Oregon Music News

It’s ironic that even though in order to make a living at playing music in Oregon, you have to be able to play in diverse styles, there are many loyal groups of people who are fans of strictly one particular genre or another. There are Metal heads, Blues fans and Tango lovers to name a few. One of those groups is the folks who love Swing Dancing. Therefore, there are musicians who provide them with something to dance to. With me in the Artichoke Café today is Eddie Montejo who’s Rhythm Wrecker Dance Band is a favorite of our Swing Dancers. He’s the leader and the drummer. He also helped organize the Portland Lindy Society. So here’s everything you always wanted to know about Swing Dancing and Eddie Montejo.

Cellist Skip vonKuske is in the Artichoke Music Café, not his first time here but it’s a special occasion. Skip is moving out of Oregon after a long run as one of the founders of the Portland Cello Project, a solo performer and member of many other bands and ensembles playing all kinds of music over the past few decades. He’s staging a farewell show on Sunday, July 23 at the Star Theater with a vast array of musicians and bands Skip has played with. It’s called Cello Goodbye. Skip is one of the people responsible for cellos turning up in so many bands and ensembles over the past 30 years or so. Find out where he’s going and why and why the huge rise in the popularity cellos have found. We’ll miss him.

First of all, don’t miss the next Coffeeshop Conversation. It’s with Skip VonKuske Oregon’s beloved cellist who will be moving to Massachusetts in a couple of weeks. But this weekend is the Cathedral Park Jazz Festival, under that magnificent bridge in St. Johns. It’s the forty-third annual and it’s presented by the Jazz Society of Oregon. From the Jazz Society is Rita Rega who has been in on the planning and execution. I love that festival. There are hardly any spots in Portland that are as beautiful and although the festival has had it’s ups and downs over the years. It sure has been extremely up in the past few years. Meet Rita Rega.

If you thought Soul singer Andy Stokes has been missing since the clubs and concerts returned, you’re right. We’re going to find out why. Andy, no stranger to Coffeeshop Conversations is back with us and in the midst of a flurry of concerts. He’ll be singing with Soul Vaccination at the Waterfront Blues Festival on Tuesday July 4 on the South Stage. He will be singing some Tower of Power and a few of his originals. It’s always a treat to hear Andy’s big voice but especially so since he has just come out the other side of some health problems. He has as new album on the way, too. Welcome back Andy Stokes!

It’s a special edition of OMN’s Coffeeshop Conversations this time. At the other end of the Skype box is Jack Heyrman, an ex-label owner and producer and an old friend of mine. His label was called Clean Cuts and it is most famous for Dr. John’s first solo album called Dr. John Plays Mac Rebennack, recorded in1981. Jack also produced the follow-up The Brightest Smile In Town which was also solo. The two remain the only studio-recorded solo albums of Dr. John’s career. The Sundazed label is re-releasing the first one In August. Jack is with me to tell the story of how it happened. Welcome Jack Heyrman.

It’s not every day that we have a new music venue open up. Especially one like SoundsTruck Northwest, a brand new mobile stage, complete with concerts, begins its inaugural season on Sunday, June 18 at Cathedral Park. Other offerings in their Summer Series include concerts at the Japanese Garden, Mt. Tabor and Lewis and Clark College. More details here. There are many other concerts already scheduled for the summer. With me today is Amelia Lukas who is also a flutist and is involved in curating the Summer Series as well as working comms for them. So let’s welcome her and a big Portland welcome to our newest and most unique venue…SoundsTruck NW.

A couple of weeks ago composer/guitarist Ryan Meagher was here to talk about his latest recording, AftEarth a collaboration with artist Tina Granzo. If you heard it you realize that it had a profound impact on me. It is such a close collaboration that I felt we had to hear from the other half of the creators. So with me in the Café at Artichoke Music is Tina Granzo who’s drawings along with Ryan’s music have made this such an evocative work. Whether you think it’s about climate change or a document evoking those years we were quarantined, it is a remarkable work. So closing the circle, meet Tina Granzo.

Ever wonder what a music publicist does all day? Or even what one is? With me in the Artichoke Music Café is Nicole Lane who has much experience doing that. I know publicists. I get a hundred emails a day from them. I chose Nicole because she’s so good at it, as you will see. She works for Chamber Music Northwest but she’s done work for multiple genres of music. The job stays the same no matter what. And what is the job? Meet Nicole Lane.

Ryan Meagher is in the Artichoke Café with me today. He is a very busy man. Besides his career as guitarist and composer, he is also the Artistic Director of the Portland Jazz Composers Ensemble where he also runs their PJCE label. He also programs the Montavilla Jazz Festival, does a lot of teaching and I will run out of intro time if I continued to list what else he does. He’s here to talk about his latest project, a combination of his music and Tina Granzo’s art called AftEarth. It was written and recorded during the Covid lockdown. It’s one of the most unusual, compelling documents of that time. And something you should hear. Let’s talk with Ryan Meagher.

This is the three hundred and eighty-fifth episode of Coffeeshop Conversations. That’s a lot of talking and not all of it by me. Next week KMHD’s head honcho Matt Fleeger will be here and the following week Nicole Lane, ace publicist will visit the Café. Today writer Larry Colton is sitting across from me. He has authored six books, was the founder of Wordstock, now known as the Portland Book Festival. He was also a pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies and the beloved Portland Mavericks. What? No music? What me worry? By the time we’re finished that will not be an issue. Welcome back Larry Colton.

This is going to be fun. I’ve been looking forward to this one. Next time writer Larry Colton will be here and the following week Matt Fleeger, the head honcho and my boss at KMHD. But today across from me is ace bassist, all around smart guy, fellow Orioles fan and East-coast compare Dennis Caiazza. He’s generally not the headliner in the band but he is indispensable in any band he plays with. He’s musically versatile, specializing in Jazz and braciole. We’ll get to that. I just love saying the word “braciole.” We’ll also get to the Chicken Dance. Meet Dennis Caiazza

From the Artichoke Music Café….next week bassist Dennis Caiazza will be here, the following week, writer Larry Colton and the week after that, KMHD’s Matt Fleeger, my boss over there. Today, however one of my favorite people, saxophonist, teacher and bee person Mieke Bruggeman. She is one of the founding members of the Quadraphonnes, playing baritone sax in that wonderful saxophone quartet. Also, she is the Education Coordinator for and plays in the Portland Jazz Composers Ensemble. And she teaches in multiple schools and/or organizations. And then there are the bees. You heard me. She is queen of all the queen and other bees in her yard. That’s a first for Coffeeshop Conversations. Let’s meet Mieke Bruggeman.

It isn’t quite time for the 2023 Waterfront Blues Festival but it is time for OMN’s annual preview from the lips of festival Artistic Director and ace guitarist Peter Dammann. The festival is back at full strength after weathering covid. The same old beautiful grass-covered park alongside the Willamette July firsr to fourth. There will be some old favorites, others returning from long absences, newcomers we’ve heard about and some we will discover, that’s one of the delights of the festival. The cruises, the food, the sun and the breezes all await as does the headliner, Buddy Guy who is advertising this appearance as his “Damn Right Farewell Tour.” Welcome back Peter Dammann.

In the Artichoke Café again. Coming up in the next couple of weeks, Peter Dammann to tell us all about the lineup for the Waterfront Blues Fesival, Terry Robb, famed guitar slinger, and Jazz bassist Dennis Caizza. Today I’m very happy to welcome China Forbes of Pink Martini but not only Pink Martini, she has a new album of her own in the works and will be singing with the Oregon Symphony on Saturday, May 6. That’s a lot to talk about. As I’m sure you know China has been with Pink Martini since circa 1995. It’s something that’s taken her all over the world. One thing I will ask is has she ever gotten tired of singing Brazil. Let’s welcome China Forbes.

Next week on the pod, China Forbes pays a visit to Café Artichoke. Can’t wait for that one. Also coming up are Coffeeshop Conversations with Terry Robb and also Peter Dammann is coming in to tell us about the Waterfront Blues Festival lineup. Today Jazz pianist/composer Gordon Lee is here. He’s just as busy as ever. He’s a part of a memorial tribute to David Ornette Cherry on Thursday, April 13 at Alberta House. We’ll hear all about that and also about his upcoming album. Both something to look forward to. You know him, of course for his years with Mel Brown’s Septet. He’s as comfortable playing hard bop as he is on the outer edges of Jazz. Welcome Gordon Lee back to the podcast.

While we await the upcoming Coffeeshop Conversations arrivals of China Forbes, Gordon Lee and Peter Dammann it is my pleasure to introduce you to Shelley Garrett, the new Executive Director of Artichoke Music. She’s no stranger here, having booked the live music for the last couple of years, and also having been a fixture on the Blues scene in Oregon for a long time with her work with the Cascade Blues Association. She has a hand in several major events here, a spring clearance sale in the store March 31st – April second. Their first ever fundraiser Telethon on April 15 and A week of events from June 4th through June 10th in the Cafe’ to celebrate their 50th anniversary, culminating in a concert on June 11th with Artichoke favorites from years past. Let’s meet Shelley Garrett.

In the Artichoke Music Café with Portland Radio Project Executive Director Veronica Bisesti today. Coming up, pianist/composer Gordon Lee, new Artichoke Executive Director Shelley Garrett, Peter Dammann who curates the Waterfront Blues Festival and just confirmed, China Forbes of Pink Martini. But today….Veronica Bisesti has been with Portland Radio Project since it began in 2013. She does the Subculture show on Wednesdays from 7 to 8pm How is PRP doing? What does the future look like? They recently moved to a new location and are settling in just fine. We’re both radio station rats so let’s have some fun. Meet Veronica Bisesti.

There are some folks who just radiate light. I like to have them here on the pod. Today’s guest has been here before and when I heard she was involved in Siren Nation’s 16th annual tribute to Billie Holiday, I said, “Well ok! It’s time to have her back and catch up.” You know Marcia Hocker from her radio days at KMHD and now at KBOO. She’s curating the Siren Nation tribute to Billie Holiday where she will also MC and sing. That’s at the Alberta Rose Theater on Saturday April 8. Find out all about it, who else is on the bill, what she’s going to sing. She’s one of the nicest people in Oregon’s music scene. Welcome back Marcia Hocker.

Portland music's Joey Scruggs got hit by a car and now some in Portland's music industry are having a benefit for him on Saturday, March 18 at the Mission Theater. Listen to Steve Wilkinson, who put it together.

Wayne Shorter - SO IT GOES - Christopher Woitach And Friends 3 7 23, 6.27 PM by Oregon Music News