Richard Rogers and Lorenz Hart informed us 80 years ago on Broadway that “Spring is Here,” and we have enjoyed this reminder ever since through the timeless renditions by Bill Evans, Stan Getz, Frank Sinatra, and Chet Baker. We also appreciate live jazz in the Spring and are about to globally celebrate International Jazz Day on April 30 in St. Petersburg, Russia. Recognized by UNESCO, this auspicious day culminates Jazz Appreciation Month and PDX Jazz is sharing their appreciation with you, the audience who also appreciates this great art form that began in America but is now embraced globally.
The snow is now behind us and there is lots to explore during the second half of April. Our partners at the Soul’D Out Music Festival do an incredible job at musically extending and complementing what we do every February. Our centerpiece co-production is the return of the two-time GRAMMY® Award-winning singer Cécile McLorin Salvant at Revolution Hall this Saturday. Three additional artists making their PDX Jazz debuts during the Festival are Roberto Fonseca, Jaimeo Brown Transcendence, and Ryan Keberle and Catharsis. Roberto, best known for his work with the Buena Vista Social Club, is based in Havana and making a rare U.S. west coast appearance. Jaimeo, who packed the Goodfoot last year, returns with legendary guitarist Chis Sholar (Stevie Wonder, Kanye West, Beyoncé, John Legend, Robert Glasper, Frank Ocean, among countless others) and saxophonist Jaleel Shaw, and the New York-based Catharsis, who collectively bring a wealth of top-tier associations.
Our PDX Jazz Presents series continues with free shows by Portland’s finest musicians at our four partner venues — Teutonic Wine, SouthFork, The 1905, and Solae’s Lounge. Presenting partners across Portland help sustain us and grow this music far and wide. We thank the Lan Su Chinese Garden, who will host our second summer series for five Tuesdays beginning July 24 with tickets just now on sale. Last year’s series completely sold out, so don’t miss out. There’s a lot to be thankful for this Spring as we celebrate and appreciate what America created and the world has thanked us for.
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