The 15th Annual Biamp PDX Jazz Festival | Feb. 15th-25th, 2018

2018 Lineup Set for BIAMP PDX Jazz Festival Presented by Cascades Sotheby’s International RealityHeadliners Terri Lyne Carrington, Ravi Coltrane, Esperanza Spalding Lovingly Remembering Geri Allen; Snarky Puppy; Dr. Lonnie Smith; Miles Electric Band; Jazz By 5: Javon Jackson, Randy Brecker, Joanne Brackeen, Eddie Gomez, Jimmy CobbWest Coasting with Portland Jazz Master Art Abrams Featuring Ernie Andrews & Barbara MorrisonAbdullah Ibrahim & Ekaya, Kurt Elling, Nancy King, Darrell Grant, Julian Lage David Sanchez Caribe, Scott Amendola, Charles Tolliver & New Music Inc., Ben Allison, Tigran Hamasyan, Charles Gayle, David Friesen Charnett Moffett, Rachel Flowers, and Amina Figarova Compliment Tributes to Jon Hendricks, Eddie Jefferson, Al Jarreau, Miles Davis, Cole Porter, Jazz Crusaders, and Sonny RollinsDouble Bill Bonus Shows: Marcus Roberts & Russell Malone, Lisa Fischer and Grand Baton & Tahirah Memory, Regina Carter “For Ella” & Bill Frisell/Thomas Morgan, Luciana Souza’s Word Strings & Dave King Trio George Colligan Trio & Ethan IversonGeneral Sale will begin November 1, 2017

The 15th anniversary edition will acknowledge the originally hip and wonderfully wacky world of jazz vocalese, highlighted by Grammy® Award-winner Kurt Elling and his homage to mentor, 95-years-young Jon Hendricks with daughters Michele and Aria Hendricks performing along with Portland stalwarts Randy Porter and Nancy King, and a performance by the Portland State University Jazz Vocal Ensemble under the direction of Sherry Alves.

(left) Kurt Elling and Dr. Lonnie Smith

A nod to hipsterism will be penultimate when Richie Cole, the last living link to Eddie Jefferson’s pioneering legacy, makes a rare PDX appearance joining Harlem-based Allan Harris to fete the deceased singer on his 100th birthday. Keeping it local and very real on the subject of scat is the Bobby Torres Ensemble with vocalist Sean Holmes paying respect to the legacy of Al “Breakin’ Away” Jarreau. Always a great hang at Al’s Den, the annual themed residency curated by Mary Sue Tobin of free nightly programs by Portland based artists will spotlight singers, scatters and swingers.

The loss of pianist Geri Allen this summer was emotionally hard and sent shock waves through the jazz community as she touched so many of us in a myriad of meaningful ways. She also left an indelible mark on the festival with her stirring performance in tribute to Alice Coltrane in 2015 and as the centrifugal force in the trio collective, ACS which made their west coast debut here in 2013. It was the pioneering pianist’s wish that Ravi Coltrane play for her in Portland and we are humbled by this auspicious occasion. States Esperanza Spalding, “Geri was and is a divine prism of pure heart and artistry.” Terri Lyne Carrington recalls, “You are an inspiring maverick an exemplary creator that I’m proud to have been able to call my friend and bandmate. You’ve positively touched so many and my life and art will always reflect your vision and influence.” Darrell Grant, who worked with her a decade ago at Reed College, speaks of Allen in reverential terms as his singular most important influence.

(left) Abdullah Ibrahim and Esperanza Spalding

States Executive Artistic Director, Don Lucoff, “Frankly from a programming standpoint, it’s seamless to bring back a bevy of perennial headliners who graced our stages these past 15 years, but we chose rather to focus and blend on who has not appeared and should be here with select returnees that speaks to the emerging, established and legacy careers of Charles Tolliver and New Music Inc., Miles Electric Band, Ben Allison, Scott Amendola, Abdullah Ibrahim & Ekaya, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Jazz By 5, Charles Gayle, Mostly Other People Do the Killing, Dave King, Russell Malone, Rachel Flowers, Tigran Hamasyan, Marcus Roberts, and Lisa Fischer, Yotam Silberstein, among others.

“Many of our esteemed resident artists will appear in a variety of special situations including the David Friesen Reunion Trio, Randy Porter with Nancy King, Trio Subtonic featuring Dan Balmer, Devin Phillips Trio, Domo Branch Quintet, Portland Jazz Master Art Abrams, Tahirah Memory, Bobby Torres, UP Jazz Ensemble, PSU Vocal Jazz Ensemble, George Colligan with Buster Williams and Lenny White and Dan Gaynor and Gordon Lee.

(left) Lisa Fischer and Regina Carter

“PDX Jazz partners with a variety of selected venues: Revolution Hall, Newmark and Winningstad Theatres, Classic Piano, The Mission Theatre, The Old Church, Mississippi Studios, Jack London Revue, University of Portland, PSU, Al’s Den and White Eagle Tavern,” continues Lucoff. “Free music will also be heard in over a dozen hotels and restaurants throughout Portland. We welcome the continued year-round partnership with Soul’D Out Music Productions and their special programs of Snarky Puppy and Lettuce, the enduring support from KMHD Radio and our many sponsors, members and supporters.”

The 15th annual Biamp PDX Jazz Festival Presented by Cascades Sotheby’s International Realty was co-founded in 2004 with Travel Portland to establish a cultural tourism initiative in the metro Portland area, and to celebrate Black History Month through education and outreach programming.

DL Media