Greyhounds Bring Their Memphis Sound To Portland For Two Nights

Greyhounds
Greyhounds Anthony Farrell and Andrew Trube.

Greyhounds; Anthony Farrell and Andrew Trube.

As Greyhounds, guitarist Andrew Trube and keyboardist Anthony Farrell have been making music and touring for 15 years while refining and developing a sound Trube describes as “Hall and Oates meet ZZ Top.” The band also has long ties to Memphis, home of the soul that inspires them.

During their long musical partnership, Trube and Farrell have written songs for, among others, Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi, toured with American Idol winner Taylor Hicks, and for several years worked together as part of JJ Grey and Mofro, playing 200 dates a year.

The band in 2013 was signed by Memphis-based Ardent Music for a three-album deal. Ardent Music, the independent record label based out of legendary Ardent Studios in Memphis, Tennessee, expects to build on the fanbase the band has developed both on the road and as a staple of the Austin music scene.

On Tuesday, May 16 and Wednesday, May 17, Greyhounds will be appearing at McMenamin’s White Eagle Saloon & Hotel, 836 N Russell Street at 8:00 pm. Tickets can be purchased in advance through CascadeTickets.com and at the door day of show for $10.00. 21 and over only.

Greyhounds will also be performing earlier in the week in Eugene at Sam Bond’s Garage, 407 Blair, on Sunday, May 14 at 9:00 pm, and in Bend at The Volcanic Theater Pub, 70 SW Century Drive, on Monday, May 15 at 7:00 pm. Contact the venues for admission prices.

The AC Myles Band At The Birk For Two Big Shows

Brent Black of criticaljazz.com leaves no doubt about AC Myles’ talent — “Blues-rocking guitarist AC Myles is an artist whose musical stock seems to be an arrow pointing straight up. The real deal folks! Dig it!”

A Fresno, California native and the only son of production workers, Myles grew up in the migrant worker areas of that Central California town and spent his later teens and twenties touring with his band, eventually finding his way to the San Francisco area playing sideman to a wide array of acts, most notably bluesman Fillmore Slim and soul singer, harmonica player, and songwriter John Nemeth. With his keen ear and sincere passion, AC has now become a gifted entertainer and musician and is maturing into one of the more potent guitarists and vocalists in the blues/rock genre. AC has cultivated a style that echoes a modern Johnny Winter, Steve Marriot, and Elvin Bishop, and his personal appearances have a “take no prisoners” approach, which along with a healthy dose of humor, usually brings even the toughest audiences to his side.

The AC Myles Band will be appearing for two shows at The Birk in May. On Friday, May 5, he will be holding a 7:30 pm performance, then on Saturday, May 6 the band will take the stage for an afternoon show starting at 2:00 pm. Both shows are $10.00 admission. The Birk is located at 11139 Hwy 202 in Birkenfeld.

Valerie June Returns To Portland In Support Of New Album

Valerie June

Valerie JuneMulti-instrumentalist and Tennessee native Valerie June performs a diverse collection of American roots music that encompasses traditional spirituals, Americana, classic blues, folk, soul, and bluegrass through stark acoustic rhythms and uncanny slide guitar, as she effortlessly shifts between eras and genres. She can be haunting and melancholy, singing of the ghostly darkness of loneliness, or full of warmth and charm, at one moment seductive in a sensual come-on, fragile and vulnerable, the next in a display of naked honesty. Valerie June transports you to another world the moment you hear her voice. It is a voice that has been winning over audiences around the world in a seemingly short few years since she first burst upon the music scene.

June is currently on tour in support of her highly-acclaimed new album The Order Of Time. The follow-up to her breakout 2013 release Pushin’ Against A Stone, the new disc seals her place amongst the finest of roots musicians exploring new paths while maintaining a truthfulness to the past.

Valerie June will be appearing at The Aladdin Theater on Saturday, June 3 for an 8:00 pm show. Unfortunately tickets are sold out through the venue, but can still be found online through several ticket brokers. Please be wary of such outlets and verify their authenticity before ordering.

Lake Theater & Cafe to Host Julie Amici’s Yellow Roses EP Release Party

Julie Amici

Julie Amici will be celebrating the release of her new Yellow Roses EP on May 29th at Lake Theater & Cafe. The project is the result of a 6-month collaboration between Julie Amici, Dean Mueller, and their producer Alan Jones. The release party feature Timberbound as the opening act followed by performances that feature the songs written for the CD.

In the last couple of years, Julie Amici has been nominated for the “Best New Act” and “Best Traditional Act” CBA’s Muddy Award’s. The Yellow Roses EP is a significant departure from the jazz and blues vibe that Dean & Julie are most noted for and takes a significant turn in the America direction with all original compositions. To help with the recording, they enlisted one of their regular guitar players, Alan Hager, from the Curtis Salgado Band, keeping continuity with their blues past. To move in the acoustic/Americana direction, they enlisted the help of Gavin Duffy on banjo and mandolin and Jenny Estrin on violin. Gavin and Jenny are both members of Timberbound, a regional folk act lead by Joe Seamons. 

Timberbound will be kicking off the party with a set featuring its own renditions of folk songs, taking the audience on a tour of old sawmills, logger’s cabins, and fisheries of the Pacific Northwest. The debut viewing of the “Yellow Roses” video will start the second set and then the TImberbound cast will then be joining Julie Amici, Dean Mueller, Alan Hager, and Alan Jones for a stirring live rendition of the Yellow Roses EP. 

General admission tickets for this event are $15.00 with a limited number of VIP Table seating for $80.00 (seats four, located in lower section closest to the stage) Tickets are available in advance at laketheatercafe.com. Show time is 7:00 pm.

Duffy Bishop Returns To The Lake!

Duffy Bishop & The Rhythm Dogs

Duffy Bishop & The Rhythm DogsDuffy Bishop and Chris Carlson are certainly missed around here, and the Lake Theater & Cafe will be celebrating their return to the Pacific Northwest with a Duffy Bishop performance on Monday, May 22. Duffy and Chris will be teaming up with long time band members Dean Mueller on the upright bass and Carlton Jackson on drums. for a reunion that is sure to inspire. Duffy Bishop is a force of nature, a powerful blues blaster, a sultry soul singer, and a presence who connects with her audience in a deeply personal way be it in an intimate club or huge festival.

Tickets for this performance are available online at laketheatercafe.com for $15.00 general admission. Sorry, all of the VIP tables are sold out, so get your tickets now! Show time is 7:00 pm. The Lake Theater & Café is located in downtown Lake Oswego at 106 N State Street.

CD Release Party For Tony Furtado – The Cider House Sessions

Tony Furtado - photo by Alicia J Rose

Very few musicians of any stripe so personify a musical genre as completely as Portland’s Tony Furtado embodies Americana roots music. Tony is an evocativeTony Furtado - photo by Alicia J Rose and soulful singer, a wide-ranging songwriter and a virtuoso multi-instrumentalist adept on banjo, cello-banjo, slide guitar, and baritone ukulele who mixes and matches a menu of sounds and styles with the flair of a master chef. Furtado has scheduled a CD release party to be held at The Alberta Rose Theatre, 3000 NE Alberta Street, on Saturday, May 6. He performs in a wide mix of musical styles that have found him performing at major festivals such as varied as Telluride Bluegrass, Aspen Jazz, and Kerrville Folk. Influenced by musicians such as Ry Cooder, Taj Mahal and David Lindley, he has toured alongside artists like Gregg Allman, Derek Trucks, and Sonny Landreth.

“Tony Furtado is a major musical force without a doubt. He has his black-belt in voice and bottleneck guitar and his banjo playing scares the crap out of me.” – David Lindley

Furtado’s sixth and latest release, The Cider House Sessions,” was recorded live at Reverend Nat’s in Portland. That will be the focus for his performance at the Alberta Rose Theatre, but expect a night filled with some new tunes, old favorites, and special guests including the band DEAN, who will open the show.

Show time is 8:00 pm, with doors opening at 7:00 pm. Tickets can be obtained in advance through Ticketbiscuit.com for $15.00 or for $18.00 at the door day of show. Minors are okay when accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Lloyd Jones Struggle Bend-ing The Blues, New Concert Series

lloyd jonesBend-ing The Blues is a new series of concerts held at The Old Stone Performing Arts Center in Bend, Oregon that is aimed at bringing Portland blues masters to Bend. The kick-off event on Saturday, May 20 will host The Lloyd Jones Struggle with an opening set from Kinzel & Hyde.

Lloyd “Have Mercy” Jones has recorded six critically acclaimed albums, toured internationally, and racked up dozens of major awards and accolades, including induction into the Oregon Music Hall of Fame, a Cascade Blues Association “Lifetime Achievement Award,”  and the recipient of 35 Muddy Awards. A relentless road dog, Lloyd has been hitting festival stages, Delbert’s annual Sandy Beaches Cruises (he’s been a regular on six winter cruises), and clubs all across the land to enthusiastic crowds who can’t get enough of his swampy blues, back-porch picking, serious-as-anthrax funk, soul, roadhouse two-beats, and old-school rhythm and blues. He just may be the best-kept roots/blues/Americana secret on the contemporary scene today.

Also appearing will be Cascade Blues Association Hall of Fame Inductees and multiple Muddy Award winners Kinzel and Hyde. Regarded as “Guardians of Traditional Blues,” the pair have appeared on XM Sirius radio station “Bluesville,” NPR’s “Blues On Stage” and provided subject matter and soundtrack for the documentary “Portland Mojo: How Stumptown Got The Blues.” Deep-rooted in traditional sounds, including Delta blues, Cajun, Gulf Coast, classic country, jazz, folk, roots and swing, they are known for their humor and story-telling, taking  audiences on a tour of blues and roots music that will blow you away!

The Old Stone Performing Arts Center is located at 157 NW Franklin Avenue. Doors will open at 7:30 pm for the 8:00 pm show and is open to all ages. This is a limited seating dance event. Tickets are $18.00 in advance through the venue’s website www.oldstonebend..com and at www.Bendtickets.com. Admission at the door is $25.00.

This is a Cascade Blues Association co-sponsored event. CBA members attending will receive a complimentary CD from Kinzel & Hyde.

Bend is a great week-end destination with much to do and see. There are several hotels near The Old Stone, which is the oldest church in Bend and has been restored with new wood floors, service bar and fine acoustics. The Old Stone is located in historic Old Bend, near the downtown blocks, close to vibrant night life and fine dining, offered up Bend style! They have ample parking in a safe lot.

Malian Blues Rocker Vieux Farka Toure

Vieux Farka Toure

Vieux Farka ToureIf you look at the musicians of Mali you just might find a direct link between Africa and the blues. Especially when you consider the late guitarist Ali Farke Toure and the family tradition carried on by his son Vieux Farka Toure. It was not a career that his father had intended or wished upon his son. He wanted him to become a soldier. But the talent was there and Vieux found his father’s blessings.

Vieux was originally a drummer, but found his true calling with the guitar. His fiery playing has earned him respect as one of the world’s finest guitarists and the nickname “The Hendrix of the Sahara.”  He has defined African blues rock and continues exploring other aspects of music. Vieux’s performances are exciting, intense and filled with passion.

Vieux Farka Toure will be performing at The Star Theater, 13 NW 6th Avenue, on Thursday, May 4 at 9:00 pm. 21 and over only. Tickets are $17.00 and can be bought at Ticketweb.com. Opening the night will be Jamaican-born, Seattle-based Clinton Fearon.

 

Norman Sylvester presents “A Phenomenal Concert – The Journey of Blues and Gospel in America”

On Friday, June 2, Norman Sylvester  will be hosting “A Phenomenal Concert – The Journey of Blues and Gospel in America” at the Alberta Rose Theatre. This all-star event will focus on the music from the cradle of birth in Africa, the cotton fields of the Mississippi Delta, to our urban cities.

Performing at this event along with be the Norman Sylvester Revue featuring local musicians LaRhonda Steele, Leeanne Sylvester, Bill Rhoades, Renato Caranto, Peter Moss with special guests Chata Addy  (Ghanaian Drumming and Dance), and Tevis Hodge Jr. (Acoustic Delta Blues and Ragtime).

Also, as part of this event And a sneak preview of Jeff Dodge’s video project “Tales from Old Portland.”

Blues and gospel have been a major art form used in communication and inspiration since the days of slavery. Please join them in celebrating this healing music.

The Alberta Rose Theatre is located at 3000 NE Alberta Street. Tickets are $20.00 general admission and can be purchased through Ticketbiscuit.com. This all ages event  starts at 8:00 pm, doors at 7:00 pm.

 

Squrl Music Presents Blues Music Award Nominee Nick Moss Band

Nick Moss Band

Nick Moss BandNick Moss has been recognized as one the great guitarists of his generation, garnering accolades from  the likes of Buddy Guy and others. His recording career spans decades working with some of the giants of the blues such as Jimmy Dawkins, Jimmy Rogers, and The Legendary Blues Band.  As a solo artist heading his own band, he has released multiple albums that have become staples at blues radio outlets worldwide, including his latest release, From The Root To The Fruit, that earned Blues Music Award nominations for Best Contemporary Album and Album of the Year.

Nick Moss Band has a legion of fans that flock to his shows, knowing that each night will be a grand musical experiment. There will be sonic textures to discover and new sounds to stir the soul. The band is super tight, made up of Nick Moss on lead guitars/vocals, Nick Fane on bass, Patrick Seals on drums, and Taylor Streiff on keyboard. The Nick Moss Band is also nominated for a Blues Music Award for Band of the Year.

Joining the band on this swing through the Northwest will be special guests Andrew Duncanson from the Kilborn Alley Blues Band on second guitar, and Blues Music Award nominated Dennis Gruenling on harmonica.

Squrl Music presents the Nick Moss Band at The Bingen Theater on Saturday, May 6 for an all ages show starting at 7:30 pm. Advance tickets are available for $20.00 tickets at Wacoma Bookstore in Hood River and Klindt’s Bookstore in The Dalles. This show is a benefit for The Columbia River Fellowship For Peace. Local favorites Funkship will open the night. The Bingen Theater is located at 210 N Oak Street in Bingen, Washington.