Brasserie and Wilfs Saturday August 29th

We didn't go out enough this week or spend enough $ so Patti and I tried out Brasserie Montmartre; they were having live music and a new menu.  Music was by  Djangophiles, a group inspired by Django Reinhardt.

The food was good; the staff very attentive.  Djangophiles was good but not my style.  SO; we decided to eat more and spend more $ and rambled down to Wilfs to hear Devin Phillips and his quartet.

I like hearing Devin (or Karla Harris or Ron Steen or Kate Davis, etc.) at Wilf's.  The ambiance is perfect for jazz.  Good lighting, acoustics, size of room, old brick walls, and friendly staff.  Wilf's has supported the Portland jazz community for a long time and actively participated in the VHI/Gallo Save the Music program this year.

Back to Devin; he is a player.  Not a lot of stage chatter just solid jazz ala Coltrane; beautiful balance and tone (I don't think these are technical terms but this is my blog and my vocabulary).  Devin is also a very nice young man who appreciates his audience and gives 100% every time.

Devin Phillips with Sam Howard on bass and Jonas Olgolsbee on drums

This young pianist replaced Andrew Oliver for tonights set;  did not get his name but he played his ass off!

Signatures at Wallace Park, Thursday July 28

As I have said before, if I'm in town and not in ICU, I am diggin' the Signatures wherever and whenever!
This was their first public gig with their newest member Suzette Rodway.  Suzette is a good fit for the group; love her voice and her ability to blend with the tricky 4 part harmonies that make any evening with Signatures so special.

This particular evening was perfect; beautiful weather, Patti, her chicken salad, and my favorite girl group.
The first set was a set of jazz and pop standards from Lambert, Hendricks, and Ross to the Beatles to Earth, Wind, and Fire.  Tight harmonies, high energy, and expert backing from Bo Ayars (keyboards), Arick Gouwerok (bass) and Sam Foulger (drums).
The second set was a tribute to Carole King's Tapestry album; yes, they did every song!  I had heard them perform that set once before.
You know how I am always talkin' up this group; well if you want to see for yourself, get yourself a reservation at Tony Starlights on September 9th.  Patti and I will be there and as a bonus, Barbara has promised the girls will perform "Space Captain"!

Barbara, Kat, Suzette, Karla

Mark Simon Fund Raiser; Tony Starlights July 27th

Last Wednesday night, Tony Starlights Supperclub and Lounge was the host for a fund raising effort for the benefit of Mark Simon, local pianist and favorite to many of our top local singers.  Tony's was standing room only with a supportive crowd of friends and music junkies.

Instrumentals were anchored by the Tony Starlight band with Reece Marshburn, Gordon Lee, and of course, Mark Simon taking turns on the piano.  Tony opened the show with a lively and entertaining set and then turned over the stage to Mitzi Zilka for directing the large number of singers that took the stage including Barbara Ayars, Kat Cogswell, Karla Harris, Marilyn Keller, Mia Nicholson, and Mike Winkle.  A special treat was young Alexis Jackson, one of Mitzi's young students who put some real heart and soul into her tune (I am drawing a blank as to what she sang I remember thinking how rare it is to hear a young person put real emotion in a tune; they are usually too busy trying to impress with range and theatrics).

I am not real familiar with Mark Simon; I am sure I have heard him before.  The singers that performed all echoed what a wonderful accompanist he is.  Who am I to dispute?  I sure enjoyed his music Wednesday night.  Click on the link for more info about him.

Mark Simon; the man of the hour

Karla Harris, Marilyn Keller, Mia Nicholson,
Oh Buddy!!!!!!!!

Alexis Jackson; one impressive young lady!

Mike Winkle; solid as always

Gordon Lee; nuf sed!

By the way, check out Tony's web site for upcoming events.  If you haven't visited this club, you are missing out on a great evening out!

Cathedral Park/ July15-17

I coordinated volunteers to man the Jazz Society Booth for the weekend festival.  By the way, this has historically been the best deal in town!  Free concert, wonderful performances by our local musicians and beautiful Portland summer weather. 
NOT THIS YEAR!  The weather was lousy!  This is a shame because there was a solid lineup starting with the Blues Night Friday with Robbie Laws and Norman Sylvester and closing with Patrick Lamb and Tom Grant on Sunday.  Did I mention that the concert was free?
Robbie Laws was a terrific opening act; that boy can play!    I hadn't heard Norman Sylvester in years; his band was good (any band with Renato Corranto is good!), I did not care for the background vocals.

Robbie Laws gettin' it done - again!

Norman Sylvester and Renato Corranto

Patti and Jobu diggin' the blues!

By the way, there were a number of "old white people" doing some sort of outdoor festival dancing; you see that sort of thing at the Waterfront Blues festival.  Hey, to those I am describing - "Stop it!  You look ridiculous!"

Mike Winkle opened Saturdays set to a very sparse crowd due to threatening weather.  Too bad - a good show was missed!  Try to catch him at a local club - he regularly plays at Tony Starlights; he has a large songbook from British Invasion to contemporary jazz.  I did not stay for the afternoon set.

Sunday was cancelled due to weather; what is it with our summer?  It is messing with my golf game and outdoor music junkie activities.

Don't forget to check out the Signatures , my favorite "girl group" at Wallace Park on Thursday the 28th at 6:30.  Bring a blanket and picnic basket!

Karla Harris at the Benson, July 8

Feelin' the music

Karla Harris has always been one of our favorite singers both as a soloist and member of my favorite "girl group", the Signatures.  She gigged the lounge at the Benson last night backed up by Dan Presley (Tall Jazz) and George Mitchell.  Karla can do it all.  She moves as easily from jazz to pop as Ichiro goes from first to third (couldn't resist).  I was too busy enjoying her vocals, Dan's bass, and Georges piano to record the individual numbers.  However, if you like vocals, check her out at the Benson, chances are she'll be singing one of your favorite songs on her way to becoming one of your favorite singers.
By the way, Signatures is performing on Thursday the 28th in Wallace Park in Northwest Portland.  We'll be there!

July 7 Heavyweight Title Fight; Jimmy Maks

Muhammed Ali vs. Joe Frazier  - hey, fuggettaboutitt!!!   This was The Mel Brown Septet and the Alan Jones Sextet.  Check it out -

                                                Mel Brown Septet        Alan Jones Sextet

Drums                                     Mel Brown                   Alan Jones
Piano                                       Gordon Lee                 Darrell Grant
Bass                                        Andre St James           Tom Wakelin
Alto Sax                                  John Nastos                 Warren Rand
Tenor Sax                               Renato Corranto           John Brooks
Trumpet                                  Derek Sims                  Paul Mazzio
Trombone                               Stan Bock                     na

This "Battle of the Bands" was advertised as part of Jimmy Mak's 15th year anniversary.  It is a weeklong celebration of a club that is achieving iconic status in our town.  This wasn't as much a battle as a showcase for two groups of excellent musicians.

Mel started the show with a crisp 45 min set.  Alan's band then took the stage and responded in kind.  Just straight, hard sextet/septet arrangements (as Alan said, there aren't many places where you can hear more than a trio).
The fun really started when all members took the stage; solos by both players of each instrument with Alan doubling as drummer and traffic cop.  Mel and Alan closed the set with solos that went back and forth; Mel setting the pace with his cool efficiency and Alan attacking his kit with everything he had.  At one point,  my friend Steve Goebel looked across the table at me and wondered if he was hearing the best music he had ever experienced.  I think this question arises often at Jimmy Maks!

JD telling us how this is gonna work

Mel - in a word, "cool"

Alan working hard

Look at the talent on this stage; a $15 cover, are you kidding me?

Fab 2 at the beach

Fab 2 rockin' the house

keepin' the faith

Courtney and Dad

Am visiting my mother in Myrtle Beach through the July 4th weekend. Mom suggested we go to the "Cool Summer Nights" concert series at Brook Green Garden. Cool summer night in Myrtle Beach? In late June? Yeah, right!
Well, we were attracted by tonights concert of Beatle and British invasion music by The Fab 2. The Fab 2 are identical twins, Brian (keyboard) and Bruce (drums) McElroy. When, they first took the stage, I thought, "OK, I didn't pay much for this". Hey, this was FUN! They covered from "She Loves You" to "One After 909" with 20 tunes in between during a high energy 90 minute set.
Fortunately for Bruce, the air was fairly cool by MB standards because that boy pounded those drums the entire set! Both sang well and pulled off some good arrangements given the limitations of a duet.

I enjoyed the people watching!  It was fun watching everyone over 50 (and most under 50 as well) singing along; the crowd knew all of the songs, even some of the more obscure Beatle tunes like "Thank you, girl".

Next up; return to Portland for Jimmy Maks 15th anniversary party!