TICKETS $25 | ALL AGES John Nastos (Alto Sax) Greg Goebel (Piano) Garrett Baxter (Bass) Christopher Brown (Drums) Upon Christopher Brown’s return to Portland in 2012—which was preceded by 13 years in the NYC area, as well as four years in the Marine Corps—the assemblage of his quartet quickly became one of note. And by 2017, his quartet had officially become the most visible Jazz group in all of Portland, with a steady weekly cadence of 3-4 performances, which was maintained until the start of the global pandemic. And even then, it took them no more than three months to return to a similar weekly performance schedule. Since 2017, the quartet has created a home for themselves at the famed 1905 Jazz club in Portland. And through their regular performances, they’ve not only helped to raise the profile of the venue to one of the world’s top 100 Jazz clubs according to Down Beat Magazine, but of Jazz itself in Portland. So in a market where it's difficult to maintain group's with the same personnel, it's arguable that the Christopher Brown Quartet succeeds as being one of (if not the best) Jazz "group" in all of Portland, which in turn gives them such a powerful, polished, and identifiable sound that can now be heard on his debut album "Sole City" on the PJCE record label.
$25 TICKETS | ALL AGES Gordon will be playing an eclectic mix of his own original music, some jazz standards and maybe a Jim Pepper song! “Lee unravels a series of original melodies that are insinuating or soulful or both” — Jazz Times “Pianist Gordon Lee’s solos are often vast feats of architecture, their immense proportions looming up with great suddenness…symphonic precision as well as spontaneous improvisation” Jazz Society of Oregon Gordon Lee is a composer, jazz pianist, arranger, conductor and music educator. Although he is best known for his jazz performances and compositions, Lee is active in many styles of music. He has had commissions to compose chamber music and music for large ensembles from Oregon Symphony members, the Amadei String Quartet, big bands, and vocalists including a collaboration with Ghanaian singer Obo Addy on an orchestral suite in 2004. He taught improvisation, theory and jazz history at Western Oregon University from 1999 to 2019 and was Executive Director of the award winning W.O.U./Mel Brown Summer Jazz Camp. He conducted the jazz ensembles at Reed College from 2009 to 2017.
TICKETS $25 - ALL AGES The Ben Fowler Quintet infuses modern jazz with a heavy dose of soul, blues, and gospel roots. Get ready for an incredible night of music at The 1905! The band has new music, special guests, and surprises a plenty for this evening. Besides the standard repertoire from The Pilgrimage album era, Fowler will be sizzling up some new and modern tunes as well, from some of Ben's biggest influences, including Kenny Garrett, Mike Stern, Donald Harrison, Vincent Herring, The Crusaders, and more.
$25 TICKETS | ALL AGES Micah Hummel - drums Dan Duval - guitar Galen Clark - hammond B3 The Galen Clark Organ Trio brings a genre bending approach to the classic organ trio instrumentation, exploring entropic soundscapes, psychedelic funk and groove heavy electronic tinged jazz. Galen Clark is a keyboardist, songwriter, producer, and educator based in Portland, OR. He leads the soul funk collective Outer Orbit and the genre bending group Trio Subtonic and he is 1/3 of the NW collaboration Patterns Fly with D'Vonne Lewis and Andy Coe. He has toured and collaborated with artists such as Anna Tivel, Sarah Clarke, Sleater-Kinney, A Love Electric, Jessica Lurrie and more.
TICKETS $25 | ALL AGES Ed Bennett has long been considered one of the West Coast's premiere string bass players. Living in Portland, Oregon since 1990, Ed's work has taken him virtually everywhere in the world. He has worked with, toured internationally, or recorded with many legendary jazz figures, including: Dizzy Gillespie, Curtis Fuller, Terell Stafford, Claudio Roditi, Jeremy Pelt, Joe Henderson, Sonny Stitt, Benny Golson, Frank Morgan, Richie Cole, Pete Christlieb, Bud Shank, Charles McPherson, Hadley Caliman, Bobby Watson, Harry Allen, Pete Jolly, Don Abney, Joe Albany, Dave Frishberg, James Williams, Mike Wofford, Pete Malinverni, Bill Mays, Dick Berk, Lawrence Marable, Frank Butler, Gene Stone, Joey Baron, Chuck Redd, Carmen McRae, Jimmy Witherspoon, Anita O'Day, Nancy King, Ernistine Anderson, Marlena Shaw, Karrin Allyson, Mary Stallings, Dee Daniels, Bill Henderson, The Modernaires, Toshiko Akiyoshi-Lew Tabakin Big Band and the Gerald Wilson Orchestra. A dedicated, working professional, Ed also majored in music, first attending Los Angeles Valley College. The following year, Ed was accepted to the Berklee School of Music in Boston in 1971. Ed made what he considers to be his first professional jazz engagement doing a week stint at the Jazz Workshop with Brazilian greats Victor Brasil and Claudio Rotiti, while a Berklee student. On his return home to Los Angeles he attended CSUN (Cal State University Northridge) in 1973. In 1974, Ed toured with Jimmy Witherspoon. Between 1976 and 1979 he backed Carmen McRae, making his recording debut on "Carmen McRae at the Great American Music Hall" in San Francisco which was nominated for a Grammy Award in 1977. In 1981, he worked with the Toshiko Akiyoshi-Lew Tabackin Big Band, recording the double Grammy nominated "Tanuki's Night Out" (released in Japan as "From Toshiko With Love") Ed Bennett recorded his first album as leader in 1987. A trio date with Kent Glenn (piano) and Jack Ranelli (drums). In 1993 Ed started Saphu Records, an independent jazz record label featuring select West coast jazz musicians. There are currently 23 releases in the Saphu catalog. In Portland, Ed has been a member of the Mel Brown Quartet for over 20 years. He has been the bassist for the Tony Pacini Trio since 1999. Ed performs with his Quintet focusing on his original compositions, and a bass duo with Shao Way Wu called Two Bass Hit.
TICKETS $25 | ALL AGES Sherry Alves has been a leading performer and educator in jazz, Brazilian, and Latin music in the Pacific Northwest for years. A respected cultural leader based in Portland, Oregon, she thrives on quiet leadership, sophisticated performances, and transformative messages about who we are as people, across times and cultures. Join Sherry as she entertains and elevates us through the power of music, culture, and history. She offers inspirational programs for corporations, entertaining shows for venues of all sizes, and collaborations that build audiences and communities.
TICKETS $25 - ALL AGES Kerry and the band will be celebrating Antônio Carlos Jobim in honor of his birthday and National Bossa Nova Month! Jazz pianist/composer Kerry Politzer leads Bossa PDX, Portland's classic Brazilian jazz and bossa nova ensemble. The group, which performs music from a different Brazilian composer each month, has been featured at the Cathedral Park Jazz Festival, the Oregon Coast Jazz Party, and Jazz in the Valley, among other venues. Politzer has released nine albums as a leader, the most recent of which is "Alternate Route" (Whirlwind Recordings). An alumna of the New England Conservatory of Music, she currently teaches at Portland State University and Clackamas Community College.
TICKETS $30 | ALL AGES Pianist, vocalist, and composer Dawn Clement is a joyful and formidable force in the landscape of modern creative music. For over two decades, Clement has served as both a torchbearer of the jazz tradition and as a trailblazer in fresh sonic explorations. “In all this world of jazz, there are very few individual voices, no matter what the instrument, but Dawn has come up with a voice that’s unique...” says legendary jazz trombonist Julian Priester.
TICKETS $40 | ALL AGES Emmy-nominated Trumpeter and Vocalist Benny Benack III (BBIII) has quickly become a leading voice in Jazz for his generation, headlining clubs and festivals around the world on the heels of his latest critically acclaimed live album “This Is The Life,” which has been garnering thousands of streams and topping the JazzWeek Radio Charts. He is the rare talent who is formidable as a fiery trumpeter -- ranging from Freddie Hubbard to Louis Armstrong and everyone in between -- while as a singer he delivers sly, mature, naturally expressive post-Sinatra vocal stylings. His sophomore album “A Lot of Livin’ to Do” (2020) featured the likes of bass luminary Christian McBride, achieving viral online fame w/his vocalese rendition of "Social Call," ft. Veronica Swift, which has been transcribed and covered by singers around the world. He has crooned his way to millions more listeners alongside groups such as the Grammy-winning “8-Bit Big Band” and YouTube sensation “Postmodern Jukebox”. His 2023 album “Third Time’s the Charm” went all the way to #2 on the charts, and featured a notable line-up of special guests such as Peter Bernstein, Bria Skonberg, Chad LB, and more. Benny's double-threat credentials were first apparent when he was a finalist in the 2014 Thelonius Monk Competition on trumpet, before going on to win Third Place in the 2021 Sarah Vaughan Vocal Competition. His resume for both was recently bolstered by Downbeat Magazine’s Readers Poll for 2025, where he placed #1 for Rising Star Male Vocalist, and was also #8 for Rising Star Trumpet. BBIII's global recognition has been bolstered by his collaborations with the GRAMMY-award winning “8-Bit Big Band,” as well as touring with Postmodern Jukebox. The recent advent of live-streaming concerts has also proved a boon, both through his residency at Smalls Jazz Club, and frequent appearances at fellow superstar Emmet Cohen’s “Emmet’s Place” online series. Benny has established himself as one of the most in-demand touring artists and music educators in the Jazz world, with a seemingly unending intercontinental schedule reflecting his indefatigable love for the music, and with his smile and panache ever on display wherever he goes.
TICKETS $25 | ALL AGES A distinctive voice both on the horn and in his writing, Cyrus Nabipoor's singular sound has garnered him international acclaim. He has been a featured festival artist at PDX Jazz, Cathedral Park, Montavilla Jazz, Mt. Hood Jazz, New Orleans French Quarter, and Chicago Instigation. To date, he has released 3 albums under his own name, and collaborated on numerous more. In addition to his self-titled work, Cyrus runs the Puddletown Stompers, is a member of Reb & The Good News, and works as a freelance trumpeter & music director.
TICKETS $25 | ALL AGES Thoroughly modern and unpretentiously distinctive, TWANS is a true collaboration between Mike Lockwood (drums), Andrew Jones (double bass), and Mike Gamble (guitar+ fx). As individuals they've worked with artists as varied as North Americans, Earth, and Julia Holter as well as an endless cadre of their jazz and improvised music contemporaries in New York, Los Angeles and throughout the Pacific Northwest. Since emerging from the pandemic with their full length debut Leap Day (recorded Feb 29 2020) the trio has shared the stage with such legends as Fugazi alums The Messthetics, Fred Frith Trio, Bill Orcutt/Zoh Amba/Chris Corsano and MSSV featuring Mike Watt. The group's highly personal collection of compositions and deeply spontaneous interplay can evoke meditative minimalism, psychedelic odysseys, unhinged rock and folk songs from a future yet to be discovered. But it all sounds unmistakably like TWANS.
TICKETS $25 | ALL AGES WELCOME Get ready for an unforgettable night of music with Cory Limuaco and his dynamic quartet featuring: Ian Lindsay - bass Charlie Brown III - piano Santiago LaRochelle - keys And Cory holding it down on the drums. Join us for an exhilarating experience as they blend contemporary hip hop, jazz, and R&B into a captivating sound that’s sure to move you. This trio brings a fresh take on modern music that pushes boundaries and ignites the dance floor. Cory Limuaco is no stranger to the music scene, having collaborated with an impressive roster of artists, including Jarrod Lawson, Hailey Niswanger, The Hamiltones, greaterkind, and Sammy Figeroa. His performances at the 1905 are known for their spontaneous creativity and electric energy, guaranteeing an evening filled with memorable moments and infectious grooves. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to experience a night of innovative sounds and vibrant performances. Come join us and be part of a celebration of music that promises to inspire and uplift!
TICKETS $30 - ALL AGES "If this band appeared in New York City, they'd be a sensation!" That was guitar great--and one-time Mel Brown bandmate--George Benson's reaction after hearing the Mel Brown B-3 Organ Group open for him back in September, 2003 at Oregon's prestigious Britt Festival. In fact, this true all-star band--each member is widely viewed as tops in the Northwest on his instrument--has been a sensation for a long while now. With a collective resume that reads like a "Who's Who" of jazz, blues, and soul (all four members are Oregon Music Hall of Fame inductees), this group has the talent and confidence to be completely spontaneous--from their blistering solos to their improvised arrangements and segues. No wonder they've thrilled audiences wherever they've played.
TICKETS $25 | ALL AGES Anna Meyer “Zyanna” is a Portland and Los Angeles jazz and contemporary vocalist, bassist & educator. Zyanna became a bandleader for her trio in 2024 and has found success as a jazz/contemporary electric bassist. Her trio is a blend of is R&B classics, Jazz Standards and Originals with influences of hip hop, spoken word & experimental art rock. Her recent project “Dance of the Dragonfly”, released October 2024, features local Portland Musicians and Los Angeles saxophonist and creator, Nicole McCabe. Zyanna is currently a Graduate Teaching Assistant at Portland State University, pursuing university level jazz vocal education and upright bass.
TICKETS $25 | ALL AGES Album Release : Before The Sky Turns Gold Zach Connolly - Vocals Marshall Peterson - Bass Michael Raynor - Drums George Colligan - Piano Max Reynolds - Guitar Thomas Tuerff - Tenor Sax / Flute Zach Connolly is a jazz vocalist based in Portland, Oregon, by way of Greentown, Indiana. Since 2018, he’s been singing around town at spots like The 1905, Wilf’s, Jo Bar, Alberta Street Pub, Haymaker, the Alberta Rose Theatre, and The Underground, and has appeared at the Cathedral Park Jazz Festival. Known for his warm tone and easy connection with audiences, Zach brings a mix of classic charm and personal style to every performance. Zach fell in love with jazz as a teenager, drawn to the sounds of singers like Chet Baker, Nat King Cole, Sarah Vaughan, Kurt Elling, and Mark Murphy. He studied Vocal Jazz Performance at Portland State University, where he learned from some of the city’s finest musicians, including Sherry Alves, Kerry Politzer, Darrell Grant, George Colligan, and Todd Marston. In 2025, he recorded his debut album, capturing the energy of a live jazz ensemble and his own take on the vocal jazz tradition. The album is set for release on January 30th, 2026, and this show will be the ultimate send-off for all who would like to attend. When he’s not making music, you can usually find him outside camping, hiking, or wandering through the woods somewhere in the Pacific Northwest.
TICKETS $25 | ALL AGES Hailing from the vibrant musical landscape of the Pacific Northwest, Pablo Rivarola stands as a beacon of creativity and innovation in the realm of jazz and improvised music. Born in Houston and raised in Seattle, Rivarola's journey into the world of music began with the comforting melodies of the trumpet echoing through his childhood home. Inspired by the likes of Miles Davis and Maurice Ravel, he found solace and inspiration in the emotive power of their compositions, setting the stage for his own artistic evolution. After honing his craft at Whitman College, Rivarola made the decision to settle in Portland in 2018, drawn by the city's eclectic music scene and vibrant community of artists. Since then, he has become a fixture in the city's musical scene, captivating audiences with his poignant performances and boundary-pushing improvisations. Rivarola's music is a reflection of his innermost thoughts and emotions, a journey through the depths of human experience expressed through the language of improvised music. His trumpet playing is characterized by its beauty, thoughtfulness, and emotional depth, weaving intricate melodies that transport listeners to new places. In Portland, Rivarola has quickly made a name for himself as one of the top trumpet players and most sought-after artists in the city. Whether performing alongside fellow musicians or leading his own ensemble, he brings a unique blend of passion, skill, and creativity to every stage he graces. With each note he plays, Rivarola invites audiences to join him on a sonic voyage, exploring the boundless possibilities of music and unlocking the hidden depths of the human spirit. As he continues to push the boundaries of his artistry, Pablo Rivarola stands as a testament to the transformative power of music and the enduring legacy of jazz in the modern era.
TICKETS $25 | ALL AGES A Portland native, Charlie Brown III is a musical director, producer, and keyboardist whose work has gained international renown in recent years. Brown has gained wider exposure when producing for mainstream rap artist, Aminé, and has spent ample time as a fixture in the tight-knit live unit supporting Memphis-based bass guitar prodigy, MonoNeon. Pushing the boundaries of jazz and new music, Brown does so with a unique knack for both composition and improvisation both on stage, and in the studio. He currently splits time producing and performing with his group Greaterkind in Portland, as well as hitting the international touring circuit with a variety of acts. Brown is co-director of the Brown Branch Big Band, and also has music of his own he curates and records.
++ PLEASE NOTE - THIS IS EVENT IS FOCUSED ON EDUCATION - PLEASE READ DESCRIPTION ++ In an effort to create meaningful culture building moments within a Jazz context for teenage musicians (as well as band instructors), drummer/bandleader Christopher Brown will host an ongoing series entitled “Behind the Scene” with his quartet. And what will separate this event from any other like it is that it’ll combine the Jam session, concert, and clinic experience into a collection of transformative moments for all involved. On the 1st Sunday of each month Christopher teams up with Montavilla Jazz to provide our city with an invaluable Jazz workshop that’s designed to adequately prepare young musicians for the most competitive musical environments in the world (namely NYC). So for the cost of a trip to Starbucks, this event provides: • 30 min concert by Christopher’s quartet. • One hour Q & A with the quartet. • 30 min food, beverage, and mingling break. • One hour of interactive music mentoring with members of Christopher’s quartet. • Access to the quartet’s extended network. **THERE IS NO FOOD OR DRINK SERVED AT THIS EVENT (outside food and drinks are permitted)**
TICKETS $25 | ALL AGES Ed Bennett has long been considered one of the West Coast's premiere string bass players. Living in Portland, Oregon since 1990, Ed's work has taken him virtually everywhere in the world. He has worked with, toured internationally, or recorded with many legendary jazz figures, including: Dizzy Gillespie, Curtis Fuller, Terell Stafford, Claudio Roditi, Jeremy Pelt, Joe Henderson, Sonny Stitt, Benny Golson, Frank Morgan, Richie Cole, Pete Christlieb, Bud Shank, Charles McPherson, Hadley Caliman, Bobby Watson, Harry Allen, Pete Jolly, Don Abney, Joe Albany, Dave Frishberg, James Williams, Mike Wofford, Pete Malinverni, Bill Mays, Dick Berk, Lawrence Marable, Frank Butler, Gene Stone, Joey Baron, Chuck Redd, Carmen McRae, Jimmy Witherspoon, Anita O'Day, Nancy King, Ernistine Anderson, Marlena Shaw, Karrin Allyson, Mary Stallings, Dee Daniels, Bill Henderson, The Modernaires, Toshiko Akiyoshi-Lew Tabakin Big Band and the Gerald Wilson Orchestra. A dedicated, working professional, Ed also majored in music, first attending Los Angeles Valley College. The following year, Ed was accepted to the Berklee School of Music in Boston in 1971. Ed made what he considers to be his first professional jazz engagement doing a week stint at the Jazz Workshop with Brazilian greats Victor Brasil and Claudio Rotiti, while a Berklee student. On his return home to Los Angeles he attended CSUN (Cal State University Northridge) in 1973. In 1974, Ed toured with Jimmy Witherspoon. Between 1976 and 1979 he backed Carmen McRae, making his recording debut on "Carmen McRae at the Great American Music Hall" in San Francisco which was nominated for a Grammy Award in 1977. In 1981, he worked with the Toshiko Akiyoshi-Lew Tabackin Big Band, recording the double Grammy nominated "Tanuki's Night Out" (released in Japan as "From Toshiko With Love") Ed Bennett recorded his first album as leader in 1987. A trio date with Kent Glenn (piano) and Jack Ranelli (drums). In 1993 Ed started Saphu Records, an independent jazz record label featuring select West coast jazz musicians. There are currently 23 releases in the Saphu catalog. In Portland, Ed has been a member of the Mel Brown Quartet for over 20 years. He has been the bassist for the Tony Pacini Trio since 1999. Ed performs with his Quintet focusing on his original compositions, and a bass duo with Shao Way Wu called Two Bass Hit.
TICKETS $25 | ALL AGES John Nastos (Alto Sax) Greg Goebel (Piano) Garrett Baxter (Bass) Christopher Brown (Drums) Upon Christopher Brown’s return to Portland in 2012—which was preceded by 13 years in the NYC area, as well as four years in the Marine Corps—the assemblage of his quartet quickly became one of note. And by 2017, his quartet had officially become the most visible Jazz group in all of Portland, with a steady weekly cadence of 3-4 performances, which was maintained until the start of the global pandemic. And even then, it took them no more than three months to return to a similar weekly performance schedule. Since 2017, the quartet has created a home for themselves at the famed 1905 Jazz club in Portland. And through their regular performances, they’ve not only helped to raise the profile of the venue to one of the world’s top 100 Jazz clubs according to Down Beat Magazine, but of Jazz itself in Portland. So in a market where it's difficult to maintain group's with the same personnel, it's arguable that the Christopher Brown Quartet succeeds as being one of (if not the best) Jazz "group" in all of Portland, which in turn gives them such a powerful, polished, and identifiable sound that can now be heard on his debut album "Sole City" on the PJCE record label.