What Makes the St. Johns Neighborhood Special – Part 1 – Cathedral Park Jazz Festival

Hello Clients and Friends!

I love any opportunity to gush about St. Johns, the neighborhood I’ve lived for 11 years. Often times I’m gushing to my lovely clients as we look at houses, but I’ll gush to anyone who wants to listen because I love Portland, but I really love St. Johns. So, I thought it might be nice to do a small blog series to share all of the things I love with everyone out there!

This is my first St. Johns blog and I’m dedicating it to this year’s 43rd Annual Cathedral Park Jazz Festival! Come check it out July 14th-16th.

If you’re a music lover, this should be a no-brainer and I highly recommend checking it out 🙂 And, if you’re not a music lover but you love a beautiful park full of people relaxing together, with food vendors all set in a beautiful park under Portland’s favorite bridge, this is a great event for you! This annual event has been a regular highlight of the neighborhood’s calendar for 43 years and this year’s lineup promises to be better than ever and includes one of my local favorites, Ural Thomas and The Pain! The whole lineup is great and includes established jazz legends as well as up-and-coming local talent. HERE is a link to the Jazz Society Oregon for more information.

Festival Line Up

FRIDAY, July 14, 2023

4:30-5:30pm — Mary Flower
Singer, songwriter, guitarist Mary Flower, is considered a world-class finger-style guitarist and lap slide player. In addition to performing at folk festivals around the world, she is a dedicated guitar teacher, hosting the annual “Blues in the Gorge” intensive for 10 years. With 13 CDs to her name she has been awarded seven Muddy awards for Acoustic Guitar, was twice a finalist in the International Fingerstyle Guitar Championship and nominated three times for the Blues Music Award.

6:00-7:00pm — Terry Robb Trio
With drummer Gary Hobbs, bassist Dave Captein, and virtuoso blues guitarist Terry Robb, who is also a composer, singer, and producer. Robb has released 15 albums and has toured with Buddy Guy, Steve Miller, Robin Trower, and John Fahey; Captein has performed with Larry Coryell, Mose Allison, Wynton Marsalis and Tom Grant; Hobbs has played with the Stan Kenton Orchestera, Bud Shank, Anita O’Day, and the Woody Herman Orchestra.

7:30-8:30pm — The Gold Experience
Gold Experience, a collaboration of veteran blues, soul, gospel, hip-hop, and jazz musicians, backing up artists, such as Buddy Guy, BB King, Pleasure, the Neville Brothers, Sting, Aretha Franklin, and others.

9:00-10:00pm — Curtis Salgado Band
Award-winning blues, blues rock and soul blues vocalist, instrumentalist and songwriter Curtis Salgado was the inspiration for John Belushi’s Blues Brothers. He has 10 albums to his name and performs here with his band.

SATURDAY, July 15, 2023

1:00-2:00pm — The 1905 Orchestra
The 1905 Orchestra blends both classic jazz and contemporary big band music.

2:30-3:30pm — Dmitri Matheny Group “West Coast Cool”
Dmitri Matheny Group, “West Coast Cool”, will play from the Chet Baker songbook. A protegee of Art Farmer, flugelhornist Matheny has also been compared to Miles Davis and Chet Baker. He is accompanied by vocalists Zach Connolly and Holly Pyle.

4:00-5:00pm — Shoehorn’s Hatband
Shoehorn’s Hatband is an unusual jazz quartet led by tap-dancing saxophonist Michael Conley aka Shoehorn, who dances while he plays.

5:30-6:30pm — Chuchito Valdes Trio
Chuchito Valdés – Cuban-born pianist, arranger, composer, and bandleader Valdes has performed for large audiences in South America, Europe, and the U.S. He is a master of Cuban music (mambo, danzon, timba/salsa, and guaguanco) with a passion for American jazz and classical music.

7:00-8:00pm — 3 Leg Torso
3 Leg Torso – Originally a trio, now a quintet with an original, eclectic sound, 3 Leg Torso has released six CDs and composed music for films, TV and symphony orchestras. Calling themselves “modern chamber pop music”, the group’s music is influenced by tango, Eastern European folk music, other world music, chamber music, and rock and roll. Béla Balogh (violin, trumpet, piano, octave mandolin), Courtney Von Drehle (accordion, tenor sax, slide guitar), T.J. Arkko (percussion), and Bill Athens (double bass).

8:30-9:45pm — Ural Thomas and The Pain
Ural Thomas and the Pain – Thomas topped the soul charts in the 1960s and was brought back to the live music scene by a group of young Portland musicians. A showcase for vintage soul and funk, this group always gets the audience dancing.
 

SUNDAY, July 16, 2023

1:00-2:00pm — Portland Vanguard Big Band
Portland Vanguard Big Band members combine Portland Youth Jazz Orchestra alumni, professionals, band directors, college students and top high school musicians. They will play big band music from all eras.

2:30-3:30pm — Jesse Marquez
Latin jazz vocalist Jesse Marquez blends Cuban, Brazilian, jazz and pop sounds with lush harmonies. She recorded in Havana with members of the Afro Cuban All-Stars.

4:00-5:00pm — Brian Charette Organ Trio
New York-based organist and composer Brian Charette will be accompanied by Portland’s own Mel Brown on drums and Pink Martini’s Dan Faehnle on guitar. The trio will take us on a tour of jazz organ history.

5:30-6:30pm — Yak Attack
Yak Attack is a live electronica power trio, drawing on a wide spectrum of electronica along with elements of jam, funk, and jazz.

7:00-8:15pm — Jr Soul Masters of Funk Pleasure Tribute
Jr Soul Masters of Funk is an 11-piece band, including some original members of the iconic 1970’s group Pleasure, in a tribute that blends soul, funk, and jazz.

The history of the Cathedral Park Jazz Festival is as rich and diverse as the music itself. What started as a small gathering in a local park has grown into a beloved community event that draws jazz enthusiasts from all over the region. The festival has always had a focus on celebrating local talent, which has helped to create a strong sense of community around the event.
One of the things I love about the Cathedral Park Jazz Festival is the way it brings people together. You’ll see families with kids, couples on a date, and groups of friends all enjoying the music and the atmosphere. It’s a great way to experience the diversity and vibrancy of the St. Johns neighborhood and to connect with others who share your love of jazz. Plus, it’s all set on a grassy hill under the most beautiful of bridges, the St. Johns Bridge.

So mark your calendars and plan to attend the 2023 Cathedral Park Jazz Festival in St. Johns! Whether you’re a longtime jazz fan or simply looking for a fun way to spend a summer weekend, you won’t be disappointed. With its rich history and talented performers, this festival is a testament to the power of music to bring people together and create unforgettable experiences.

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