Come to Mama! – Celebrating Etta James
One of the most important singers in the history of blues music, Etta James carved her reputation in the form of many indelible hits over a seven-decade-career. Her music lives on within the Portland music scene. This production reunites Portland musicians who collaborated a decade ago on the Tell Mama! Etta James Tribute, assembled after James’ 2012 passing by the late Portland keyboardist/band leader DK Stewart and saxophonist/horn arranger Chris Mercer. That lineup was featured at Waterfront Blues Festival, as well as at many other regional events and venues—including the Alberta Rose Theatre, and released a critically-acclaimed live recording. The line-up of vocalists for this production reads like a “who’s who” of the Northwest’s finest female leads— LaRhonda Steele, Rae Gordon, Lisa Mann, Amy Keys, and Lady Kat— all band leaders, powerful vocalists, and songwriters in their own right. Backing This powerful vocal quintet is an all-star rhythm section that includes award winning guitarists Whit Draper and Peter Dammann, keyboard ace Pat McDougall, drummer Ed Pierce and bassist Joseph Conrad. Joining them on harmonica is special guest Kim Field. Saxophonist/arranger Chris Mercer— a British expat who toured and recorded with such blues and rock legends as John Mayall, Dr John, Freddie King, Billy Ocean, and Bryan Ferry before relocating to Portland, where he has worked Paul deLay, Lloyd Jones, Kevin Selfe—took over the reins of this project as Musical Director with the passing of DK Stewart. Mercer has assembled an expanded six-piece horn section for this version of the Etta Tribute that includes: Allan Kalik and Rick Rier, trumpets; Chris Mercer and Scott Franklin, tenor saxophones; Rob Rayfield, baritone saxophone; and John Gordon, trombone. Tickets: $32.50 Advance$40 At the Door Minors ok when accompanied by a parent or guardian. Review our venue FAQ here
Quadraphonnes Presents: MOONDOG – Sax Pax for a Sax – Live
Influenced by classical, jazz, and indigenous American music, Moondog’s is one of the most improbable lives of the twentieth century: a blind and homeless street musician became a legendary eccentric in New York City and rose to prominence as a major-label recording artist and internationally respected composer. He became an honorary member of the New York Philharmonic at Carnegie Hall in the late 1940s. The Prestige jazz label released his unique, melodic compositions, and in the late 1960s, Viking-garbed Moondog became a pop music sensation on Columbia Records. Portland’s all-women saxophone quartet, The Quadraphonnes’ production of his Sax Pax for A Sax, is an ode to one of his most beloved instruments, showcases the range of the horn with a total of 11 saxophonists on stage. Moondog calls his saxophone project Sax Pax, underlining that in this case the saxophones are not to be linked with military bands for which the instruments originally had been intended, but are used exclusively for peaceful purposes.All the pieces are part of a series which Moondog calls ZAJAZ, “jazz” in two directions, like a Janus-head with two faces. There is one looking backwards into the past, represented by classical techniques of composing and the other face turned towards the future which is characterized by a new kind of combining old and new elements of music. The Quadraphonnes have been a veritable force within the Pacific Northwest for almost 20 years. In addition to being featured performers at beloved local Jazz festivals, clubs, concert halls, and radio stations, the “Quads” have toured SoCal, released several albums, and produced the multi-media event, Tone-Color Melody. A recent collaboration with Portland’s local film score composer, Mark Orton, resulted in their debut performance on the soundtrack of Miramax’s production of The Holdovers. In addition to performances small and large, the Quads are also deeply rooted in music education and love to teach clinics and workshops. Mieke Bruggeman, Chelsea Luker, Michelle Medler and Mary-Sue Tobin compose, arrange, collaborate, educate, and scheme to make as many people as possible fall in love with everything saxophone. TICKETS: When you buy a ticket consider making an additional donation to the Quadraphonnes Moondog Project at the same time! Thank you! Choose your price.All seating is General Admission (GA). $30 General Admission Advance $40 GA At the Door $50 GA + Donation (includes admission and a $20 donation to Quadraphonnes’ Moondog Project) $80 GA + Super Donation (includes admission and a $50 donation to Quadraphonnes’ Moondog Project) Minors ok with parent/guardianReview our venue FAQ here
Family Worship Center • Left on Tenth
The Americana stomp of Portland’s cult/band Family Worship Center meets the indie/alternative rock of Left on Tenth, as two of Portland’s most original and unique bands share the bill for an evening of music that is not to be missed! Tickets:$23 Advance$29 At the Door 21 & Over This is a partially-seated show, so you can dance Review our venue FAQ here
Cheryl Wheeler with Kenny White
It has always seemed as if there were two Cheryl Wheelers, with fans of the New England songwriter relishing watching the two tussle for control of the mic. There is poet-Cheryl, writer of some of the prettiest, most alluring and intelligent ballads on the modern folk scene. And there is her evil twin, comic-Cheryl, a militant trend defier and savagely funny social critic. The result is a delightful contrast between poet and comic.Kenny White opens the show with a set of his clever and musical original songs and accompanies Cheryl on her set. Kenny comes to the world of the touring singer-songwriter following a long and successful musical journey as a studio musician and producer. He regularly opens for Cheryl Wheeler and has toured as the opener for Stephen Stills & Judy Collins and many other well-known artists. Born in New York City, Kenny began his career in the 1970s, touring exclusively as the keyboard player for Jonathan Edwards and later with Livingston Taylor, on Linda Ronstadt’s legendary, “Living in the USA” tour. White contributed to film soundtracks as writer/musician including four films by Indie-director laureate, John Sayles. Kenny also appears on dozens of recordings of other musicians, including Marc Cohn’s platinum debut.. Tickets: $32 Advance$38 At the Door Minors ok when accompanied by a parent or guardian. Review our venue FAQ here
Can’t Let You Go – a benefit concert featuring OG8 and guest artist Jeremy Wilson
Can’t Let You Go is a special night of music with OG8 that’s also a fundraiser for Beatlore, a documentary in production about the life and legacy of Pink Martini musician Derek Rieth, who died by suicide and The Jeremy Wilson Foundation, a local organization supporting musicians and music industry staff needs as they navigate health challenges. Original 8 (OG8) is a collective of powerhouse musicians redefining the landscape of rock and roll. Composed of seasoned veterans, this emerging supergroup is primed to take the industry by storm. Known affectionately as OG8, their origin story is rooted in decades of musical collaboration, friendship and a shared ideology that states love of music over pursuit of ego. Fronted by powerhouse vocalist Jaime Lynch, OG8 effortlessly blends elements of funk, jazz and blues representative of each member’s individual style. With every song, the members of OG8 aim to uplift, inspire and unite listeners, creating a legacy of transcendence, healing and hope. Guitarist Troy Williver leads the band, which features Michael Underwood on drums, keyboardist George Mitchell (Diana Ross) and bassist Phil Baker (Pink Martini). The event includes a silent auction of a premium Breedlove European Spruce & African Mahogany acoustic guitar. All proceeds benefit Beatlore. In addition to the riveting new sounds of OG8, a short excerpt from Beatlore will be screened and Jeremy Wilson, former frontman for Dharma Bums, will open the show with his compelling new music. Proceeds benefit the documentary, “Beatlore” and the Jeremy Wilson Foundation Tickets$30 General Admission Minors ok when accompanied by a parent or guardian. Review our venue FAQ here
Gunhild Carling
Gunhild Carling is Sweden’s “Queen of Swing,” and she’s bringing her band back to The Alberta Rose!Gunhild Carling is an internationally acclaimed superstar whose show is a can’t-miss event! Whether she’s singing favorite swinging jazz standards, playing one of many instruments (trumpet, trombone, harmonica, oboe, harp, flute, recorder, or jazz bagpipe!) or juggling and tap dancing, Gunhild’s sublime showmanship shines. She blew us away last time she played, so we can’t wait to have her back! Tickets$39.50 Advance$49.50 At the Door Minors ok with parent/guardianReview our venue FAQ here
John McEuen & The Circle Band
John McEuen brings us a special night of songs and stories, AND laughs, sharing his incredible 50-year career with the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and of the landmark Will the Circle Be Unbroken record. When John initiated the Will the Circle Be Unbroken album with his group, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, he brought together the icons of Bluegrass, Country, and their West coast country rock: Earl Scruggs, Doc Watson, Merle Travis, Jimmy Martin, Roy Acuff, Bashful Brother Oswald, Norman Blake, Junior Huskey, Vassar Clements, and Maybelle Carter. Six hot August Nashville recording days produced this 36-song benchmark album. John’s multi-media show, with archival photographs, (8mm footage from 1967!), “…Circle…” session photos, and NGDB music takes us on his 60-year journey – interwoven with Dirt Band favorites, hot bluegrass, and his new music. Les Thompson, fellow Nitty Gritty co-founder, on bass, joins in the music and stories of ‘band life’ and more. Danny Knicely’s hot guitar and mando notes are complemented by his great vocal. All join host John McEuen, with his banjo, guitar, fiddle and mandolin (in front of the screen) for the hits and stories behind the NGDB music, leading up to that magic time when three generations came together. The Library of Congress inducted ‘…Circle…’ as one of “…the most important American recordings” (also, it’s in the Grammy Hall of Fame). His new album – The Newsman, a man of record – a spoken word album (on Compass Records) features John’s new music behind stories from America’s past.John was inducted in the American Banjo Museum Hall of Fame, 2018. He received the 2024 Josie Musician’s Lifetime Achievement Award at the Grand Ole Opry. Tickets:$35 Advance$42 At the Door Minors ok when accompanied by a parent or guardianReview our venue FAQ here
John McCutcheon
John McCutcheon is folk music’s renaissance man — master instrumentalist, powerful singer-songwriter, storyteller, activist, and author. “The most impressive instrumentalist I have ever heard.” – Johnny Cash Tickets:$30 Advance$35 At the Door Minors ok with parent/guardian Review our venue FAQ here
Lúnasa
Formed in 1997, Lúnasa has long been one of contemporary Irish music’s leading voices. Named after an ancient Celtic harvest festival in honour of the Irish god Lugh, the group that Folk Roots magazine once called an “Irish music dream team” was formed from members of some of Ireland’s greatest bands and over the years has proven its mettle time and again, having sold over a quarter of a million records, and collaborated with notable artists outside the tradition such as Natalie Merchant and Mary-Chapin Carpenter. They have performed more than 2,000 shows across 36 countries including high-profile concert venues such as Carnegie Hall, The Hollywood Bowl and many of the leading festivals such as Glastonbury. From the start, the band’s complex arrangements and unique sound reshaped the boundaries of traditional music and energized audiences the world over. Critical acclaim followed, The Irish Echo describing the band as the “the hottest Irish acoustic band on the planet”; MOJO magazine named the band “the new gods of Irish music,” adding that “nobody since the Bothies has wielded such a thrilling rhythmic underlay.” Billboard raved that “anybody who listens can’t help but find them contagious.” Lunasa’s current lineup includes Trevor Hutchinson, who achieved fame as the bassist with the The Waterboys; uilleann piper Cillian Vallely, who toured with Riverdance and recorded with Bruce Springsteen; Kevin Crawford, widely considered one of Ireland’s greatest flute players; award-winning fiddler Colin Farrell, who has performed with Project West, Grada and Michael McGoldrick; and guitarist Ed Boyd, known on the UK folk circuit for his work with bands such as Flook, Kate Rusby, and Cara Dillon. Tickets:$35 Advance$45 At the Door Minors ok with parent/guardian Review our venue FAQ here
Led Kaapana with Mike Ka’awa & Aurora Ka’awa, hula
A master of the slack key guitar, Led Kaapana has been one of Hawai‘i’s most influential musicians for four decades. His mastery of stringed instruments, exceptional picking style on slack key guitar and ‘ukulele, and extraordinary baritone to leo ki`eki`e (falsetto) vocal range, have made him a musical legend. A multiple award-winner, he was honored as an NEA National Heritage Fellow. Led is joined by longtime collaborator Mike Ka’awa, Hawai’i’s finest 12-string guitar player and one of its most highly regarded musicians. Known as “The Hawaiian Boy”, he describes his music as “Hawaiian with attitude”. Mike Ka’awa is the perfect match for Led. Since they began performing together in the early 2000s, they have crafted a remarkable musical rapport much like jazz musicians’ improvisations with each other. Mike’s hula dancer sister Aurora Ka’awa, a former Miss Hawai’i, completes the group. Tickets:$28 GA Advance$32 GA At the Door Minors ok with parent/guardian Review our venue FAQ here
