, Gordon Lee, Shirley Nannette, Graham Lear, Alan Jones Sextet, Kate Power, Dave Evans, Dave Valdez, Matt Lemmler, Christopher Woitach, Cheryl Alex,Bert Wilson, Jay Collins.

He has appeared at the Monterey Jazz festivals, Audi Jazz Festival, Cathedral Park Jazz Festival, Mt.Hood festival of Jazz, Bumbershoot Arts Festival, Earshot, and Portland Jazz festivals. He has also performed with the Portland Opera and Portland Chamber Orchestra, Salem Chamber Orchestra, Newport Symphony and Portland Youth Philharmonic. He studied jazz bass w Dave Holland, Don Thompson at the Banff Center of the Performing Arts, Mike Formanak in New York City and classical bass with Larry Zgonc and Curtis Burris.
 

After Hours Finale

From Woodstock with Joe Cocker, through ten years of touring with Tom Jones, to forming his Latin Jazz band, the Bobby Torres Ensemble, Bobby's been on the music scene for over 35 years. Visit www.bobbytorres.com to learn more. Bobby Torres is a record producer, songwriter, percussion instructor, session musician and band leader based in Portland, Oregon. Since 1995, the Bobby Torres Ensemble has been his central focus.

Driving Afro-Cuban rhythms boost this inspired blend of Latin, Jazz, Rock-n-Roll to create Bobby Torres’ signature sound.  The full band features Latin polyrhythms, tasty piano licks, a synco-pulsating Latin bass, five fat horns, and the harmonic tones
of three lead vocalists.

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We’d like to introduce you to the music of
Ron Kilde, Larry Fleetwood & Paul La Freniere.

A Trio of seasoned performers, with histories associated with names such as Ray Charles, Duke Ellington, and Henry Mancini, this ensemble presents a unique combination of instruments and a distinctive, infectious sound that appeals to audiences of all ages.
Equipped with a large repertoire that reflects their extensive background, the Trio offers interpretations of light jazz, standards and classic instrumentals presented with a delightful, “conversational” interplay on stage and with the audience.

Check out our latest CD at http://cdbaby.com/cd/kflf

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Born in Roundup, Montana.
Started learning saxophone (my dad's), in seventh grade. Began playing dances as a freshman in high school with a trio of saxophone, piano and drums.  Later it became a quartet and then a quintet.

After graduating I attended a Jazz School in Minneapolis and joined a territory band after completing the course. Traveled on the road until being drafted in 1951. Spent 17 months in Korea on a 90 mm anti- aircraft gun.

After discharge in 1953 I Attended the U. of Montana and received a BM degree in theory and composition.  Attended The U. of Iowa and recieved an M.A. in woodwind performance.

Taught instrumental music three years in South Dakota, one year in Montana and twenty six years in Silverton, Or.

Played in many jazz groups in Portland, Salem, and Eugene over the years. Played with or backed many performers such as Les Elgart, Bill Watrous, Doc Severinsen, Aretha Franklin, Manhattan Transfer, Supremes Maralyn McCoo, Diane Shure, Bucky Pizzarelli, Toshiko, Dick Hyman, Ken Peplowski, Frank Strozer and others.

Currently playing with The Art Abrams Swing Machine in Portland, and My Big Band, Octet and smaller groups using many of my own arrangements and compositions.

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Originally from Jersey City New Jersey, Eddie Parente has lived in Boston Massachusetts where he played in a Mexican Mariachi Band, while studying Classical Indian Music with Tabla master Shashi Nayak, attending Irish Traditional Music sessions, and playing in an International folk dance band.

While living in North Carolina, Eddie (at that time known as "Skip") met, joined, recorded and toured extensively throughout the USA, Canada, England, Spain, with the Irish/Canadian/American Folk group Touchstone, having an album voted "Folk Album Of The Year"

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John's passion for music goes back to his early childhood. His dad  sang and played guitar and both parents listened to all kinds of music around the house. John started to play the electric bass in his early teens and  started on the guitar not long after. In college he majored in music and began a serious pursuit of jazz guitar with great instruction from professor David Schiff and guitarist Dan Faehnle. After graduation he became a member of Portland's great jazz scene with help from people like bassist Ed Bennett, drummer Ron Steen and buddy and classmate Dave Weinstock, also an  excellent drummmer.

John moved to New York after several years of enjoying the scene in  Portland. He found himself playing gigs in clubs, on boats, in the  street, etc., both on guitar and upright bass. In NY he took up the  chromatic harmonica and played that on gigs to mix it up. He got to  play a lot with great friend and pianist John Coates. He earned a  Master's in jazz from the Manhattan School of Music and got a lot of  inspiration from his fellow students, professors, and private  instructors Jack Wilkins and Chris Rosenberg.

 In 2003, after several years in New York, John moved back to Portland  with his wife, Yuko. Its been a pleasure for both of them to play with  the great musicians here as well as to do gigs together as a duo.

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Bill Hughes Trio
with George Mitchell - Piano
and Ken Anoe - Bass
 

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George Mitchell has been pop superstar Diana Ross’ first-call pianist for more than two decades. Since 1980, he has accompanied her musical ensemble performing internationally… playing hundreds of concerts all over the world…as well as extensive touring throughout the United States.
Mitchell’s keyboard talents were featured in command performances for the Queen of England, and more recently at Super Concerts in Taipei and Japan, with Ms. Ross and renowned opera singers Jose Carreras and Placido Domingo.
He has made numerous appearances as an ensemble player on top-rated television and radio shows, including: The Tonight Show, Late Night with David Letterman, NBC’s Today Show and Oprah.
When not touring, Mitchell pursues his first love…playing jazz piano, Hammond B-3 organ, and keyboards. He also is a highly sought-after studio musician and jazz piano instructor.
From an early age, the Portland, Oregon native displayed a musical maturity and talent that landed him engagements with jazz legends such as Sonny Stitt, Philly Jo Jones, Richie Cole, Eddie Harris, Jon Hendricks and Kirk Whalum.
Closer to home, he lends his musical voice to all jazz styles, and is the keyboardist of choice for virtually every Northwest band leader from drum masters Mel Brown and Ron Steen, to leading vocalists Nancy King and Marilyn Keller. He has been pianist for the Dan Balmer Trio for more than a decade, and is the featured B-3 organ player for Saxophobia, a jazz quartet featuring saxophone impresarios John Gross and Warren Rand. In 2003, Mitchell released his long-awaited second CD Play Zone--a collection of refreshing, original compositions and jazz standards. It showcases Mitchell’s unique styling, and features several of Portland’s best jazz artists. In 2004, he was featured on the Ten Grands concert CD, a lively compilation of top pianists from around the USA. Mitchell’s 1997 recording, Perspectives, features all original songs in the classic jazz quartet. It goes without saying…George Mitchell is not only one of the most talented and well-respected musicians around, but one of the busiest!

Bassist Ken Anoe was a US Air Force Musician for over 20 years. He played in the Airmen of Note and later in a select jazz combo in Washington D.C. He has played at the White House and for heads of state from around the world. Ken currently maintains a busy gigging schedule in Portland.

Stan Bock-- Trombone

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In a relaxed and elegant style, with hot improvised solos, and rich, emotional stylings, Sally Palmer and Mark Lavin play jazz interpretations of well known and beautiful lesser known tunes from 1930's and '40's swing era, in addition to original music by Palmer and Lavin.

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Dave Denison -- Drums
Corby Simpson -- Upright Bass
 

Paul Painter - Piano
Native Oregonian Paul Painter began playing piano at a young age and knew this was his passion. By age sixteen Paul was on the road performing throughout the West Coast. He wrote many original compositions in collaboration with other musicians of the band Rage. During the 1970s Paul worked as a studio musician for Wally Heiders Studios In San Francisco. (Heiders Studios recorded such musicians as Credence Clearwater, Pointer Sisters, Herbie Hancock and others). During the 1980s Paul co-hosted Jam Sessions at Boones Treasury for more than ten years and continued to perform on the road. He also recorded solo with a variety of musical groups.

For the past two years, The Paul Painter Trio has performed throughout the Willamette Valley. Most recently the group has performed in Eugene, McMinnville and Silverton.

Dave Denison - Drums

Raised in Southern California, Dave drove to Hermosa Beach to learn jazz from the masters of the era at Howard Rumsey’s Lighthouse and Shelly Mann’s Mann Hole. After high school Dave joined the Air Force and was a member of The Three Sounds trio traveling the country playing NCO and officer’s clubs. Following his military service Dave moved to the San Francisco Bay area where he performed for many years with several big bands, jazz trios and sextets throughout the area.

Returning to his jazz roots Dave opened Aerodrums a drum restoration business with a focus on antique Roger’s and Ludwig drums. He also experimented with different woods and drum-building techniques creating custom snare drums for other musicians. Dave has performed with several jazz groups in the past few years, most recently two years with The Paul Painter Trio.


Corby Simpson - Upright Bass
Corby grew up in a musical family; mother played piano at home, father played drums in a jazz band. He studied piano for a few years, changing to electric bass, and finally added upright bass in 1992. Corby studied with Bruce Phares and Doug Miller in Seattle. Moving back to Oregon in 1995, he studied with Glen Moore and Tim Gilson. Corby has participated in the Centrum Jazz Workshop in Port Townsend, WA every year since 1990. Currently, Corby is performing with the Laura Cunard Band in Portland every Tuesday night at the Bethany Village Grill and The Paul Painter Trio.
 

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HOPE/DISAPPEAR

AND THE PERSONAL IS THE POLITICAL

THE POETRY AND STORY TELLING OF NANCY GORDON ACCOMPANIED BY PERCUSSIONIST DAVE CHILLER

Nancy and Dave will weave a journey that encompasses the mythic and the  ordinary.  Join them for an afternoon of opening the heart and the senses.   Nancy Gordon is a psychotherapist in Salem and has been leading people in journeys of creativity over that past fifteen years.  Dave Chiller is a musician and percussionist who facilitates rhythm circles throughout Oregon in connection with his organization Common Pulse, www.commonpulse.org

PSU Big Band under the directorship of Charley Gray

Mount Hood Big Band #2 with Stan Bock.

Western Oregon Big Band under the direction of Keller Coker.