Farewell Show with Owen Broder

Sat, Jun 14

TICKETS $25 | ALL AGES Help give saxophonist and composer Owen Broder a memorable sendoff as he takes the stage for his final performance as a bandleader in Portland before relocating to the East Coast to begin his next chapter in Washington, D.C. Since arriving in Portland in 2021, Broder has become a central figure in the city’s jazz and music education scenes, making a lasting impact across a wide range of institutions and ensembles in just four years. He served as Director of Jazz at Reed College, taught core jazz courses at Portland State University, and played a key role in developing the jazz curriculum while offering saxophone instruction at Pacific University. He also led the Jazz Ensemble at the Metropolitan Youth Symphony and has been a vital contributor to the Portland Jazz Composers Ensemble (PJCE), where he continues to serve on the board, write commissioned works, and perform regularly—helping to strengthen Portland’s vibrant creative music community. Broder has been especially dedicated to mentoring the next generation of Portland jazz musicians by fostering connections among students across institutions and creating professional opportunities that bridge the gap between classroom and bandstand. Beyond his work in Portland, Broder is a GRAMMY®-nominated artist through his performances with the Anat Cohen Tentet and has regularly collaborated with ensembles such as the Gil Evans Project and YouTube sensation Postmodern Jukebox. He has released several acclaimed recordings as a bandleader and was named a Rising Star Alto Saxophonist in DownBeat Magazine's Critics Polls in 2023 and 2024. As a composer, Broder has received commissions from the Airmen of Note, off-Broadway musicals, the International Society of Jazz Arrangers and Composers, and the internationally renowned woodwind quintet WindSync. This farewell concert will feature Broder’s jazz quartet in an evening of original compositions and reimagined standards, showcasing the depth and versatility of his musical voice. He will be joined by Portland luminaries Darrell Grant (piano), Bill Athens (bass), and Christopher Brown III (drums). The performance is both a celebration of his time in Portland and a heartfelt thank-you to the community that has supported and inspired him along the way.