What do Bob Dylan, Tom Waits, Jay McShann, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, John Hammond, the late Jimmy Witherspoon, Dr. John, Maria Muldaur, Roomful of Blues, and the Canadian band The Rockin’ Highliners all have in common? Answer: Duke Robillard — guitarist, bandleader, songwriter, singer, producer, session musician, and a one-man cheering section for the blues, in all its forms and permutations. And every one of these musicians has shared recording studio space or stage time with this legend in the blues community.

With nineteen Blues Music Award nominations and six wins, four for best guitarist, plus Grammy nominations, Duke Robillard is one of the most creative and honored blues guitarists of our time. BB King himself ranked Duke as “One of the great players,” and The Houston Post rated him as “one of God’s guitarists.” The New York Times simply praised Robillard as “a soloist of stunning force and originality.”

Celebrating his 50 year career, Duke Robillard is currently touring cross country and will be taking the stage in Portland at The Aladdin Theater on Sunday, July 9. Tickets for this all ages event are $25.00 and can be purchased in advance at TicketFly.com. Show time is 8:00 pm. The Aladdin Theater is located at 3017 SE Milwaukie Avenue.

ZZ Ward

ZZ Ward didn’t have to look far for inspiration on her second full-length album, 2017’s The Storm. Equally evocative of blues grit and hip-hop bounce, the Los Angeles-based vocal powerhouse and multi-instrumentalist leapt forward by taking a deeper look at some of her earliest inspirations—including Howlin’ Wolf, Robert Johnson, Vera Ward Hall, and Big Mama Thornton.

“For me, this album wasn’t really about experimenting,” she admits. “It was more about simplicity, honing in on what I love about music and what makes me who I am as an artist. Growing up, I listened to a lot of hip-hop and blues, and I love those two genres so much. Sometimes, to evolve you don’t need to go outside of yourself; you can reach further inside of yourself instead.”

It’s a realization earned over a whirlwind five years. The Fedora-rocking, guitar-shredding, harmonica-wielding blues siren peppered an old back-porch musical recipe with hip-hop urgency. The young artist has been featured in Rolling Stone, Guitar World, and Elle magazines, appeared on NPR, Jimmy Kimmel, Conan, The Tonight Show, and Good Morning America, and has taken the world by storm as she toured with major acts like Eric Clapton and Gary Clark Jr.

ZZ Ward, returns to Portland for a performance at Revolution Hall, 1300 SE Stark Street, on Thursday, July 13. This is an all ages show starting at 8:00. General admission tickets are $25.00 both in advance through TicketFly.com and at the door day of show.

The 16th Annual Northwest String Summit will take place Thursday, July 13 through Sunday, July 16, 2017 at the beautiful Horning’s Hideout, North Plains, OR. This year’s line-up features a multitude of regional and national artists including acts such as JJ Grey & Mofro, The California Honeydrops, Todd Snider, The Del McCoury Band, Shook Twins, Blitzen Trapper, Turuaz, Fruition, The Yonder Mountain String Band, and many, many more.

This is an all ages event, with children under 10 free with a paid adult admission. Passes start at $75.00 (for Sunday admission only) and go up to $235.00 (for all four days). Additional fees for parking and camping. This is a rain or shine event. Horning’s Hideout is only 35 minutes from downtown Portland and easy to find. Just take Hwy 26 heading west and turn off at the North Plains / Glencoe Road Exit 57 and follow the signs.

Go to www.StringSummit.com for more information including a complete line-up and times of all performers.

Mato Nanji’s always provided the heartbeat of the band Indigenous with his warm dusty voice and soaring, spirited guitar fireworks that have earned the group a place among roots rock’s elite. The band, from South Dakota’s Nakota Nation, will soon release its ninth recording featuring its current line-up of American Horse, Bronson Begay, and Doug Platero alongside Nanji. Their sound can be a tapestry of sounds from blues, rock, soul, R&B, and even country. Nanji’s guitar work was heavily influenced by Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and BB King, and he has evolved over time to become considered one of the modern masters of blues-rock playing. He recently toured as part of the 2017 Experience Hendrix concert tour with fellow guitar aces Buddy Guy, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, and Jonny Lang among several others.

Mato Nanji and Indigenous will be returning to Portland following a memorable electric set at last year’s Waterfront Blues Festival on Saturday, July 15 at The Alberta Rose Theatre, 3000 NE Alberta Street. Tickets are $22.00 in dvance at TicketBiscuit.com or $28.00 at the door day of show. Show time begins at 8:00 pm and minors are welcome when accompanied by a parent or guardian.

The Cathedral Park Jazz Festival returns for its 37th year under the St Johns Bridge in North Portland. Hosted by The Jazz Society of Oregon, this three day event will feature a line-up of jazz, blues, R&B, and soul performances beginning on Friday, July 14 at 5:00 pm. And as always, it is a free event, completely run by volunteers and is it is the longest-running community event in the Greater Portland area.

Friday night is always blues night at the festival, but make plans to attend the full weekend for fun in the sun while listening to some of the best musicians in Portland.

This year’s line-up is:

FRIDAY, JULY 14, 2017
5:00 pm – 5:30 pm United By Music
6:00 pm – 6:45 pm Julie Amici
7:15 pm – 8:15 pm Rose City Kings
8:45 pm – 10:00 pm Andy Stokes

SATURDAY, JULY 15, 2017
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Youth Band
2:30 pm – 3:30 pm Bylines
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm Midnight Serenaders
5:30 pm – 6:30 pm Shirley Nanette
7:00 pm – 8:00 pm Manuel Valera
8:30 pm – 10:00 pm Ural Thomas & the Pain

SUNDAY, JULY 16, 2017
1:00 pm – 2 pm Youth Band
2:30 pm – 3:30 pm Clay Giberson
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm Ezra Weiss Big Band)
5:30 pm – 6:30 pm Joe Powers & Friends
7:00 pm – 8:15 pm Michael Whitmore/Pleasure

Smithsonian Folkways Recordings presents its official release concert for the new “Roll Columbia” album, the first collection including all twenty-six songs written by Woody Guthrie while working for the Bonneville Power Administration in Portland in 1941. This landmark album features musicians from across the Pacific Northwest, including International Blues Challenge winners Ben Hunter & Joe Seamons, along with Orville Johnson, Bill Murlin, Annalisa Tornfelt & The Tornfelt Sisters, Timberbound, Carl Allen, and Jon Neufeld. To make the celebration even more special, it takes place on Woody Guthrie’s birthday.

This exciting night of cool stories and hot music takes place at The Alberta Rose Theatre, 3000 NE Alberta Street, on Friday, July 14 at 8:00 pm. This event is open to all ages, with minors okay when accompanied by a parent or guardian. Tickets are $18.00 and may be purchased in advance at TicketBiscuit.com.

Blues Build Benefit Concert

Blues Build Benefit ConcertThe annual Blues Build Benefit Concert returns to Bennett Vineyards & Wine Company to help raise funds to support the Junction City/Harrisburg/Monroe Habitat for Humanity in its effort to build houses for low-to-moderate-income families. The concert is slated for Saturday, July 15, and this year’s line-up is packed with some of the top blues talent in Oregon.

Performances at the Blues Build Concert will start off with Barbara Healy & Groove Too at 3:30 pm, followed by Paul Biondi & Skip Jones at 5:00 pm. Blues Music Award nominee Karen Lovely will take the stage at 6:30 pm and The Hank Shreve Band will close out the night starting at 8:00 pm.

Tickets are available online at Eventbrite.com, $30.00 advance, or they may be purchased at Bennett Vineyards & Wine Company, the Gridiron Sports Bar & Grill in Harrisburg or the Habitat for Humanity ReStores in Junction City, Corvallis, and Eugene. Admission is $35.00 at the gate.

Bennett Vineyards & Wine Company is located at 25974 Highway 36, Cheshire, Oregon. Gates open at 3:00 pm. This is a non-smoking venue. You’re welcome to bring your own lawn chairs and blankets, but please leave your pets at home. Food and beverages will be available for purchase, but please no outside alcohol. Also, please respect our artists’ work — no recording of the performances!

Tony DeMicoli

Tony DeMicoliThe early 1980s were a golden age for home-grown, live music in Portland. Fans filled clubs to listen to local bands that could/would soon be signing major label record deals and touring nationally and internationally, and Tony DeMicoli was one of the most respected club owners and promoters from that era. Starting with the essential punk and art rock venue The Long Goodbye, moving on to the legendary Luis’ LaBamba Club and then finally Club Key Largo, which he owned and managed for over a decade. Tony provided a stage for hundreds, if not thousands, of artists of all genres including many of the biggest names in the blues (Robert Cray, Junior Wells, Buddy Guy, Long John Hunter, Paul deLay, Sam & Dave, The Neville Brothers, among many, many more) over his club ownership and promotion career.

Now three of the biggest draws of the 80s decade; Nu Shooz, Quarterflash, and Jon Koonce of Johnny and the Distractions, are getting together for one amazing night to relive those glory days in tribute to Tony DeMicoli, recognizing the impact that he had promoting live music in Portland. The historic Crystal Ballroom will be the venue for this reunion and tribute on Sunday, July 16th starting at 7:00 pm for this 21 & over shindig.

Nu Shooz, led by John Smith and Valerie Day, were regulars at Luis’ LaBamba Club and Key Largo. Their album Poolside and its hit single “I Can’t Wait” went platinum and they were inducted into the Oregon Music Hall of Fame.

Quarterflash, originally Seafood Mama, was another Oregon Music Hall of Fame inducted band, led by Marv and Rindy Ross. Their debut release featuring the single “Harden My Heart” was also a platinum selling disc and the release party for the album had been held at Luis’ LaBamba Club.

Jon Koonce was the leader of the legendary “Johnny and the Distractions.” Their self-released first album was a massive northwest hit which brought them a recording contract with A and M Records, and found them touring the country opening for acts like Tom Petty, The J Geils Band, and Asia. Jon has continually been active with various projects in rock, blues, and rockabilly over the years, including his latest album The Lost Cause.

Tickets for this special tribute show for Tony DeMicoli can be purchased in advance for $20.00 at CascadeTickets.com. McMenamins Crystal Ballroom is located at 1332 W Burnside.

Little Hurricane

Little HurricaneBased out of San Diego, Little Hurricane is known for its powerful and energetic performances built upon a minimalist blues approach to furnish a rocking, indie-inspired style. On their latest recording, Gold Fever, guitarist Anthony “Tone” Catalano dispenses lead-heavy riffs, bluegrass-style twang, and gorgeously understated soloing. While C.C. Spina’s drumming  shifts from thundering and frantic to crisp and razor-sharp. That commitment to organic, unadorned sound is evident in the Little Hurricane’s live experience, appearing at Lollapalooza and Austin City Limits in recent years. “Live is what we’re really all about, and we try to put on as big a show we can for everyone,” says C.C. The stripped-down and amped-up two-piece dynamic also goes a long way in maintaining Little Hurricane’s beautifully brutal energy.

Little Hurricane will be playing at the Wonder Ballroom, 128 Northeast Russell Street, on Saturday, July 15. This all ages show starts at 9:00 pm and tickets are $18.00 in advance at TicketFly.com or $20.00 at the door.

Bill “Howl-N-Madd” Perry

Bill “Howl-N-Madd” PerryBill “Howl-N-Madd” Perry knows how to rock the juke with nothing more than his guitar, his foot, and his voice. His vocal stylings are haunting, compelling, a broad, choked vibrato that owes something to Howlin’ Wolf and something to the diddley-bow, with a gravelly, bourbon-soaked edge. Some think he’s the best blues singer in Mississippi. Maybe that’s because he’s lived a remarkable, wide-ranging life that has taken him far beyond the borders of the Magnolia State.

Internationally acclaimed Delta Blues Man Bill “Howl-N-Madd” Perry’s dazzling Mississippi Juke Joint blues performances have taken him from Ground Zero in Clarksdale, to venues around the world, and in 2012, a special appearance at Lincoln Center. He has recorded as both a gospel artist and a bluesman, and has toured and worked with many artists including Little Milton, T-Bone Walker, Freddie King, The Five Blind Boys, Shirley Caesar, Little Richard, Little Johnnie Taylor, and Cash McCall.

Making a rare west coast tour swing, Bill “Howl-N-Madd” Perry will be performing two shows at The Birk in July. On Saturday, July 15, he will be playing at 7:00 pm and again on Sunday, July 16 at 3:00 pm. The Birk is located at 11139 Hwy 202 in Birkenfeld. Tickets can be purchased in advance at TicketTomato.com for $10.00; or $15.00 at the door.