Cory Henry & The Funk Apostles At Star Theater

On his latest debut album with The Funk Apostles, ‘Art of Love,’ organ virtuoso Cory Henry demonstrates that he’s more than up for the challenge, moving from sideman to frontman with seemingly effortless grace and cool. Best known for his role in Snarky Puppy, the instrumental jazz-pop orchestra hailed by Rolling Stone as “one of the more versatile groups on the planet right now,” with whom he won a pair of Grammy Awards, he has been called “one of the finest Hammond B-3 organ players of his generation,” Henry also proves himself to be a remarkable singer and songwriter, one of extraordinary depth and vision. He and the band whip up an intoxicating blend of blues, soul, R&B, Afrobeat, gospel, and jazz on the record, blurring genres and upending expectations at every turn. Simultaneously futuristic and retro, experimental and classic, it’s the sound of one of modern music’s most inventive minds coming fully into his own as a bandleader and storyteller.

Cory Henry & The Funk Apostles will be playing at The Star Theater, 13 NW 6th Avenue, on Friday, September 21. Tickets are available at Ticketweb.com and range from $25.00 to a $79.00 VIP package (includes a meet & greet, masterclass, premier early entry, photo opportunity, laminate and limited edition ‘Just A Word’ journal, signed by Cory Henry). Show time is 9:00 pm. 21 & over.

Menucha Retreat’s Blues In The Gorge Camp & Acoustic Blues Masters Concert

The fifth annual Blues in the Gorge Acoustic Guitar Blues Camp takes place this year from Friday, September 28 through Tuesday, October 2, presented by Menucha Retreat and Conference Center in Corbett, Oregon. The class sizes are limited to ensure ample time for the instructors to provide for the registered participants. The camp is sold out this year, but you can get your name on the waiting list at their website, Menucha.org.

Each year the workshop also includes an Acoustic Blues Master Concert that features the instructors from the camp. This year’s instructors include blues legend Duke Robillard, Grammy nominee Pat Donahue, guitar playing historian Michael Jerome Brown, and camp host, world renowned fingerpicking/slide guitarist Mary Flower.

The concert is open to the public and will take place on Sunday, September 30 at 7:30 pm at the Columbia Grange Hall267, 37493 Grange Hall Road, in Corbett. Tickets can be purchased at Menucha.org for $20.00, or can be bought at the door day of show for $25.00. Blues in the Gorge is a Cascade Blues Association co-sponsored event and members can receive $2.00 off per ticket to the concert. Blues workshop camp participants concert tickets are included with their registration.

Michelle Malone, Georgia-Based Roots Artist

Compared to most musical artists in the Americana genre, Michelle Malone seems like a pair of distressed blue jeans amidst a sea of pantsuits. Unlike the surplus of self-professed rootsy rebels, one listen to this woman from Dixie and you know you’re hearing the real thing. A singer, songwriter, and guitarist whose music is informed by blues, country, and roadhouse rock & roll, Michelle Malone’s performances can go from contemplative and coffeehouse quiet to rowdy and “Twin Reverb on 10” loud at the turn of a dime, and her passionate, uncompromising style has won her a loyal following, especially in the American South. She’s a wild-haired Rock Goddess, political singer/songwriter, passionate performer with roots in church music – no single characterization tells the whole story. When it came time to craft her own sound, she took those religious and secular roots, blended in enough folk, rock and blues to satisfy, and came up with a rootsy high-spirited sound that brings acoustic and electric slide and passionate vocals together harkening back to the lost recordings of Bonnie Raitt, Susan Tedeschi and Lucinda Williams fronting The Rolling Stones.

On tour in support of her latest release, Slings & Arrows, Michelle Malone will be hitting the stage at The Secret Society, 116 N Russell Street, at 7:30 pm on Sunday, September 9. Admission is $15.00 in advance through Ticketfly.com or $20.00 at the door. 21 & over only.

Andy Stokes Big Portland Birthday Bash

Andy Stokes

Andy StokesAndy Stokes returns to Portland and to the Alberta Rose Theatre to celebrate his birthday and his recent chart success with the hit single “Best Day Ever.” Andy has been sharing his soulful voice and undeniable musical mastery with the Northwest music culture for more than three decades. Inductee to Oregon’s Music Hall of Fame, multiple regional music awards. The Northwest’s King of Soul Music continues performing to sold-out crowds at iconic venues throughout the Northwest and beyond. And as all Kings are known to be rich, Andy is indeed beyond rich in experience.

Andy Stokes’ birthday celebration will take place on Saturday, September 8 at 8:00 pm. Tickets are $25.00 advance through Ticketbiscuit.com, admission at the door is $30.00. Minors are okay if accompanied by a parent of guardian. The Alberta Rose Theatre is located at 3000 NE Alberta Street.,

 

 

 

Sunbanks Festival, Fall Line-up & Dates

Award-Winning Sunbanks Festival 2018

The Sunbanks Festival is a four-day, semi-annual music festival located against the backdrop of Banks Lake near Grand Coulee Dam at the beautiful Sunbanks Lake Resort in Electric City, Washington. The prestigious event is a seven-time Washington Blues Society B.B. Award recipient for “Best Music Festival” in the state! Founded in 1995, local, regional, national, and international artists alike have performed on this diverse stage that features rhythm & blues, rockabilly, funk, roots rock, Americana, singer songwriters, and more.

Held twice a year, the 2018 falltime version of the festival will take place on Thursday, September 6 through Sunday, September 9. It all begins on Thursday evening with Acoustic Music in the Cantina – an intimate rock garden amphitheater located behind the grand log cabin lodge featuring Mark Hurwitz, Rob Tudor & the Holy Grail and the Little Bill Trio. Then the main party continues Friday through Sunday on the main stage with featured acts performing in an awesome setting surrounded by the stunning scenery of the lake framed by the rolling foothills.

Performing at the festival will be Too Slim & The Taildraggers, Rick Estrin & The Nightcats, Harlis Sweetwater, Commander Cody, Levee Town, Junkyard Jane, Sister Mercy, Fabulous Roofshakers, John Bunzow, Felix Y Los Gatos, Michelle Malone, Dead Man, Shoot Jake, and The Barnyard Stompers.

For more information, including tickets, lodging, camping and more, visit the festival website at sunbanksfestival.com.

Seattle’s Andy Coe Band Jerry Garcia Tribute Featuring Papa Mali

Originally formed to pay tribute to Jerry Garcia, The Andy Coe Band has emerged as the liveliest psychedelic band to come out of the Pacific Northwest in years! On Sunday, September 2 they’ll be going back to their roots with a full, two set Jerry Tribute at The Goodfoot Lounge. With a background in jazz and a joyful enthusiasm for blues and psychedelic rock, Andy Coe is recognized as a deeply intuitive, emotive guitarist. As an architect of sound and style, Coe draws in listeners, making collective exploration and resolution accessible across genres.

To make the night even more special, New Orleans-based singer-songwriter Papa Mali will be joining the band for the show. Known for his own live performances and recorded output, most notably his two albums for Fog City Records (2000’s Thunder Chicken and 2007’s Do Your Thing), Papa Mali’s music has been described as bayou soul and voodoo space blues. He can often be found performing with the group 7 Walkers that includes George Porter Jr from The Meters, Grateful Dead founding member and drummer Bill Kreutzmann and lyricist Robert Hunter.

Admission for this show is $10.00. Goodfoot Lounge is located at 2845 SE Stark Street. Show time is 9:00 pm.

David Bromberg Brings The Blues, The Whole Blues & Nothing But The Blues to The Aladdin.

David Bromberg

David BrombergFor Americana godfather David Bromberg, it all began with the blues. His incredible journey spans five-and-a-half decades, and includes – but is not limited to – adventures with Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Jerry Garcia, and music and life lessons from seminal blues guitarist Reverend Gary Davis, who claimed the young Bromberg as a son. A musician’s musician, Bromberg’s mastery of several stringed instruments (guitar, fiddle, Dobro, mandolin), and multiple styles is legendary, leading Dr. John to declare him an American icon.

Touring in support of his most recent recording, The Blues, The Whole Blues, And Nothing But The Blues, David Bromberg returns to the Aladdin Theater, 3017 SE Milwaukie Ave. on Sunday, September 30 for an 8:00 pm show. Open to all ages, tickets are $35.00 and can be purchased in advance at Ticketfly.com.

Rick Estrin & The Nightcats Bring Their California Cool Blues To The Albert Rose

Rick Estrin & The Nightcats

With his wily and unforgettable original songs and his hipster, street-smart vocals, no one on the blues scene writes or sings like Rick Estrin. No one looks like him either, as Estrin is always dressed to the nines, sporting his trademark pencil-line mustache and pompadour haircut. DownBeat explains that, “Estrin sings and writes songs like the brightest wiseguy in all of bluesland and blows harmonica as if he learned at the knee of Little Walter.” Alongside Estrin is guitar wunderkind Chris “Kid” Andersen, keyboard wizard Lorenzo Farrell, and dynamic drummer Alex Pettersen serving up sharp and clever original blues and gritty roadhouse rock ‘n’ roll. Live, the band is simply unbeatable. They deliver a high-energy show capable of bringing any audience to its feet.

Rick Estrin & The Nightcats with special guest Lloyd Jones will be appearing at the Alberta Rose Theatre, 3000 NE Alberta Street, on Friday, September 7, at 8:00 pm. Minors OK when accompanied by a parent or guardian and tickets can be purchased at Ticketbiscuit.com in advance for $24.00, $29.00 at the door day of show.

The Lake hosts West Coast Toast with Mitch Kashmar, Junior Watson & Jimi Bott

Mitch Kashmar and Jr. Watson

Mitch Kashmar and Jr. WatsonThe Lake Theater & Cafe is honored to welcome for the first time “West Coast Toast” featuring Mitch Kashmar, Junior Watson, and Jimi Bott on Monday, September 3. All three are widely recognized as some of the best musicians in the blues business and as masters of the jazzy, West Coast Blues sound.

Mitch Kashmar has multiple BMA nominations and is a Hall of Fame Muddy Award winner for best harmonica player. He toured internationally with WAR for six years and has shared the stage with some of the most influential blues musicians including John Lee Hooker, Big Joe Turner, Willie Dixon, Junior Watson, Charlie Musselwhite, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Eddie Cleanhead Vinson, Kim Wilson, Pinetop Perkins, and many others.

With nearly thirty years of experience, Junior Watson has reached cult status and has done what all great artists do — meld diverse musical styles to create a unique approach to the blues. His artist resume is large and impressive. A founding member of The Mighty Flyers, he stayed with the band for ten years. and then left to join Canned Heat for ten years. He then toured for a while with LA-based harmonica player/vocalist Lynwood Slim. All along the way he has backed up and recorded with the who’s who of the blues, including illustrious artists such as Big Mama Thornton, George Smith, Jimmy Rogers, Shakey Jake, Luther Tucker, Charlie Musselwhite, Kim Wilson, William Clark, and more.

The 2015 Blues Music Award for drummer of the year went to Portland’s own, Jimi Bott, an award for which he’s been nominated a record 19 times. Jimi has received so many CBA Best Drummer Muddy Awards that the award is named for him, and he is also a member of the Oregon Music Hall of Fame. With over 100 CDs in his discography and a member of some of the greatest traditional blues bands, including Rod Piazza & The Mighty Flyers, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, and The Mannish Boys, there is no one better or more qualified in the world to bring the old school blues drumming to this show.

Show time is 7:00 pm, and as this performance will likely be a sell out, you’re encouraged to purchase tickets in advance at Laketheatercafe.com $20.00 general admission / $100.00 VIP tables closest to stage, seating four. The Lake Theater & Café is located at 106 N State Street in Lake Oswego.

Soulful Vocalist Leon Bridges Booked for Edgefield

In 2015, Leon Bridges’ first album, Coming Home, surprised the music industry by debuting at #5 on the Billboard Top 200. Only months prior, he had been playing sparsely attended open mics in Dallas-Fort Worth after work washing dishes at a local restaurant. In a span of three years, Leon has performed at the White House for President Obama, on the stage of Saturday Night Live and the album earned two Grammy Awards nominations. With his second release, Good Thing, Leon Bridges is now regularly selling out 10,000-person capacity rooms in cities around the world.

Leon Bridges will be performing at Mcmenamins Edgefield for a sold out all ages show on Saturday, September 15 at 6:30 pm. You may still purchase tickets through various online ticket brokers, but be wary of counterfeit ticket swindles and expect high prices. Edgefield is located at 2126 SW Halsey Street in Troutdale.