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Short Takes USA: Portland<br />
I'm pleased to begin this column with news that there's a new contributor to the<br />
Portland Jazz/Improv scene and that it is actually (drum roll please) CADENCE<br />
magazine itself! Publisher David Haney has taken it upon himself to further the<br />
mission by bringing some top-level talent to the warm environs of Ivories Jazz<br />
Lounge (1435 NW Flanders. 503-341-6514). Jan.20-22 presented the premiere<br />
of CADENCE FEST, a three night musical smorgasboard of several different<br />
genres of this music we call Jazz. And it was all here in little ol' Portland, OR.<br />
Night 1: Alan Jones Academy of Musc Ensemble. 2)Mary Sue Tobin Group. 3)<br />
Tribute to Leroy Vinnegar (Alan Jones Project w/ Randy Porter and Tom Wakeling.<br />
Night 2: Gary Smith's Mardi Gras All-Stars. 2)Marc Smason (tbn, voc) w/ Craig<br />
Hoyer (p), Tim Du Roche (d), Andre St. James (b) and Laura Oviedo (ac. gtr, voc). 3)<br />
Trombone master Julian Priester w/ Gordon Lee (p), Andre St. James, Alan Jones(d)<br />
Night 3: Portland State University Five Saxes Group. 2)Rich Halley group<br />
(Rich (ts), Carson Halley (d), Andre St. James and Michael Vlatkovich<br />
(tbn). 3) Bernard Purdie (d) w/ David Haney (p) and Andre St. James.<br />
I was able to catch the 2nd night's events and had a good time. I hadn't seen<br />
a dixieland band in quite some time. And, yes, this was dixieland. No Hot 5's<br />
nor 7's here. The Mardi Gras All-stars were alright and this style of music,<br />
although dated, can provide some thrills. It was an interesting addition to the<br />
bill as this style of jazz is definitely not generally included in settings with<br />
other more "modern" forms. Following that was a singular set by Seattle's Marc<br />
Smason with some northwest friends. Marc's a talented fellow no doubt and is<br />
capable of some fine 'bone work. His vocals are servicable but his taste is suspect.<br />
So this set was a wild mix listing dangerously between some fine ensemble work<br />
both written and improvised and pseudo-lounge tunes. Despite these challenges<br />
there was still plenty of good music made and all players involved were on their<br />
game and sounded great. Special mention should be made for the always exciting<br />
contributions of Craig Hoyer (whom I believe is living in Seattle). I hadn't seen<br />
him for many years (last with Bert Wilson) and his keyboard work was stunning.<br />
Electrifying. The capper for the eve was a sweet set of standards featuring the<br />
great Julian Priester (veteran of so many important jazz sessions) with stellar<br />
backing by three local masters: Pianist Gordon Lee, bassist Andre St. James and<br />
Drum-monster Alan Jones. These cats really laid out some beautiful music to<br />
accompany the gentle-toned trombone legend and this was a fine set. Very satisfying.<br />
From all indications the mini-fest was a solid success featuring a bracing<br />
taste of varied talents and enthusiastic audiences on each night. Mr. Haney<br />
appears to have been pleased by the results as he has already scheduled<br />
a Cadence Night at Ivories for Mar. 20: A Tribute To Herbie Nichols.<br />
The evening will feature: Alan jones Universal Expanding Quartet<br />
followed by David Haney w/ Dan Blunck (saxes) and the (ever-talented<br />
and obviously indefatiguable) Andre St. James. Sounds good to me.<br />
Beyond the festival Ivories presents jazz most, if not all, nights of the<br />
week. They generally feature mainstream and singer/songwriter jazz,<br />
41 | CadenCe Magazine | april May June 2013
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