What’s on Tap for March’s General Membership Meeting …
- Wednesday, March 7 – 7:00 pm
- Catfish Lou’s, 2460 NW 24th, Portland
- Members always Free, Non-Members $5.00 (Please show your membership card at the door)
- Opening Acoustic Set – Chris Estes
- Second Electric Set – Dripping Wet
Come out the first Wednesday of the month and enjoy an evening of blues music. The Cascade Blues Association celebrates the diverse collection of musicians in our region each month by presenting two sets of live performances and give-away drawings for our members. It may be called a meeting, but this more about fun and friends than business.
For our first performance of the night, we welcome long-time friend of the CBA Chris Estes. Chris plays both guitar and harmonica and sings his own music, which he says come from straight “outta the blue.” Originally influenced by the British bluesmen when he was younger, it was when he was first introduced through a high school friend that he discovered what he refers to as the “real blues.” This included the music of people like Muddy Waters, Lightning Hopkins, Robert Johnson and Sonny Boy Williamson. In fact, he just might tell you that he could very well be the soul partner of Tennesse-based blues legend Sleepy John Estes.
Chris writes and plays from his gut. He says, “It’s a feeling that comes from my emotions and personal experiences.” Something that he has been doing for more than the past 25 years.
Our act for the second set, Dripping Wet may appear to be a new band, having had its first performance just last December, but the core musicians have been playing together for a couple of years, working on harmonies and rhythms in a studio, with their only agenda to make great music. The band has evolved into a genre-spanning groove-machine based on the blues, rhythm and blues, and soul-jazz. As an ensemble they are an eclectic group, and demonstrate a wide variety of musical tastes.
The band features local studio owner Kendra Carpenter on vocals and electric cello; along with Jak Bartels on a vibey-effect driven guitar; two former players from the Cherry Poppin’ Daddies – Brooks Brown on sax/flute/guitar and keyboardist Chris Azorr; and Richard Armida, a Los Angeles transplant and veteran sideman holding down the lower end on electric bass.
The band draws on its deep bench of players with talent and decades of experience to recreate classic songs in new presentations and to develop its own catalog of originals. “The band continues to grow, exponentially,” says bassist Richard Armida. “Every time we perform the band gets better and we share that joy together….it’s a gratifying experience.”
Don’t miss out on another great month of music hosted by the CBA. The perfect spot to meet up with good friends, enjoy a meal and have the chance to win prizes just by attending. We hope to see you there at Catfish Lou’s.
