August 2017 - Page 2 of 3 - Cascade Blues Association

Award Winning Danielle Nicole Returns To The Birk

Kansas City’s Danielle Nicole has lived a lifetime of music and knows how to command a stage. It is easy to see just how much of herself she puts into her music, whether belting out a fiery song or working her bass. Originally breaking out big time with her brothers in the band Trampled Under Foot, winning the 2008 International Blues Challenge, and since going solo to high success, Nicole has won Blues Music Awards, recorded with the likes of Curtis Salgado and the North Mississippi All Stars, and has been touring recently on a bill also featuring Los Lobos and the Tedeschi Trucks Band. She will be heading back to Oregon for one night only, supporting her most current Blues Blast Award winning release Wolf Den.

On Thursday, September 21, Danielle Nicole will appear at The Birk, 11139 Hwy 202, in Birkenfeld, at 7:30 pm. Tickets are available in advance through Tickettomato.com for $10.00 or can be purchased at the door day of show for $15.00.

Catfish Lou’s to Host The Kings Of Blues Tribute

Past PDX Blues Event

B.B., Albert, and Freddy King have all departed but not before leaving an infinitesimal legacy of Blues. Every blues guitarist on this planet has been inspired, schooled, and enthralled by the works of these three Kings.

With that in mind, The Kings Of Blues Tribute Band will be paying homage to these masters in a rare confluence of three of Portland’s premier guitarists at a special event happening at Catfish Lou’s on Friday, September 29. A collective 150 years of experience resides in these masterful string benders. The list of accomplishments and collaborations of these players are endless but a sampling of their work includes Michael Osborn as lead guitarist for John Lee Hooker for 13 years; Kenny Blue Ray playing and recording with Marcia Ball and Stevie Ray Vaughn; and Peter Dammann as Paul deLay’s lead guitarist and the musical director of Portland’s Waterfront Blues Festival. While Albert, Freddy, and B.B. each had their own signature and style, so it is with Michael, Peter, and Kenny. Each of these gentleman will showcase the nuances of the original kings of blues and add their own magic as well. Michael also promises to sing a few for you.

With all great blues bands, a solid rhythm section is imperative. On drums is Portland veteran John Moore whose resume reads like a who’s who of blues including stints with people such as William Clarke, Curtis Salgado, and Bill Rhoades. Holding down the bottom line on bass is multiple Muddy Award nominee KG Jackson, who will also assume vocal duties and belt out, as only he can, many of your Kings favorites as well as some excellent originals.

This will be an amazing show that is surely not to be missed. Never again will we see the original Kings but this is your chance to recall your favorite songs by BB, Albert, and Freddy. The Kings of Blues have spent a lifetime studying the original blues greats and vow to keep their spirits alive. Come celebrate this tribute to the masters at Catfish Lou’s in what’s sure to be a blues party like no other!

Catfish Lou’s is located at 2460 NW 24^th Avenue. Show time is 9:00 pm. Admission is $10.00.

Bandstand Sept 2017

Band Stand

Lloyd “Have Mercy” Jones

Looky Here Blues Fans!

With exotic summer touring from Italy to Alaska, LaRhonda Steele and Lloyd “Have Mercy” Jones will join forces for a Spectacular Double Show/Concert Saturday September 23^rd at Portlands “loveable” Catfish Lou’s Lounge, restaurant, and dance emporium (2460 NE 24^th , PDX)!!! LaRhonda will be featured early in the evening singing songs from her latest recording and the Join “The Lloyd Jones Struggle” for delightful collaboration! Don’t miss this first appearance back home for both artists since the Waterfront Blues Fest. We sold the place out back in April, so get your tickets early!! (503-309-1203) www.catfishlous.com

BTW – Speaking of Catfish Lou’s, I would like to mention our new Thursday night music creation of “The Swamp –O- Phonics” w/ Mark Shark (Slide Guitar, Mandolin, mastery of open tunings, and vocals), Carlton Jackson (Drums and occasional vocals), Lloyd Jones (vocals, multitude of exotic guitars, magic new songs, stories of the known and unknown universe). The first few weeks we will host special traveling artists. The first will be the spectacular and big-time Delta Groove recording artist favorite of mine… the beloved… TERRY HANCK!!! That’s Thursday September 7^th.

Lloyd “Have Mercy” Jones

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David Kahl – Soul Cookin’, Bayou Boyz, and Other News

Well now, it looks like we survived the Summer and are readying ourselves for a lively Fall. For me, this has been a season of transitions and, difficult though they were, I’ve been lucky to have all manner of support from too many of you to list.

At the beginning of the season, my muse and the love of my life, Lynn Marie, went into Cornerstone, a skilled nursing facility that is, truly, a blessing. I am thankful for the loving care and attention they provide, allowing me to play my gigs without worry. Gratitude also goes out to Duffy Bishop, Chris Carlson, Mitch Kashmar, and many others who have visited Lynn and made the transition easier. I’ve also been able to address my own, long neglected health issues and, so far, it looks good.

Sad to say that, because of these issues, I had to say goodbye to playing with Ty Curtis, my last gig being on a high note, at Waterfront Blues Festival, with him and Robbie Laws. Fortunately, I had plenty of good distractions at Hotel Rose – the series there was as successful as could be, with United By Music North America “Blues Brunch”, Happy Hour Acoustic Series, and “Midnight Rose: Hotel Rose After Dark”, this year hosted by the Bayou Boyz and special guests. Thanks to all who contributed to making this a memorable year.

Keeping my eyes on the musical prize, I was blessed to have the support of many musical friends – Boyd Small’s Blues Allstars, Robbie Laws, and, on a weekly basis, Soul Cookin’ and the Bayou Boyz. These last two keep the juices and the chops in good form. Those who know me best know that the joy of playing is not found in just filling out the calendar, but in the spirit of communion, camaraderie, and community that is provided. What’s been greatest about our Sunday evenings and Wednesday nights has been how the musical family has grown. The core – Brian Foxworth, Don Worth, Lloyd Jones, Mark “Shark” Schatzkamer, Steve Kerin, Dover Weinberg, and Louis Pain – has been augmented and enhanced by others – Jesse Lee Young, Paul Brainard, Pete Moss, Les Hutchinson, Karen Lovely, Kris Deelane, Peter Dammann, and others. You are all the pillars of my strength.

With this said, there’s more. A year ago, I had an idea that is now becoming a reality. The Creative Community Cooperative Project is a proposal for creating equity for working-class creatives. We’re an Oregon registered non-profit, now on our way to certified 501(c)3 status. It’s a model for building high impact, small footprint cultural communities that provide living and work space, performance and exhibition venues, and a range of human services for artists and artisans trying to survive in this city. The vision is for this developing into a network of such cultural safe spaces and, already, we’ve got interest from places as far away as Austin, New Orleans, and even Missoula, Montana. Be prepared. By year’s end, you’re going to be asked for some sort of support and involvement. You won’t be sorry to step in. There’s a lot of work, but it’s parsed out in easily attainable bits. You, my friends, are the agents for the change that you want to see and I am blessed to have you with me. More to come.

Thanks.

David Kahl

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Don Shultz

Hello Blues Lovers!

The Sunday night blues jam continues at The Blue Diamond! This fine venue is located at 2016 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland.

Festivities begin at 6 PM with a set by the host band, then the jam goes until 9 PM. I will be taking over with help from my friend the very talented Timmer Blakely who will be filling in for Allen Markel on bass while Allen is on tour with the Sugar Ray Rayford band. We also are very fortunate to have Dennis Lusk on keyboards!

September’s special guest line up will be:

9/3 a very special mystery guest to be announced, 9/10 Dover Weinberg (Robert Cray Band) and Mitch Kashmar, 9/17 Whit Draper and Mitch Kashmar, 9/24 Ken Brewer. Stay tuned for upcoming guests as I’ve got some new candidates to add to the mix. It’s been such a blast to get to play music with some of Portland’s finest blues musicians and I’m excited about what’s to come!

Please come on out and support live music at The Blue Diamond, they have a great staff, yummy food, and support our local music scene by having live music 7 nights a week!

Don Shultz

First Annual Peninsula Rhythm & Blues Festival

Past PDX Blues Event

Coming this September, a new event will be rising like a phoenix from the ashes of the tremendously popular Blues & Seafood Festival in Ilwaco. Renamed and moving up the Long Beach Peninsula to Ocean Park, Washington, the first Peninsula Rhythm & Blues Festival will host some of the finest blues musicians from the Northwest. Happening on Friday, September 15 and Saturday, September 16 the event will be held at Wilson Field, home of the Beach Baron’s Car Club, nestled between the Pacific Ocean and Willipa Bay.

Friday’s performances will begin with The Tim Kelly Band (6:00 pm), followed by The Hudson Rocket Band (7:30 pm) and closing the night with North Coast Blues with the Cadillac Horns (9:00 pm). Admission for Friday night is $15.00.

On Saturday, things kick off at noon with The Robin Gibson Band, Bottleneck Blues Band (2:00 pm), Tracey Fordice Band (4:00 PM), Blind Wolf (6:00 pm), with Franco Paletta & The Stingers for the festival finale (8:00 pm). Admission for Saturday is $18.00.

The Humane Society of Pacific County will be serving up adult beverages to benefit their wonderful animal shelter, and there will be food vendors, from BBQ to seafood.

Tickets for the Peninsula Rhythm & Blues Festival may be purchased in advance at Brownpapertickets.com.

All-Star BB King Tribute Show Slated For Vinyl Tap

Past PDX Blues Event

Sonny Hess brings her exciting All-Star B.B. King Tribute concert again this year on Saturday, September 16 at the Vinyl Tap. Truly a spectacular showcase of some of the region’s best blues artists will be on hand paying respect to the legend who was perhaps the most recognized artist of the genre, paving the way for every musician taking the blues and beyond.

This year’s line-up will include guitarists Sonny Hess, Jim Mesi and Ken deRouchie, vocalists Lady Kat and Rae Gordon, bass players Leah Hinchcliff and Jim Hively, and Kelly Pierce behind the drums.

The Vinyl Tap is located at 2099 SW Oak Grove Blvd. Please check with the venue or at Sonnyhess.com for further information regarding tickets and showtime.

The Randy Morrison Band — Veterans Who Rock the Local Blues Scene

Cascade Blues Note

The Randy Morrison Band is one of the best in the Portland area. They proved that by being one of four finalists in the 2017 Journey to Memphis competition. The band consists of Randy Morrison on guitar and vocals, Steve “Midnight” Anderson on guitar and vocals, Laura Petch on bass and vocals, and Dusty Hill on drums. Everybody in the band is self-taught for the most part, though all have taken lessons from time to time.

Music was a part of Randy’s upbringing—singing and playing violin from an early age. He picked up a guitar in the ninth grade and has been performing off and on, both in bands and solo, for over 35 years.

Steve and Laura are lifelong musicians and have been playing together for 36 years, although not continuously. At times, both have played in separate bands. They played with Dusty in a previous band called Midnight Blue here in Portland for three or four years.

Dusty has studied with the best and toured with various groups such as The Coasters and The Drifters. He was also the drummer for the popular Portland band The Sleazy Pieces. He has a solid background playing rock, country, top 40, and jazz.

But here’s the real story of the band:

Randy met Laura and Steve at a camping trip about three years ago. A few months later they decided they should do a band thing. After 6 months, and a few drummers, they got Dusty on board and haven’t looked back!

As a youngster growing up, Randy had a phase where he wanted to be a magician. Later, as his tastes refined, he either wanted to be a part time camp counselor or maybe a game show host. “Not landing either of those gigs, I settled on a hitch in the US Air Force, bought my tobacco sunburst SG, as soon as they would give me a loan, and started jamming with other guys on base. That’s when I first thought it would be cool to play music for a living,” explained Randy.

Laura started playing guitar when she was in fourth grade. Her grade school music teacher would accompany her on the standup bass. That’s when she got the taste of what it is like to play with other people. Her first big performance was at her grade school talent show in the fifth grade where she took second place (Lisa took first), playing and singing “Four Strong Winds.” She kept at the guitar and played her first paying gig in 1981 in John Day with Steve. Steve had an old Fender Precision bass and suggested Laura learn to play it. Three days later Laura played bass at their first duo gig in Mt. Vernon.

Steve has always wanted to be a professional musician from the time he first picked up a guitar when he was 12. He played his first paying gig at 13. He went on to live and play in Vegas before he hit the road for seven years playing in the Western states. Thereafter he settled in Oregon.

Day Jobs

When asked if they had day jobs, Randy commented that “Day jobs are a fact of life. It’s expensive to play music!”

Randy works as a Quality Manager in a precision machining and sheet metal manufacturing environment. “I measure cool stuff using a lot of various cool stuff.
I’ve been in precision manufacturing for 30 plus years,” he said.

Steve became legally blind a few years ago, so he is retired on disability.

Laura is Director of Human Resources at a large Portland law firm and has been working in the legal field for 25 years.

Dusty is a bus driver for the Beaverton School District.

Musical Influences

Randy–Steely Dan, Hall and Oates, Larry Carlton, Robben Ford, Billy Gibbons, Carlos Santana, lots of rock guys, and some singer-songwriters. “My favorite being Shawn Mullins. But the guy that made me want to play bluesy funky guitar stuff was Donald Kinsey from The Kinsey Report. That guy squeezed more tone and soul out of an old Peavey Classic and a beat up Epiphone Les Paul than I ever heard. No effects at all. Guitar, cord, amp. Vocally, I love killer ‘feel singers.’ Besides Daryl Hall and Curtis, one of my favs is Marc Broussard. Dude is amazing!”

Steve—All the Kings and all the Alberts, Little Feat, The Band, high powered soul like Tower of Power and Cold Blood. Of course the post-war blues giants like Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf.

Laura—Allman Brothers and Barry Oakley particularly. Also Katie Webster, Etta James, and Koko Taylor.

Randy describes their musical style as a combination of blues, R&B and soul, with a hint of a jazz vibe here and there just for good measure. “We are a very vocal band so there are lots of solid harmonies as well as some pretty catchy melodic and lyrical hooks. It’s bluesy, it’s funky, and it’s fun. And we have fun playing it!”

CD’s

The band is in the finishing stages of their first CD project. They hope to have it out early this fall.

Other Projects Band Members Have Been Involved In

After playing in a local rock band for a few years, Randy played with Rae Gordon in Rae and The Rebounders, back when she was just starting out. After that, he focused on solo acoustic stuff until the inception of the Randy Morrison Band.

Steve played with the Arnold Brothers, Coasters, Sheila Wilcoxon, Lee Blake, and Midnight Blue.

Laura also played with Midnight Blue, and with Paulette Davis, one of the original members of NW Women Rhythm and blues.

More Information

This band of veterans are a site to behold. Check out their schedule and get out and see them live. For more about The Randy Morrison Band and upcoming gigs, visit http://www.randymorrisonmusic.com.

Junkyard Jane, 20 Years & Still Runnin’

Past PDX Blues Event

Since 1997 Junkyard Jane has been one of the Northwest’s favorite bands with their mixture of Americana, blues, country, folk, funk, rock, and R&B — all in a conglomeration they call Swampabilly. Founding members Billy Stoops and Leanne Trevalyan have been constants with the band, who have included many of the region’s top players going through their ranks at one time or another. The band has been honored with numerous award nominations and wins over their tenure from both the Washington Blues Society and the Cascade Blues Association, and Junkyard Jane represented the latter at the International Blues Challenge in 2001 where they reached the finals.

In celebration of the band’s 20^th anniversary, they have put together a handful of shows featuring their original line-up with horn players Sue Orfield (sax), Randy Oxford (trombone) and Jim King (sax & harmonica), rhythm section Barbara Blue (bass) and Chris Leighton (drums) joining Stoops and Trevalyan.

Their anniversary tour will be heading down to Oregon on Sunday, September 17 with a stop at The Birk, 11139 Hwy 202 in Birkenfeld. Show time is 3:00 pm show. Get your tickets in advance at Ticketomato.com for $10.00, or pay at the door day of show for $15.00. Expect a lot of songs about whiskey, frogs and all around good times with Junkyard Jane. It’ll be a party for sure!

Jonn Del Toro Richardson & Clint Morgan Double Team Catfish Lou’s

Past PDX Blues Event

Jonn Del Toro Richardson is an exciting young blues artist from Houston Texas whose styles range from Texas blues to Latin funk. His first solo record, Tengo Blues, released in late 2015 remained in the top 10 blues charts for months and garnered rave reviews across the country. It also earned him a Blues Blast Award nomination and was the winner at the 2017 Blues Music Awards for Best New Artist Debut. Jonn played on the 2007 Grammy winning album The Last of the Mississippi Delta Blues Men with Pinetop Perkins, and toured with Otis Taylor. As a member of Diunna Greenleaf & Blue Mercy, the band won the 2005 International Blues Challenge and Jonn was named the Albert King Award winner for most promising guitarist. Jonn also has two previous CDs with other artists, the Blues Music Award nominated Time Slips on By with Rich Del Grosso in 2011, which was named one of the top 100 blues CDs by Downbeat Magazine, and in 2013 Jonn released Drivin’ Me Wild with Sean Carney.

Joining Jonn for this night will be singer, songwriter and piano player Clint Morgan, whose compositions are known to blend genres from blues, gospel, country and rock & roll. A true Americana musician, Morgan latest release, Scofflaw, has received high praise including in an earlier issue of the BluesNotes.

One the finest blues guitarists working today, Jonn Del Toro Richardson will be making his way back to Portland for a show at Catfish Lou’s on Thursday, September 14. Tickets for reserved seating may be purchased in advance for $10.00 through Tickettomato.com. Catfish Lou’s is located at 2460 NW 24^th Avenue. Show time is 8:00 pm.

New Music To Note – September 2017

New Music To Note

Here’s a list of new music received at the CBA office, purchased personally, or listened to this past month of note:

Altered Five Blues Band – Charmed & Dangerous (Blind Pig Records)
Amy Black – Memphis (Reuben Records)
Big Joe Shelton & The Black Prairie Blues Ambassadors – Ridin’ A Chicken (Self Produced)
Chris Antonik – Monarch (Self Produced)
Chuck Berry – Chuck (Dualtone)
Dave Fields – Unleashed (FMI Records)
Janiva Magness – Blue Again (Blue Elan Records)
Jeff Dale & Jeff Stone – The Southside Lives (Pro Sho Bidness)
Lisa Biales – The Beat Of My Heart (Big Song Music)
Michele D’Amour and The Love Dealers – Lost Nights At The Leopard Lounge (Warrior Poet Productions)
Mick Kolassa & Mark Telesca – You Can’t Do That! (Swing Suit Records)
Rae Gordon Band – Better Than I Was (Self Produced)
Rick Estrin & The Nightcats – Groovin’ In Greaseland (Alligator Records)
Rockin’ Johnny Burgin – Neoprene Fedora (West Tone Records)
Samantha Fish – Chills & Fever (Ruf Records)
Tas Cru – Simmered & Stewed (VizzTone)
The Claudettes – Pull Closer To Me: Live In The Piano Lounge (Yellow Dog Records)
The Norman Jackson Band – It’s The Drummer’s Fault! (Self Produced)

Fourth Annual Gorge Acoustic Blues Camp and Acoustic Blues Masters Concert

Past PDX Blues Event

Guitar camp for adults! This is the fourth annual Gorge Acoustic Blues Camp presented and hosted by the Menucha Retreat & Conference Center. Immerse yourself in acoustic blues guitar for a long weekend with some of the world’s foremost and finest blues and fingerstyle guitarists. Participants can choose twelve classes with up to six from any one instructor/style you wish to concentrate on. There is at least one beginning level class each day. But make sure to register quickly, because space is limited to only 46 participants in order to provide each participant with plenty of instructor time and attention.

Artistic Director and instructor MARY FLOWER is renowned for her personal vision of roots music that blends ragtime, acoustic blues, and folk. She is technically dazzling yet grounded in the simplicity of early 20th century American music; her instrumental skill with the Piedmont blues guitar is at a level of mastery that takes most players a lifetime to hone. For this year’s event she’s joined by these outstanding musicians:

GUY DAVIS is renowned for his songwriting, storytelling and performing at which he has excelled at for over twenty years. Influenced by the likes of Blind Willie McTell, Big Bill Broonzy, Lightning Hopkins, and Sonny Terry, he has spent his musical life carrying his message of the blues around the world, earning him the title “An Ambassador of the Blues”. As an instructor he wants to bring to both beginners and intermediate students the basics so that they can go into a jam session, and create more licks out of the ones they know, along with his philosophy that you can treat these songs as recombinant DNA, you can own it and you can create something new with it.

ORVILLE JOHNSON can sing the blues, pick the guitar and dobro and just about anything with strings on it, write you a song and tell you a story and then teach you how to do it, too. He’s been doing it all his life since he grew up next to the Mississippi river and now, years later, after traveling the world and spreading the joy of music far and wide, he’s still at it. He’s a singer, player, songwriter, author, and record producer. He loves every aspect of music and wants to let you know about it.

VALERIE TURNER is a native New Yorker with southern roots in Virginia and Georgia who plays finger style Country Blues guitar, specializing in the Piedmont style of fingerpicking. Her eclectic repertoire was heavily influenced by the late John Cephas, a world renowned Country Blues musician in the Piedmont style, and her guitar playing is reminiscent of traditional blues greats like Mississippi John Hurt, Etta Baker, and Elizabeth Cotten.

The Acoustic Blues Guitar Camp is co-sponsored by the Cascade Blues Association and will be held from September 30 through October 4. Menucha retreat & Conference Center is located at 38711 Historic Columbia River Highway, in Corbett, OR. For more information about the Acoustic Guitar Camp, please visit the website Menucha.org.

On Sunday, October 1, a special staff concert will be held at 7:00 pm at the Corbett Grange Hall, 37493 NE Grange Hall Road, in Corbett. This Acoustic Blues Masters Concert is free for the Blues In The Gorge participants and open to the public with tickets available in advance through the Menucha website for $15.00 or $20.00 at the door.