What is the new magic of music? If you trace the path of a plan back to its beginnings, what do you find? Is it a tree, growing from seed with deep roots planted in fertile soil, branches arcing out in all directions? Or a spark in the dark, an electrical charge? Is it a waterway, with swirling currents raging to create a river? Or is it a snowflake, falling from on high and dropping down to earth with a singular splash? For Son Little, the genesis of a musical idea, the magic, remains largely a mystery. But his kinetic ability to summon that energy all the same, to command it, hold onto it, and set it in motion, is the stuff of alchemy.

Son Little, the singer and songwriter born Aaron Livingston, is the easygoing musical alchemist of our time. He is a conjurer, and much like those of his heroes Stevie Wonder and Jimi Hendrix, his songs are deconstructions of the diaspora of American R & B. Deftly he weaves different eras of the sound, blues, soul, gospel, rock and roll, through his own unique vision. Never forced, always smooth, each note a tributary on the flowing river of rhythm and blues, capturing the diverse spirit of American music in a fresh and modern way.

Son Little will perform at the Doug Fir Lounge, 830 E Burnside, on Friday, November 10, at 9:00 pm. Tickets for this 21 & over show are on sale in advance at Ticketfly.com for $15.00

Opening will be Jade Bird, a rising star on the London music scene, delivering a fantastic mix of alternative folk, country and pop, with a voice that can silence the busiest bar.

Seattle’s Michele D’Amour and the Love Dealers will be making their debut performance at Catfish Lou’s on Saturday, November 11 to celebrate their latest release Lost Nights At The Leopard Lounge. The album is a soulful throwback to Chicago blues and the juke joints of the Mississippi Delta. D’Amour whose voice has been compared with Bonnie Raitt and Marcia Ball is a born storyteller and songwriter, with a flair for writing lyrics that deal with difficult topics with a soulful whimsy and wry humor. The band is made up with D’Amour’s husband Patrick McDaniel on bass, Ryan T Higgins on guitar and Ronnie Bishop on drums.
Catfish Lou’s is located at 2460 NW 24th Avenue. Show time is 9:00 pm. Admission is $10.00 at the door and tickets can be purchased in advance through Tickettomato.com.

Four of Portland’s favorite internationally recognized musicians gather once again to celebrate the music of blues legend Muddy Waters at The Lake Theater & Café on Monday, November 13. Guitarist Alan Hager, harmonica ace Mitch Kashmar, drummer Jimi Bott and bassist Dean Mueller all relish in the performance of old school traditional blues and will feature a night filled with the songs of Muddy Waters and his influences performed in the original style. And to make the show even more special, the lower level of the theater will be opened up for a dance floor.
Tickets can be purchased in advance at the venue’s website Laketheatercafe.com for $15.00. The Lake Theater & Café is located at 106 N State Street in downtown Lake Oswego.