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!