Johnny Martin

Friday nights at the Heathman Hotel Tea Court Lounge feature the music of the Johnny Martin Trio, with Steve Christofferson on the piano and Marty Higgins on drums.  We spent the evening having dessert (the Peach Melba was wonderful!) and listening to Johnny's interpretation of some of our favorite songs.  The Heathman Tea Court is a perfect setting for an evening of jazz.

Tonight's set was loaded with standards by Cole Porter (Anything Goes!), George Gershwin (There's a Boat that's Leaving Soon for New York) and a number of other tunes made popular by Frank Sinatra.  What I like most about Johnny is the way he controls his mike with the proper volume so that the vocals are clearly heard but do not overpower the music.  His voice blends beautifully with his band.

His version of "It was a Very Good Year" was both poignant and powerful.  Man, I could hear it again and again.  Like some of my other favorite singers, he can give an original interpretation without corrupting the song. 

Check him out on Friday nights at the Heathman.  Also, he will be singing with Pete Peterson's Septet at Tony Starlights Supperclub and Lounge on October 20th during Tony's Sinatrafest.   That should be a serious gig.  We'll be there!

Johnny, Steve, and Marty

Croonin'

Signatures at Tony Starlights September 9

My Favorite Girl Group!!!!  You gotta hear them to know what I'm talking about.  In this day of poor singing style by the current generation - you know that Mariah Carey warbling and whiney scaling, it is fun to hear people who can take a song; make it special and yet not corrupt.

First set was a variety of new tunes and familiar Signatures interpretations on the "classics".  I must admit that when Kat and Karla teamed up for "Dog and Butterfly", the hair on the back of my neck stood at attention.  Seriously WOW!  And, just to show off their versatility, the quartet belted out a song from the Queen songbook.  Yes, Meredith, Queen!

The second set was the entire Carole King Tapestry album.  Barbara stood out with her solo of
"Will you still love me tomorrow?"  Damn right, I will!

Just to keep us off balance, they ended the show with "Love me tender",  normally a 'gag me with a spoon' song but more than tolerable in their hands.  ( Hey, Barb, Space Captain would have been more fun!)
I love this group!!!!!!

Dog and Butterfly - Oh My!

Karla

Suzette hittin' her stride.

Yes, Barb, we'll still love you tomorrow!

The Man behind the curtain - Bo Ayars.

Guest Pete Peterson; yes!

Little Lady with a BIG VOICE

I have enjoyed Shelly Rudolph for years.  Patti and I have spent several evenings in the lounge at the Lake House in Lake Oswego listening to Shelly sing with Tom Grant.  The people watching in the place is an added bonus.

A couple of Sundays ago, Shelly and her musical partner Chance Hayden performed in the South Park blocks by PSU.  Like any good singer, Shelly is versatile; her numbers included songs by Aretha, Van Morrison, and Ben E. King.  BUT, when she launched into a version of Stormy Monday, she separated herself from the pack.

Despite the weak outdoor acoustics and noisy crowd, Shelly got it done.

She and Chance are holding a special event on Sept 29th.  The press clipping is below.

PORTLAND, Ore. – September 6, 2011 - In honor of their baby-boy-to-be, musical couple Shelly Rudolph and Chance Hayden present a “It Takes a Village: An All-Star Concert Celebration” featuring more than ten local celebrity musicians, who will perform familiar favorites and rare gems together in musical groupings never seen before. “It Takes a Village” brings the community together to commemorate the coming of its newest member and invites support for this new life to thrive. A raffle and silent auction will be held during the event to raise funds for the couple’s medical expenses and parental leave. The event takes place Thursday, September 29 beginning with the silent auction at 7pm followed by the concert 8pm. It is open to the public and all ages – tickets are $10 / $50 for the VIP package.

Music aficionados and baby lovers alike shouldn’t dare miss this once-in-a-lifetime event which promises to be the most heartfelt concert of the season, and will be expertly emceed by Tom D’Antoni, writer, TV producer, and Editor-In-Chief of Oregon Music News. Rudolph and Hayden are thrilled to unite a Portland A-list All-Star Concert includes Tom Grant (legendary pianist), Bobby Torres (Latin jazz percussionist toured with Joe Cocker and Tom Jones), Darrell Grant (internationally renowned pianist, composer and PSU professor), David Goldblatt, Farnell Newton, Ben Fowler, Richard Arnold, Bre Gregg, Dave Captein and many more.

The name “It Takes a Village” illustrates all of the love and support needed to raise a child – support from the extended family and community. Family, friends, local businesses and musicians are all generously donating their time and services to ensure that 100% of the event’s proceeds go to the happy couple.

“I am honored to be involved in such an important celebration. They will be incredible parents, and I am excited to be involved in an event that will start them off on the right foot.” said Tom Grant of his involvement in the show.

Soulful jazz diva Shelly Rudolph and guitarist Chance Hayden received a playful designation as Best Musical Couple by Oregon Music News editor-in-chief Tom D’Antoni.

“The emotion within a love song can reach further when its performers relate to it together through a bond that’s deep and true” said Hayden, who first met Rudolph at a jam session nearly five years ago. Since becoming a happy couple they have continually brought their unique chemistry to the stage through many musical projects.

The child-to-be is already receiving a heap of early musical influence while both parents maintain rigorous schedules of gigs and prepare an all-star celebration in his honor – Rudolph’s last major performance before the little star’s arrival. Rudolph and Hayden are proud to bring this once-in-a-lifetime event to Portland’s beautiful Secret Society Ballroom.

Date: Thursday, September 29^th                             Venue: Secret Society Ballroom

Time: 7 p.m. doors / 8 p.m. show                         Address: 116 NE Russell St. Portland, OR

Tickets: $10/$50 VIP package                               Telephone: (503) 493-3600

 Check it out!!!!!

Shelly and Chance at PSU

My Favorite Singer; Tony Starlights Supperclub and Lounge; August 11, 2011

Meredith opening the set

Sorry, Kat, Karla, Barbara, Duffy!  My heart goes out to a younger woman!  This was the monthly Cabaret Chanteuse hosted by Gretchen Rumbaugh at Tony Starlights to an SRO crowd. Meredith (and yes, Sam, she got her pipes from her Mom!) opened the evening with a musical theatre number and moved to Adele, Billy Joel, and one other (she told me and I forgot already).  She had a big job as she was followed by Wendy Westerwelle (Larson) her high school drama coach, Claudia Knauer and, wow, Duffy Bishop!  My girl was up to the task; I watched her entire set and she didn't screw up once (a private joke).  OK, gush, gush, gush.

Feelin' it!

Wendy followed with a set both funny and poignant.  She is a true entertainer; I expect her monologue at the start was completely unrehearsed; she can do that with the best and had the audience in stitches.  Her vocal chops are still strong as ever!  She is fun!



Hey!  This is good stuff!

 I had never heard Claudia Knauer prior to last night.  She is obviously an experienced performer. Her voice reminds me of late night clubs in New York.  There was always a blues singer holding court in the corner commanding the attention of those late night patrons.  And, yes, Don, I do remember some of those evenings!  I enjoyed her set very much.

Claudia at work!

The last set was from Duffy Bishop; "Miss Duff" has been on my first team for years!  I have gone to her shows for over 20 years; starting back in the old Key Largo club.  I have (I think) every one of her cds; her Back to the Bone is one of my very favorite disks.  To say Duffy has a big voice is like saying that it gets warm in South Carolina!  At one point, she dropped her mike to her side and let go with full voice.  The folks in the back didn't miss a note!  Hey, and I got a hug afterward.  Eat your heart out.

Am I gettin' through to ya?

Thanks to Gretchen and Tony Starlight for creating this showcase for a lot of very talented Portland performers to show their stuff.   Also, kudos to Darcy White for her excellent accompaniments, keeping everyone on task, and not using any four letter words in front of Meredith's Mom.

See ya next time!

Tumalo Feed Company - August 6th

That's right!  You got a problem with that?  This is my favorite place to hear music in Central Oregon.  Why?  Pat Thomas!  Pat has been playing the lounge (bar) at Tumalo Feed Company for 20 years.  After 20 years, almost anyone else would wear out their welcome.  Not Pat!  He plays country with a lot of Jimmy Buffet and a little pop thrown in.  He plays guitar, sings, and backs himself with some synthesized music.  Hey, check it out! Pat is a pleasure to listen to while enjoying a good steak (with all the trimmin's).  And the people watching is a bonus!

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