10th Annual Montavilla Jazz Festival Presents: Frank Irwin's Aurora Septet

Sun, Sep 03

Chris Frank, Double & Electric Bass, compositions, artwork, and stories Nicole McCabe, Alto Saxophone Jessie Smith, Tenor & Soprano Saxophones, Flute Molly Keller, Trumpet James Powers, Trombone Corey Heppner, Guitar Alexander Thomas, Drums Frank Irwin’s Aurora Septet is the newest project from Portland composer and bassist Chris Frank, a native of Aurora, New York. Since 2018 he has led the Frank Irwin Quintet, an instrumental group that strives to bring positivity and levity into the lives of its audience members through provocative compositions and an uplifting sound. As a relative outsider to the Portland Jazz scene, Frank has been honored to write for some incredible Portland players. FIQ has released two full-length albums and two EPs. Their newest record, New Commute, was selected and reviewed for The Best Jazz on Bandcamp, June 2022. Frank’s writing style is greatly inspired by Charles Mingus, in that he steers clear of conventional song structures, letting his compositions go where they need to. In his fifteen years in Portland he has anchored the groups Inky Shadows (jazz duo) and The Pariahs (hip hop), and has played bass with Fritzwa, Joe Kye, Jay Si Proof, and Argentine tango group Astillero.