The Blue Diamond Hosts Fenix Project’s International Blues Challenge Fundraiser

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Fenix Project

Fenix ProjectThe Fenix Project will represent The Cascade Blues Association at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis this month. A dynamic, soulful rhythm and blues band led by saxophonist/vocalist Fenix Sanders, the band has held court in Portland’s most venerable juke joint, the Blue Diamond, weekly for nearly twenty years. Fenix, with his gravelly vocals and stirring sax, reveals the depth of emotion and experience of an authentic blues man. He is backed by a smooth and well-oiled rhythm section: Jason Thomas on guitar, Jeffery Frankel on drums, Calen Uhlig on bass, and Danny Barnett on keyboards.

Traveling to Memphis is an expensive journey — especially for a large band like The Fenix Project. To help ease some of the expenses, on Saturday, January 19 there will be a last minute fundraising effort held at The Blue Diamond. Hosted by past IBC third-place winner Rae Gordon (who will also sit in with the band), the night will also include raffles to help raise funds, so come out and help support their trip to Memphis and cheer them on to the international event.

The Blue Diamond is located at 2016 NE Sandy Blvd. The fun begins at 6:00 pm and tickets are $10.00 at the door.

 

Delta Bluesman Johnny Boy Kunk Slated for Mock Crest Tavern

Johnny Boy Kunk

Johnny Boy Kunk

Boise-based bluesman Johnny Boy Kunk was influenced by the blues at an early age. Listening to the music of traditional artists like Charley Patton and Lightnin’ Hopkins struck home for him and he has sought to learn as much of the styles of the Delta and Hill Country as possible, making pilgrimages to Mississippi to learn first-hand from modern musicians keeping the music alive.

Johnny Boy Kunk describes himself as follows: “This ain’t your Hawaiian shirt, fedora wearing, viagra commercial jazz/blues garbage; its BLUES. I play foot stomping, rocking chair creaking, sip your glass of whiskey, catfish frying, Delta slidin’ blues. From the early plantation records to your ears. I play covers from the Delta blues legends and a mix of original blues lyrics, often on the fly from my audience. (And) I ain’t your sit in a corner muffled music man; I interact with my audience in a traditional story telling bluesman way.”

Kunk will perform at Mock Crest Tavern, 3435 N Lombard Street on Saturday, January 12 at 9:00 pm. This is a free show is also for 21 & over only.

 

 

Sister Rosetta Tharpe Tribute Heads To Eugene on Saturday, January 12

Sister Rosetta Tharpe Tribute
Sister Rosetta Tharpe Tribute

photo by Charles Peterson

During a time when the idea of a guitar-playing woman was nonexistent, not only did guitarist and vocalist Rosetta Tharpe erase this line by mastering the symbol of musical masculinity, but her blend of gospel and secular music was seen as earth-shattering. Her willingness to play “God’s music” in the devil’s den of nightclubs and music halls caused an uproar. The all-star line up for this Sister Rosetta Tharpe Tribute are stellar musicians in their own right: Sonny Hess, Lady Kat True Blue, Lisa Mann, Joanne Broh, Kathryn Grimm, Leah Hinchcliff, and Ward Griffiths.

Mac’s Nightclub & Restaurant, 1626 Willamette Street, Eugene. 8:00 pm. $15.00 at door. 21 & over.

Music Millennium Hosts Robert Richter CD Release Performance

Robert Richter

Saturday, January 12, Portland musician Robert Richter mark the official release of his long awaited CD “Thick and Thin” with a special solo acoustic performance. Known for his versatility as a singer, songwriter, guitarist, record producer, concert promoter and booker, he’s also the founder of Local Roots Music NW supporting and promoting local artists with his weekly radio and television shows, Alberta Street Pub Concert Series, and many seminars for musicians.

Richter has performed and recorded everything from rock to blues to folk and AmeriCeltic with his ongoing Castletown project. Thick and Thin is Richter’s 4th CD of all original music and he pulls out all the stops with blues, folk and rock-a-billy influences.

Topics ranging from old train stations, long term romance, fast and furious blues slide guitar and an instrumental called “River Song” that has been used as a part of a film soundtrack. The CD wraps up with a La Bamba meets Tequila song called “Going Down to Mexico” where Richter plays multiple guitars. In concert Richter is a storyteller and sets up each song to connect with his audiences and engage them in the moment.

Music Millennium is located at 3158 E Burnside. Show begins at 5:00 pm and is free.

Sensational Bay Area Vocalist Marina Crouse Plays Catfish Lou’s

On Saturday, January 12 Marina Crouse, a notable rising musician on the San Francisco/Bay Area music scene, will bring her talents to Catfish Lou’s. Her early classical training is reflected in her powerful and versatile vocal style that creates a genuine excitement in every performance. Blessed with an incredibly expressive voice early in life, Marina Crouse applies her distinctive talents to a wide range of material while delivering an emotional authenticity that consistently cuts deep. “When I sing,” she says, “I feel like I break myself open and let a little piece of myself come out. I’m reaching out to people with hopes to connect on a personal level. And when we do, that to me is better than anything else.”

” A new voice as strong as the best blues singers of the past as she sings with the intensity of a Koko Taylor, heartbreak of Etta James, raw emotion of Big Maybelle… Marina Crouse has all it takes to be the next top lady of the Blues.” – Noel Hayes, KPOO 89.5 FM

Catfish Lou’s is located at 2460 NW 24th. Crouse takes the stage at 8:00 pm, and tickets are  $5.00 at the door. 21 & over please.

New Orleans Songwriter Andrew Duhon at Mississippi Studios

Andrew Duhon

Andrew Duhon

New Orleans Songwriter Andrew Duhon

Saturday, January 12

“Another world-class voice is heard from Louisiana, another soulful, mesmerizing singer who writes emotional songs with impact and heart. Andrew Duhon is a troubadour for the next generation, a story-teller for his generation. Measured in the blues with the gift of narrative, Andrew¹s songs will not only make you think, they will make you sing along, days later. This a young artist to watch, and to hear, as soon as you can find a way.” — John Snyder, ArtistHouseMusic.com

Mississippi Studios, 3939 N Mississippi Ave. 9:00 pm. $12.00 advance at Ticketfly.com. $15.00 door. 21 & over.

Heavy Rockin’ Blues Sound with Howlin’ Rain Coming to Doug Fir

Howlin’ Rain

Howlin’ Rain

Saturday, January 12, San Francisco’s blues rock outfit Howlin’ Rain will visit The Doug Fir Lounge in support of its latest release, Alligator Bride. This new album is characterized by stimulating contradictions and melodies with a folky, meandering Grateful Dead vibe that sends the band sailing off into a comfortable, blues-drenched ether. Instrumentally and rhythmically, the approach is over-the-top. A blaring attack, driven by Dan Cervantes’ distortion-heavy lead lines, the thundering backbeat of Justin Smith’s drumming, and the relentless cadence produced by Jeff McElroy’s bass and Ethan Miller’s rigorous, rhythm guitar make up an irresistible, psychedelic wall of glorious noise.

Doug Fir Lounge, 830 E Burnside Street. 9:00 pm. Advance tickets $12.00 at Ticketfly.com, $15.00 at door. 21 & over.

Sunday, January 14, Volcanic Theater Pub, 70 SW Century Drive, Bend. 8:00 pm. $12.00 at Bendtickets.com. All ages.

Tom Gilberts Schedules Official Release Party For New Album Grit

Tom Gilberts - Grit

Tom Gilberts - GritOn Sunday, January 6, Guitarist Tom Gilberts will celebrate with an official Portland release party for his terrific recording Grit. Mostly an instrumental album, it features all original music showcasing Gilberts diversity at an array of guitar stylings. Joining him for this show will be Wade Kirtley on B3, Joe Aloia on bass, Steel Toe Joe on harmonica, with a drummer TBA.

Catfish Lou’s, 2460 NW 24th Avenue. 6:00 pm. Free.

Artichoke Café to Host American Guitar Masters Larry Pattis & Eric Skye

Larry Pattis & Eric Skye

On Saturday, January 5 The American Guitar Masters Touring Concert Series will visit Portland. This series offers group concerts featuring compositions and arrangements of Celtic tunes, American Roots, Jazz, Delta blues, instrumental gems, and folk-songs that reveal a devotion to great acoustic music.

Eric Skye – photo by Guy Brooksbank

Often billed as an acoustic jazz guitarist, Eric Skye neatly occupies a unique space amount Americana, jazz, and blues musical traditions. His is an original style, threaded together with a healthy respect for the groove, and a love of unadulterated acoustic tone. Eric Skye has performed live on morning television for NBC and FOX, on National Public Radio, Public Radio International, and performed on many live radio broadcasts all over the United States.

Larry Pattis & Eric Skye

Larry Pattis

Named one of the “Top 10 Best Acoustic Music Artists of the Decade” by the International Acoustic Music Awards, Larry Pattis has been a featured headline performer at such illustrious venues as the Montreal International Jazz Festival, the Freight & Salvage, Club Passim, Godfrey Daniels, the Turning Point, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington DC, and many more.

Artichoke Café is located at 2001/2007 SE Powell Blvd. The concert begins at 8:00 pm and tickets are available for $15.00 at Brownpapertickets.com

The guitarists will also appear in Eugene on Friday, January 4 at Tsunami Books, 2585 Willamette Street. 7:30 pm. Tickets in advance at venue for $15.00, $18.00 door.

NW Blues Legends Too Slim & The Taildraggers Headed to Alberta Rose

Too Slim - Too Slim & The Taildraggers Return To Billy Blues

Too Slim - Too Slim and the TaildraggersTim “Too Slim“ Langford is a monster guitarist and unabashed blues rocker whose influences run the gamut from Lightnin’ Hopkins, Freddy King, Duane Allman, and Lynyrd Skynyrd to Robin Trower. Langford is a prolific singer/songwriter whose songs have now yielded an impressive thirteen studio albums for Too Slim and the Taildraggers, two solo albums and several live CD’s all on his own Underworld Records imprint, including his latest High Desert Heat. Langford is one of the most heralded performers from the Pacific Northwest, a Hall of Fame member in three blues societies in Oregon and Washington, and after spending time in Nashville he has returned to his roots and currently lives in Idaho. Too Slim and the Taildraggers are Tim “Too Slim” Langford on guitar/vocals, Zach Kasik on bass/vocals and Jeff “Shakey” Fowlkes on drums/vocals.

Alberta Rose Theater 3000 NE Alberta Street, Friday, December 28 at 8:00 pm. Tickets are $20.00 advance at Ticketbiscuit.com or $24.00 at the door. Minors okay when accompanied by a parent or guardian.