“Piper has the kind of voice that lulls men to their doom. It’s soft and sweet when it wants to be, scared and vulnerable a moment later, then ripping through you like a razor… Piper commands songs utterly.” – Jeremy Loome, The Edmondton Sun

One listen will tell you why in her homeland Anni Piper is known as the First Lady of Blues. Not only is she a sultry vocalist, but an insightful composer, accomplished bass player, and show stopping performer. Born and raised in Australia, her passion for blues was ignited by the sound of Stevie Ray Vaughan. Picking up a bass guitar at age 14, Piper completed a Bachelor of Contemporary Music degree at 19 years of age. Finding it difficult to resume her performing career following the birth of her son, Piper recorded her debut album ‘Jailbait’ in 2004. She was immediately signed to Black Market Music, Australia’s most prestigious blues label and began touring throughout the country. She has since been honored with multiple nominations and awards from the Australian Blues Music Awards, ABC Radio “Fresh Air” contest, and songwriting contests in both Australia and the UK. Piper has since recorded with the American label Blue Leaf Records and most recently released her newest album, More Guitars Than Friends, on her own Sugar Daddy Records label. Now living in the US, she has toured 35 states, playing in major venues such as The House of Blues and BB King’s.

Anni Piper will be heading to Oregon in mid-August, with her first ever appearance at The Birk on Friday, August 11. Show time is at 6:00 pm with tickets available in advance at TicketTomato.com for $10.00. Admission at the door is $15.00. The Birk is located at 11139 Hwy 202 in Birkenfeld.

On Saturday, August 12, Anni Piper will be performing at the Bronze Blues & Brews Festival in Joseph, Oregon.

The Claudettes fuse Windy City piano blues with the full-throttle energy of rockabilly and punk, jazz-age echoes of burlesque and vaudeville, and the sultriness of ’60s pop-soul to write a thrilling new chapter in American roots music. Group founder Johnny Iguana mashes the piano alongside singer Berit Ulseth, bassist/singer Zach Verdoorn, and drummer Matt Torre. Johnny, who has toured and recorded with blues legends Otis Rush, Junior Wells, Buddy Guy, and James Cotton is also a member of two Grammy-nominated groups: Chicago Blues–A Living History and the Muddy Waters 100 Band.

When The Claudettes perform, they roam through a wide range of dynamics, often following a stomping rocker with a ballad offering the mellowest of mellow tones. They’ve created their own fanatical fusion of blues and soul-jazz, like Ray Charles on a punk kick. Imagine an amped-up piano hybrid of Otis Spann, Ray Charles, and Mose Allison, joined by a jolly madman drummer and conducted in gonzo fashion by Raymond Scott. There’s plenty of Chicago-style piano pounding, but it’s also an adventure in melting-pot music, with punk/rockabilly energy as well as lush soulful vocals. It’s definitely a performance to be witnessed and one that you’ll soon not forget.

You have the chance to catch The Claudettes as they wind their tour through Portland on Wednesday, August 9 at Catfish Lou’s, 2460 NW 24^th Avenue. Show time for this 21 & over performance is 9:00 pm, with a $8.00 admission at the door, with tickets available in advance only $5.00 through TicketTomato.com.

Brody Buster hails from Lawrence, Kansas and gained international attention this past January at the International Blues Challenge where he not only earned the second place win in the solo/duo competition as a one-man band, he also took home the award for best harmonica player. But though still a young man, he has been around the music scene for a number of years. A former harmonica child prodigy, he has been featured on countless TV shows, including the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Dateline, Crook & Chase, and the Jon Stewart Show.  Even Baywatch Nights and Full House showcased Brody’s musical talents. Brody has shared the stage with Quincy Jones, Keb Mo, Chaka Kahn, Lee Oskar, and was a regular performer at B.B. King’s Blues Club. In fact, the late B.B. King once noted that “despite his age, Brody Buster is one of the greatest harmonica players of our time.”

“The music that Brody Buster performs is authentic, engaging, lively, and real; “no artificial sweeteners added.” – Barry Kerzner, American Blues Scene

Brody Buster will be bringing his one-man band performances to Oregon for the first time this August with three dates throughout the state.

He will be appearing at The Pines 1852 Tasting Room, 202 Cascade Avenue, Suite B, in Hood River on Friday, August 11. Please contact the venue for show time and admission information at 541-993-8301.

On Saturday, August 12, he will be in Eastern Oregon as part of the sensational line-up at the Bronze, Blues & Brews Festival in Joseph.

Then on Sunday, August 13, he will once again travel across the state for an afternoon performance at The Birk, 11139 Hwy 202, in Birkenfeld. Show time is 2:00 pm with an admission of $10.00 at the door.

When The Rad Trads formed in the Spring of 2012, they were meeting each other in New York City’s East Village for the first time, transplants from Chicago, Portland, and Washington D.C., looking to play with the best musicians they could find. Their horns, guitars, drums, and love for the classics like The Band, Allen Toussaint, and Dr. John brought them together — and of course, beer.  Making rent playing four-hour gigs in every bar and beer hall that would have them, the guys dominated New York City and Brooklyn with their punk-rock energy and showmanship, so they decided to take their show on the road. Almost five years later, the Rad Trads have played on four Continents, headlining tours and opening for acts such as Tom Jones, Charles Bradley, Buddy Guy, Taj Mahal, Margaret Glaspy, The Lone Bellow, Con Brio, and Dustbowl Revival. They have toured Europe six times, played in 14 countries, 32 U.S. States and are soon releasing their second full length album of original music with its own creative direction and sound. Members of The Rad Trads have performed or recorded with renowned acts such as St. Paul & the Broken Bones, Deer Tick, Lee Fields & The Expressions, Jon Batiste & Stay Human, Sarah Jarosz, Christopher Paul Stelling, David Duchovny,  Lenny Pickett, Red Baraat as well as leading their own critically acclaimed bands.

The Rad Trads will be coming to Portland on Thursday, August 17 as part of a double bill alongside Reno’s funk soul outfit The Sextones taking place at Goodfoot Lounge, 2845 SE Stark Street. Show time is 10:00 pm. Contact the venue at 503-239-9292 for admission information.