The "Van Gordon Singers"

Senor Music Man does not usually do private gigs.  I did this one because the feature performers included my very favorite singer, Miss Meredith Weber.  This holiday party is an annual event hosted by Diana and Steve ("Dr. Steve") Gordon.  Not only did we get to sing; we also got to play; I was on the broken tamborine (Joe Mueller broke it!).

Food and music were excellent!  Patti made me behave so we would be invited back.

Rick, Dr. Steve and the Great One

My Favorite Singer - "All I Want for Christmas is You"

Christmas with Tony Starlight

Another holiday tradition is to take the office staff to Tony Starlight's Supperclub and Lounge for Tony's Christmas show.  Tony's show is just plain holiday fun!  Friday night's show was sold out and everyone in the house was having a good time.  Tony was supported by the Tony Starlight band and particularly by the always entertaining and engaging Barbara ("Signatures") Ayars.  Barbara carried a big piece of the show and was, as always, in fine voice.  What I have not noticed in past shows was her considerable comedic talent, not only as a straight "man" for Tony, but getting her own share of the audience laughter.

We sat in the lower lounge this year.  This is the first time I have sat in that area; usually Patti scores seats right in front of the stage so our attention is always focused on the act on stage.  From our vantage we were able to see how effectively Tony and Barb involve the audience in the show.

Tony and his group will be performing several more Christmas shows, including a Dean Martin inspired production, during the holiday season.  Okay, I'll say it - check it out!!!!!!

Tony and Barb leading the way!




Amazing Tunes update

The following are tunes regularly performed by our local talent that should not be missed.  Let's all get out to the clubs that hire our gifted local musicians and performers.  This list is hereby dubbed, "Amazing Tunes".  If you have a proposed contribution to this list, let me know.

"Mother, Mother", Renato Caranto, Mel Brown B3 Quartet (Thursdays at Jimmy Mak's)
"When I Was Seventeen", Johnny Martin
"Pete Kelly's Blues", Art Abrams Swing Machine
"Operator", Signatures
John Coltrane's "A Love Supreme",  Devin Phillips
Anything by Meredith Weber

Blue Monk - AJAM

I'll start off by saying that I do not like Ornette Coleman - too strange for my layman's palette.  Saw him do some sort of 3 bass ensemble at Monterey several years ago.  It was the musical equivalent of my reading a Chinese newspaper.

SO upon arriving for my first visit to the Blue Monk; I was greeted with, "we are about to present a set of Ornette Coleman tunes".  Great...  Not only that, I was hungry and was presented with a menu of mostly Italian dishes.  Remember that I'm from North Jersey, that makes me an Italian food snob.  The planets were clearly out of alignment; Ornette Coleman and Portland Italian bar food - sigh!

Well, my fears were unfounded.  The Alan Jones Academy of Music (AJAM) students kicked more than a little tail with their Ornette Coleman tunes.  They call themselves "Johnsemble" as three of the members are named John (bass, trombone, drums) and joined by Nicole on tenor and Adam on guitar (who played some very mean stuff!).  I may have to give Ornette a try again, I really enjoyed what was presented on stage, particularly the tune "When will the Blues End?".  (The answer - never!)

I also enjoyed the baked Ziti I had for dinner; not bad even by North Jersey standards.

The only thing I did not enjoy was the noisy trio of dimwits sitting next to me; I swear they were louder than a drum solo.  Why the hell would you go to a music place to talk?  Don't get it!  By the way, this was JSO members night, right?  Where were you?  Ok; rant concluded.

The Blue Monk Thursday jam - check it out!

Sorry about the dark photos; Patti was not there to help me!

Jammin' with Ron Steen at Clydes

It has become a family tradition to go to Clyde's Prime Rib the first Sunday after my birthday.  It is one of my favorite gigs and the excellent prime rib served by Clyde Jenkins and his staff is a welcome break from the Thanksgiving fare.  Oh yeah, and every Sunday, folks in the lounge are treated to some of the hottest jazz in the city. Really!
Ron Steen hosts a jam in the lounge every Sunday at 8:30.  What a jam it is!!!  Ron is always supported by excellence on the bass and piano; last Sunday it was Phil Baker (recent inductee to The Jazz Society of Oregon Hall of Fame) and George Mitchell - excellence indeed!

George Mitchell, Phil Baker, and Dick Berk

Unfortunately, Ron had a gig and was late to the show.  Fortunately, Dick Berk sat in on the drum kit for the first hour.  YES and can I get an "Amen"?  Dick has played with such luminaries as Charles Mingus, Milt Jackson, and Freddie Hubbard.  And he still plays his ass off!  I couldn't take my eyes off him.

Dick Berk - 72 years old and going strong!

Ron then took his place on the kit and brought in Maryann Nicholas, Bill Harris, Cheryl Alex, and Rick Green.

Ron Steen - the man that makes it happen! 

Bill Harris

Cheryl Alex

Maryann Nicholas - "You'd be so nice to come home to"

Rick Green

The lounge at Clydes is a very intimate setting for this type of jam; you sit right on the floor with the musicians.  The amplification is soft and even though close to the performers, the sound surrounds but does not overwhelm.
Getting cabin fever after a day of Sunday football?  Head to Clyde's for some of the best prime rib and jazz in our city!!!
Next, on to the Blue Monk on Thursday for the Alan Jones jam - see you there!

Doctor Steve at Mireille's Bistro

Last night I was treated to the music of Doctor Steve, accordion master, at Mireille's Bistro in Beaverton.  Doctor Steve, aka Steve Gordon, MD, is a multi faceted musician who also plays clarinet and sax.  Steve moved easily among musical genres from classical, blues, show tunes, and pop.  We heard, "Black Coffee", "'Til There was You", "Yesterday",  "Amazing Grace", and many more.
His Roland accordion is not your basic squeezebox - this is one sophisticated instrument!  Although it somewhat resembles the accordion my Uncle Jack used to play, the depth and quality of sound is way beyond the scope of my memory of Uncle Jack's rendition of "In Heaven there is no Beer".  But, then again, that was Uncle Jack; this is Doctor Steve.

Doctor Steve

New Club - Ivories Jazz Club and Lounge

Ivories Jazz Club and Lounge opened last week!  This is a very nice club on 1435 NW Flanders St in the Pearl District.  A new club is always exciting and owners Art Trafton and Jim Templeton are working hard to provide live jazz in a very comfortable venue.  The staff was very accommodating and eager to please.

Last night we were treated first to Jazzesque, the duo of Rick Homer and Matt Schiff.  They have a great sound, I love Rick's soft muted trumpet and Matt's sophisticated guitar solos.

Rick Homer and Matt Schiff

Jim Templeton's Trio then took the stage for a solid set of standards and improvisation.  This is an experienced trio including Kevin Dietz on bass and Charles Neal on drums.  They were joined halfway through the set by Carey Campbell lending her vocal skills to tunes such as "Pennies from Heaven" and "East of the Sun/West of the Moon".  I was not familiar with Jim Templeton but was very impressed with this trio.  I'll hear them again.  One comment I would make is to adjust the stage lighting; Carey was singing in a shadow much of the evening.  Other than that, we enjoyed the music from both groups very much; we'll be back!

Jim Templeton 

Jim Templeton Trio

With Carey Campbell

Signatures at Tony Starlight's Supperclub and Lounge

The more I attend Signatures performances, the more tunes I add to my "favorite Signatures songs".  I almost find myself groaning when they introduce a new tune because it means that one of my favorites will be dropped from the evening's song list.  Well, I am learning not to worry - I have heard very few tunes by this solid quartet that I can do without (well, maybe "Love Me Tender")

Signatures started the evening with their special version of our National Anthem then had Ms. Maryann Nicholas join them with some classics from the 40's.  Maryann absolutely kicked *** on "I'll Never Smile Again".

The ladies then invited Tony Starlight to sing a beautiful interpretation of Johnny Mercer's "One for My Baby".

Set 'em up, Joe.....

The rest of the evening was pure Signatures; Barb, Karla, Kat, and Suzette (who, by the way, has hit her stride as the newest addition to Signatures).  Musical highlights include the "Harvest Moon" solo by Suzette, Barb's "Betcha By Golly Wow",  Kat's lead on "Killer Queen", and just try to keep still when Karla rips into the Eagles' "Heartache Tonight".

And, to cap off a wonderful evening of music and fun, the girls closed with the Manhattan Transfer inspired arrangement of "Operator" - my favorite Signatures tune.  They'll be back at Tony's on February 3rd.  See you then (if not sooner).

Post Script:

The following are tunes regularly performed by our local talent that should not be missed.  Let's all get out to the clubs that hire our gifted local musicians and performers.  This list is hereby dubbed, "Amazing Tunes".  If you have a proposed contribution to this list, let me know.

"Mother, Mother", Renato Caranto, Mel Brown B3 Quartet (Thursdays at Jimmy Mak's)
"When I Was Seventeen", Johnny Martin
"Pete Kelly's Blues", Art Abrams Swing Machine
"Operator", Signatures

Tea Zone/Camellia Lounge

A very cool spot to enjoy your favorite warm beverage.  I had the silver needle (white) tea and traditional scone served warm with lemon curd and Devonshire cream.  Oh yeah, they have live jazz 2 or 3 nights every week.  We enjoyed the Blake Lyman led jazz jam with Kevin Van Geem, Akila Fields, and Jim Prescott.   Blake is a very capable band leader who plays a strong sax but leaves lots of room for his band mates.  Kevin Van Geem impressed me with his smooth and understated work on the drums.  In fact, all the musicians moved as a unit and took the solos as they came.  It was really fun to witness the collective effort of these young men.

My favorite tune was Mr. P.C. from Coltrane's Giant Steps album featuring one nasty bass solo by Mr. Prescott - knocked me down!  Oh yeah, Darrell Grant sat in on one tune.  Are you kidding me?

The Camellia lounge is small but very well suited for a quartet/trio.  The food is good; staff attentive.  OK; it meets the Patti Weber test; I agree!  Really enjoyed our evening there and will definitely return; check out the TeaZone; some seriously promising events are coming up.

Getting nasty with Mr. P.C.

Blake and the boys gettin' it done!

Darrell Grant

Kevin Van Geem

Here Comes Gabby!

Gabby Holt is a singer/songwriter whom I have gotten to know at the local Starbucks.  Patti and I caught her show at the Alberta Rose theater this evening.  She is a high energy performer with a wide vocal range.  Listening to her reminds me of Jewel (my kids' generation) or Melanie (mine).  I particularly enjoyed her guitar work on her song "More" - think it was an original composition.  It was a short set and completely enjoyable.  She left her audience wanting more.  I'll hear her again!
I kept thinking how much I would like to hear Gabby fronting a full band; she has the voice to carry it.
We'll be back.
On another note, the Alberta Rose Theater is a very nice venue; kind of like the Aladdin with fresh paint - check it out!

Art Abrams CD Release "Speak Low - Swing Hard"

The title or Art's newest CD just about says it all about the party at the Benson last Sunday evening.  Art is a soft spoken band leader but the music he shared with the 300 in attendance was huge.  I simply loved it!
I wasn't alone - I looked around the room several times and saw nothing but smiles and gentle swaying to the music produced by Art Abrams and the Swing Machine.  Got there a little late but just in time for Dejection Blues, a loud, bluesy number; my kind of big band sound.  They followed that with "Evergreen", a snoozer in anybody else's hands but fun coming from the Swing Machine.  My favorite two pieces were "Pete Kelly's Blues" with Art playing the haunting trumpet solo that makes this such a special tune.  The other was "Serenade for a Bass Trombone" with a major solo by John Ohnstad.  I haven't been treated to that instrument before; loved it!

Pete Kelly's Blues

I bought the CD; you need to own this disc.  Click on the link above and you can order it online or visit Music Millenium.

Jazz Society of Oregon Hall of Fame - Phil Baker

Last Friday night, Jimmy Maks was the venue for the annual Jazz Society of Oregon Hall of Fame concert honoring the musical accomplishments of Phil Baker.  Phil's accomplishments are highlighted in a recent OregonLive article:(www.oregonlive.com/music/index.ssf/2011/10/portland_bassist_phil_baker_ea.html)

The show opened with a set from the West Linn High School jazz ensemble; the current holders of the Jeff Cumpston trophy won in last springs competition.  The following students brought their "A" game to the same stage where they won the right to defend the trophy next spring (more to be revealed in a future entry):

Tony Glausi, trumpet

Joonas Lemetyinen, trombone

Jenna Tatiyatrairong, piano

Austin Stofiel, bass

Alex Koehler, bass

Connor Betterman, drums

The main event was a quartet led by Phil Baker with Greg Goebel, Ron Steen and Rick Greene.  We were treated to two solid sets that both concluded with some very nice tunes sung by the lovely Toni Lincoln.  One particularly moving tune was an instrumental piece by Greg Goebel, "Oolitic" - I'm sure I missed the spelling.  A member of my table wrote the following note describing this tune:

"That song made me feel like I knew all of the contentment and all of the melancholy the songwriter had ever felt".  I can't put it any better than that.  Listening to these 4 excellent musicians and one fine singer again made me grateful to be in Portland, where I am treated to such inspired musical excellence every time I go to one of our local clubs.  Thanks for this memory!!!!!

Presentation of Hall of Fame Award from Jazz Society President Bill Powers 

2011 JSO Hall of Fame member Phil Baker

Ron Steen (JSO Hall of Fame member)

Greg Goebel

Rick Greene

with Toni Lincoln

Javon Jackson - "We Four"

Last Tuesday and Wednesday at Jimmy Maks, Portland jazz fans were treated to a John Coltrane inspired set from Javon Jackson, Mulgrew Miller, Nate Reeves and the legendary Jimmy Cobb (really!).
We heard music from a range of Coltrane numbers; songs like "You Don't Know What Love Is" and "Freddie Freeloader".   As I was listening to one of the tunes, I was reminded of the first time I heard "Giant Steps" and immediately noted a mathematical structure to many of the tunes on that disc.  Try listening to a Coltrane tune and think of those days (way, way back) when you first balanced an equation.  Then listen to the tune again.  OK, don't; up to you!
Also, clearly, Javon Jackson, Jimmy Cobb and Mulgrew Miller were the noted players in this quartet but, I was continually drawn to the bass of Nate Reeves as he provided the connective tissue between solos and kept each tune moving at a brisk pace.

This was a special night of music.  Getting to attend a show from such luminaries left me with two thoughts:

• Jimmy Mak has done a fine job of booking some excellent music for our community.
• AND, we have local musicians (Mel Brown, Devin Phillips, Nancy King, and many, many more) that turn out shows just as excellent, every week, throughout our city!

Javon

Jimmy Cobb - 81 years young!

Mulgrew Miller 

Nate Reeves; holding it all together!

Pete Petersen Septet featuring Johnny Martin October 20th

Pete has a monthly gig at Tony Starlight's Supperclub and Lounge.  Last Thursday Johnny Martin joined the Pete Petersen Septet as part of the Sinatrafest celebration running for the rest of the month at Tony Starlight's.  This was a real treat.  They opened with "Come Fly with Me", "Fly Me to the Moon" and "One for My Baby".  I loved the songs and the support by Pete's talented and energetic septet.  You can tell when a band is engaged and this one really swung!  Many of the songs in the first set were taken from Count Basie's "Live at the Sands" LP.

In the second set, Johnny performed "It Was a Very Good Year"; you need to go hear him just to catch this tune.  Trust me on this.  Another high point of the second set was an instrumental version of "Makin' Whoopee" with inspired solos by Stan Bock  (told you this was a talented band) and pianist Greg Goebel.

If you like the music of Frank Sinatra, check out Tony Starlight's events calendar; there are a number  of Sinatra inspired shows this month.  Next up - Javon Jackson at Jimmy Mak's on Wednesday - see you there!

You Make Me Feel So Young....

It Was a Very Good Year......

And it was a VERY GOOD SHOW!!!!

Pete - you da man!

The Tony Starlight Show

My niece Mandy and her friend Kandie are visiting from South Carolina this weekend.  We took them to Tony Starlight's last night for The Tony Starlight Show.   If there was a James Brown award for the hardest working man in the Portland music scene, Mr. Tony Starlight would be the man to beat. I cannot imagine how he runs his club and still performs several times per month.

The show is a musical comedy revue featuring many of Tony's characters such as Jimmy Durante, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Neil Diamond (yuk!), and Sammy Davis. Tony is supported by a very capable band led by Reece Marshburn on keyboards and featuring Arick Gouwerok on bass and Sam Foulger on drums.  Tony moves quickly between skits and musical numbers; the appreciative crowd is engaged.  I  had fun; but, I always have fun at Tony Starlight's Supperclub and Lounge.  Check out the website; he has some good shows coming up.  Patti and I are going Thursday night to hear the Pete Petersen Septet with Johnny Martin.  See you there!

Sabrina, celebrating her birthday, is interviewed by the Star Trek Guy (my favorite character)

Tony as Neil - God, I hate "Sweet Caroline"

At the Copa

And they say there are no good lounge singers anymore...

My favorite singer Meredith, friend Kandie and cousin Mandy