2023 Journey to Memphis Finalists!
The Cascade Blues Association is pleased to announce that the following FOUR acts will compete at the Journey to Memphis Finals at the Waterfront Blues Festival on the Front Porch Stage on Tuesday, July 4th, from 11:30 am – 1:55 pm.
Duos
Timothy James + Alec Donn
Timothy James is what many would call a phenomenon. At the age of 20 he has already achieved accomplishments that many musicians never will in their career. With 2 albums under his belt, a third on the way, and an endorsement from Brazil’s largest guitar manufacturer, he is on his way to the top. He has been to the International Blues Challenge two times as a youth representative for the Cascade Blues Association, and one time (as T.J. Wong in the T.J. Wong Trio) as a competing act in 2023.
Alec Donn is a drummer from Portland, Oregon. Alec is currently studying jazz at Portland State University under direction of George Colligan, Sherry Alves, and Darrell Grant. Alec was granted the title of state champion in rudimental snare drum during his high school years, and began recording/playing around town with various artists. Alec began playing with Timothy James in the spring of 2022 and together they have performed on all kinds of stages from small bars to the Waterfront Blues Festival.
Taylor and the Riders!
Taylor and the Riders! Is the duo band of two Rough Rider teachers from Portland’s Roosevelt High School who both share a passion for guitar playing. Taylor Newville is a Portland native and got to enjoy the local music scene as a young child and into her adulthood. She’ll be accompanied by George Bishop on rhythm guitar.
She began her musical career at age six playing ukulele and through the years learned to play the acoustic and electric guitar. Taylor has been a student of Ethos, School of Rock, Rock N Roll Camp For Girls and Roosevelt’s High school Jazz band. She has played at several venues around the city including Berbati’s Pan, Satyricon, Memorial Coliseum, Hawthorne Theater and The Crystal Ballroom.
Norman Sylvester (The Boogie Cat) the Northwest icon of blues has been one of Taylor’s idols and she has been fortunate to have the opportunity to take lessons from and play with him and The Norman Sylvester band at the Cathedral Jazz festival. Taylor is a blues fan and as of late has been jamming with the best around Portland. Her fellow teacher George Bishop is a High school history teacher for Roosevelt High school and when he has some spare time, loves playing the guitar. (George has been playing the guitar for 20+ years but who’s counting!)
Bands
Kivett Bednar Band
Originally from Austin, Kivett Bednar grew up steeped in the southern tradition of the blues. He arrived in Portland 10 years ago and has been playing guitar up and down the west coast from Los Angeles to British Columbia. A graduate of the Berklee College of Music, Kivett designs and builds his own audio circuits in addition to being lead technician at Benson Amps. Kivett has a powerful voice that can inspire you, or bring you to tears.
Joining him on bass is Calen Uhlig, a Portland native and fan favorite who has backed up everyone in town from Tevis Hodge Jr. to Ben Rice. On drums is one of Portland’s finest in-demand players Edwin Coleman III. A generational musician who has inherited a legacy, Edwin combines Second-line and Zydeco with deeply rooted blues grooves to create something that is simultaneously unique and yet familiar at the same time. Edwin has toured with some of the best Soul and Blues musicians in the world, including LaRhonda Steele and Lloyd Jones.
Kivett’s voice and solos, Calen’s melodic bass lines, and the foundation of Edwin’s groove for this band will take you on an emotional journey.
Billy D and the Hoodoos
Billy D & the Hoodoos is fronted by Blues Rock singer, guitarist & songwriter extraordinaire Billy Desmond. His life experience has given him the strength to write his brand of “Bluzy Rock” with a passion that only comes from living it. Heavily influenced by Chicago blues, Rock & Roll, and “Backbeat Roots” music of all types, his songs reflect the tough lessons of his past and show his love for Mother Blues and her first-born, Rock & Roll.
Born on the south side of Chicago, Billy Desmond grew up surrounded by the Blues and early Rock & Roll— a powerful combination. He started playing professionally at the age of fourteen, primarily for teen dances and parties; and by eighteen, he was sneaking into the blues clubs of Chicago to hear such greats as Muddy Waters, Junior Wells, Buddy Guy, and James Cotton. Within a few years, Billy would be working with blues legends Junior Wells, Big Time Sarah, and Detroit Junior.
The Hoodoos is made up of seasoned and talented Portland/Vancouver based rhythm section John Cavanaugh on bass and Scott Van Dusen on drums.
