The 1905's Upcoming Shows

TICKETS $30 | ALL AGES

Luther S. Allison - piano

Garrett Baxter - bass

Ken Mastrogiovanni - drums

“He’s reamplifying the tradition of jazz piano and he’s lifting up a legacy that’s the foundation for many people” -New York Times. Accomplished multi-instrumentalist Luther S. Allison has set himself apart as one of the most in-demand artists in jazz today. Forging a path on both piano and drum set, Allison cemented himself as one of the leading voices of his generation. The Charlotte, North Carolina native is recognized for his blues-based, gospel inspired playing with deep roots in the tradition of bebop and soul music.

Upon completing his B.A. in Studio Music and Jazz from the University of Tennessee and M.M. in Jazz Studies from Michigan State University (both degrees with focuses in drum set and piano) Allison began a consistent touring career on both instruments supporting the likes of Jazzmeia Horn, Helen Sung, Samara Joy, Rodney Whitaker, Etienne Charles, The Baylor Project, and Ulysses Owens Jr.

Allison’s debut album, I Owe It All To You, was released on Posi-Tone Records, highlighting his noteworthy arrangements, compositional prowess, and exceptional skill as a pianist. Rated 4.5 stars by Downbeat, the album was described as “a portrait of a straight-ahead pianist who seems to have no weak points in his arsenal” -Downbeat.

Allison is also featured as a sideman on numerous projects – notably the GRAMMY Award Winning single, Tight, supporting vocalist Samara Joy. Allison is a distinguished touring artist who has taken the stage at notable venues such as Village Vanguard, Dizzy's Club, Birdland, Kennedy Center, and Blue Note Milano. He has also been featured at renowned jazz festivals including Newport, Monterey, Detroit, Washington DC, North Sea, Umbria, Marciac, and Jazz A Vienne.

In addition to his work as a bandleader and sideman, Allison is a consummate educator and curator – having operated as Adjunct Jazz Faculty (4 years) and Chair of the Percussion Department (2 years) at The Calhoun School in New York City. He has also served on faculty for numerous summer intensives, particularly the Brevard Jazz Institute and the Stanford Jazz Workshop. Allison has worked in conjunction with the National Jazz Museum in Harlem as a Curatorial Fellow where he assisted the organization by programming and curating events in the museum for an entire calendar year. Moreover, Allison has curated and music directed performances for the Louis Armstrong Museum in Queens, New York.

As a composer, Allison has already begun to leave an indelible mark, leading to him being commissioned by Wynton Marsalis to compose an original work for the esteemed Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. Allison was also commissioned by Jazz at Lincoln Center to music direct and arrange the Sacred Works of Duke Ellington – initially featured in Dizzy’s Club and later expanded for the Appel Room. Alongside his achievements as a musician/composer/music director, Allison is featured as both an actor and recorded musician on Maggie Gylenhaal’s upcoming film The Bride, contributing on screen along with several recorded tracks for the film score. Luther Allison is a proud YAMAHA artist. “He’s reamplifying the tradition of jazz piano and he’s lifting up a legacy that’s the foundation for many people” -New York Times. Accomplished multi-instrumentalist Luther S. Allison has set himself apart as one of the most in-demand artists in jazz today. Forging a path on both piano and drum set, Allison cemented himself as one of the leading voices of his generation. The Charlotte, North Carolina native is recognized for his blues-based, gospel inspired playing with deep roots in the tradition of bebop and soul music.

Upon completing his B.A. in Studio Music and Jazz from the University of Tennessee and

M.M. in Jazz Studies from Michigan State University (both degrees with focuses in drum

set and piano) Allison began a consistent touring career on both instruments supporting the

likes of Jazzmeia Horn, Helen Sung, Samara Joy, Rodney Whitaker, Etienne Charles, The

Baylor Project, and Ulysses Owens Jr. Allison’s debut album, I Owe It All To You, was released on Posi-Tone Records, highlighting his noteworthy arrangements, compositional prowess, and exceptional skill as a pianist. Rated 4.5 stars by Downbeat, the album was described as “a portrait of a straight-ahead pianist who seems to have no weak points in his arsenal” -Downbeat. Allison is also featured as a sideman on numerous projects – notably the GRAMMY Award Winning single, Tight, supporting vocalist Samara Joy.

Allison is a distinguished touring artist who has taken the stage at notable venues such as

Village Vanguard, Dizzy's Club, Birdland, Kennedy Center, and Blue Note Milano. He has also

been featured at renowned jazz festivals including Newport, Monterey, Detroit, Washington

DC, North Sea, Umbria, Marciac, and Jazz A Vienne.

In addition to his work as a bandleader and sideman, Allison is a consummate educator and

curator – having operated as Adjunct Jazz Faculty (4 years) and Chair of the Percussion

Department (2 years) at The Calhoun School in New York City. He has also served on faculty

for numerous summer intensives, particularly the Brevard Jazz Institute and the Stanford Jazz

Workshop. Allison has worked in conjunction with the National Jazz Museum in Harlem as a

Curatorial Fellow where he assisted the organization by programming and curating events in the

museum for an entire calendar year. Moreover, Allison has curated and music directed performances for the Louis Armstrong Museum in Queens, New York.

As a composer, Allison has already begun to leave an indelible mark, leading to him being

commissioned by Wynton Marsalis to compose an original work for the esteemed Jazz at

Lincoln Center Orchestra. Allison was also commissioned by Jazz at Lincoln Center to music direct and arrange the Sacred Works of Duke Ellington – initially featured in Dizzy’s Club and later expanded for the Appel Room. Alongside his achievements as a musician/composer/music director, Allison is featured as both an actor and recorded musician on Maggie Gylenhaal’s upcoming film The Bride, contributing on screen along with several recorded tracks for the film score.

Luther Allison is a proud YAMAHA artist.

$30 TICKETS | ALL AGES

NICK ROLFE: keys, piano

Saeeda Wright - vocals

Dan Gildea - guitar

Ehud Guy - bass

Tyrone Hendrix - drums

Nick Rolfe was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and raised in Seattle, Washington. He began studying piano at the age of six, learning both classical and modern pop repertoire. Rolfe began his collegiate studies at Cornish College of the Arts, the leading music school in Seattle, then moved to New York City and completed his B.F.A, in music performance, at the New School for Social Researches' Mannes Conservatory.

Nick has played piano and/or keyboards for numerous musicians including: Aretha Franklin, Sting, Bruce Springsteen, James Taylor, Idina Menzel, trumpeter Chris Botti, Hip-Hop luminary Busta Rhymes, India Arie, Earth, Wind and Fire legend Verdine White, vocal sensation Ledisi, and many others.

Nick Rolfe's award winning ( SESAC National Performance Award ) debut as a leader, "The Persuader" (Blue Jay Records) was the number 5 instrumental jazz record in the United States on multiple charts in 2001.

Both as a leader and a sideman, Rolfe has toured extensively, nationally and internationally. He has received critical acclaim for performances in support of his most recent albums "The Remedy"[2003], "The Mind Of An Evolutionary"[2005] and "A History of Things To Come" [T.A.C.S. Records 2010] as well as his work as a highly sought-after pianoplayer/keyboardist for other artists.

Along with his musical talents Nick has added acting to his resume, appearing on-screen with Academy Award winners Susan Sarandon and Ralph Fiennes in the Emmy Nominated, Golden Globe nominated HBO Film "Doris and Bernard" directed by Bob Balaban, and with Brooke Shields in the NBC series "Lipstick Jungle".

++ 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

Rivkah Ross is a Portland-based drummer, composer, and bandleader. Rivkah’s debut album Dare to Hope (PJCE Records) marks the arrival of an inspiring new voice in modern jazz. Moving effortlessly between beautiful melodies and gritty, angular rhythms, her music embodies defiant triumph and hope. A first-generation American raised by a single mother, Rivkah brings a message of hard-won optimism to every note. Taking a page from her hero, Roy Haynes, and paying homage to giants like Coltrane and Shorter, Rivkah is pushing jazz forward with a sound unapologetically all her own. Rivkah is a native Pacific Northwesterner. She has performed her original compositions at the Montavilla Jazz Festival, PDX Jazz Festival, Mount Hood Jazz Festival, and the Vancouver Jazz & Wine Festival. Her other projects include the Stumptown Sirens, Portland’s first all-female big band, which made their debut appearance on the PDX Jazz Festival in 2026 to a sold-out crowd. Rivkah’s drumming hero is Roy Haynes, and in 2026 she put together The Rivkah Ross Sextet, which played two sold-out Roy Haynes tribute sets at The 1905, Portland’s dedicated jazz club.