Wilfs Restaurant

Singer/Songwriter Lauren Kinhan comes to Wilfs for two shows at 7:30PM and 9:30PM on Friday, July 30th! Accompanying Kinhan for this performance is Peter Eldridge on piano, and Portlanders Todd Strait on drums, Scott Steed on bass and Rob Davis on saxophone.

Lauren Kinhan has been creating genre-merging music for years as evidenced in her latest collection of songs. Avalon is another fine example of how she comfortably bridges the jazz and adult alternative worlds. The last 18 years of her career have taken her all over the world and allowed her to work with some of the industry’s great artists. Parenthood influenced the album’s thematic depth and provided a beautiful filter in which to experience this growing repertoire. Avalon speaks elegantly to solitude, love, life, loss and JOY!

With a cool New York vocal vibe … she keeps you interested and in the pocket because she has the chops and she remembers what it is to entertain. In case you ever wondered just where the line is that divides art and artsy, this set will show you how to plant a flag firmly on the art side. Well done. – Chris Spector, Midwest Record

Legendary Phil Ramone describes Lauren as a true songstress, “She is musical, lyrical, and really delivers vocally.” Phil produced Lauren’s debut release, Hardly Blinking, in 2000. Avalon is a good look at some of the mile markers since then. Her versatility in singing and contributing original music is evidenced in her years with New York Voices, and co-founding Moss and JaLaLa. Moss, made up of Luciana Souza, Kate McGarry, Theo Bleckmann, Peter Eldridge and Lauren, released their self titled CD in 2008 to rave reviews. In 2010, it was included in DownBeat’s Best CDs of the 2000s. JaLaLa is short for Janis Siegel, Laurel Massé and Lauren, and they released their tribute to Johnny Mercer, That Old Mercer Magic, in 2009. “Spring, Spring, Spring” was selected from their CD to be on the soundtrack of Clint Eastwood’s documentary of Mercer titled, The Dream’s on Me.

Learn more at Lauren Kinhan’s website.

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On Wednesday, July 28th, Wilfs welcomes New York’s own Cheryl Hodge to Portland for one very special performance accompanied by Ron Steen on drums and Scott Steed on bass.

“Feel the expression and emotion pouring out, as she delivers…” – RadioIndy.com

With over twenty years of playing with the finest jazz musicians in the U.S. & Canada, Cheryl Hodge has certainly made her mark. She’s has been the “featured artist of the month” (Nov. ‘09) on COAST To COAST AM with George Noory, with spotlight on the latest cut “That’s Why I’m Here”, from faculty album, “SOUVENIR”. Winner of the GRINDIE Award from RadioIndy.com; Cheryl continues to be a headliner and adjudicator at several jazz festivals, including the Envision Jazz Fest (the largest educational jazz festival in Canada), and the internationally acclaimed Kaslo Jazz Fest, in 2010.

She has been a top ten artist in jazz charts for ‘09 with songs: “Indigo” and “Guide to Recovery”, “Give In”, “Do You”, and “Adios” from ‘09 Indigo Album. Hodge is a gifted pianist and isn’t afraid to visit the outer stretches of “scatting” (vocal jazz improvisation); yet loves singing Blues and R&B (think Etta James).

Call 503-223-0070 for reservations, and visit cherylhodge.com to learn more and listen to samples of Hodge’s evocative music.

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Kate Davis will be performing two shows on Saturday, June 26 — at 7:30PM and 9:30PM. This will be the first time that she has ever played with legendary guitarist Dan Balmer, and over a year since she played with pianist Dan Gaynor. This classic trio configuration lends itself nicely to Kate’s new repertoire. Note that each show must be reserved at 503-223-0070 to ensure a seat.

UPDATE! Friday, July 2 will now feature just one show at 7:30PM at Wilfs with David Goldblatt on piano, and Gary Hobbs on drums. This will be another excellent combo, and once again reservations are required.

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Kate Davis was selected as one of 20 2009 Presidential Scholars in the Arts, and this is her performance at the Kennedy Center in June of 2009. She is accompanied by NFAA Silver Winners Emmet Cohen (piano) and Mark Whitfield Jr. (drums). The single “Glad To Be Unhappy” is now available as an exclusive single on iTunes. Kate performs tonight (Friday, May 21st at 8PM) with David Goldbatt and Todd Strait

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Please Join us on Saturday, May 1st for an Evening of Music with Susannah Mars and Friends, a special concert to benefit the Arthritis Foundation’s Camp JAM (Juvenile Arthritis Matters!)

Performing live with Susannah Mars is an incredible roster of vocalists from the Portland music scene, including Valerie Day, Rebecca Kilgore, Darrell Grant, the Portland Gay Men’s Choir, Gary Cash, Gavin Gregory, Laurie Campbell-Leslie, and Pam Mahon.

Advanced Reserve Seats are available for a $35.00 donation, with General Seating available for a $20.00 donation. For more information or to reserve your seats, please contact Janet Lamb at 503-245-5695 or 1-888-845-5695, or email at jlamb@arthritis.org

Camp JAM (Juvenile Arthritis Matters)

Camp JAM is a free weekend camp for children of all ages with juvenile arthritis and their families. Children with juvenile arthritis face the daily challenges of their disease where one day they feel good and then achy the next day. This can be an isolating experience for children at school when they have to sit out of physical activities because of their arthritis.

Learn more at the Arthritis Foundation website.

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On Thursday, April 29th don’t miss the first installment of Jazz Railways: Last Thursdays at Wilf’s, featuring Black & Blue with Devin Phillips.

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Please join us at Wilfs on Friday, April 30th at 8PM for the jazz artistry of the Tony Pacini Trio

Born in Tokyo, Japan pianist Tony Pacini came to Portland, Oregon as an infant. A piano student since age 5, Tony led his first trio as a teenager, holding down weekends at a popular jazz spot. The piano made higher education possible for Tony, including study at Boston’s Berklee College Of Music, courtesy of a Leonard Feather scholarship. Once back in Portland, Tony immersed himself in the jazz scene performing with, most notably: Leroy Vinnegar, Bud Shank, Harry Allen, Ritchie Cole, Chuck Israels, Dan Faehnle, Mary Stallings, Hadley Calliman, Mel Brown, Ron Steen, Nancy King and Rebecca Kilgore. Tony’s playing won him the piano chair in guitarist Dan Faehnle’s Quartet, joining bassist Ed Bennett and drummer Mel Brown. After several years of working together, Tony and Ed enlisted drummer Tim Rap, and their shared musical vision was realized with the creation of the Tony Pacini Trio. 

Tim Rap credits Billy Higgins’ philosophy – to play what the music calls for, no more no less, with shaping his thoughtful approach to the role of the drums in jazz. Tim’s exceptional talent caught the ear of guitarist John Stowell, leading to performances with world class vocalists Nancy King, Shirley Nanette and jazz guitar icon Herb Ellis. 

Long considered one of the West coast’s first rate string bass players, Ed Bennet stepped onto the world stage in the 1970’s, touring with jazz great Carmen McRae. Three recordings were produced during Ed’s work with Carmen most notably the Grammy nominated “Live At The Great American Music Hall” on Blue Note Records, which also featured Joey Baron, Marshall Otwell and jazz giant Dizzy Gillespie.

Learn more at: www.tonypacini.com

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Join us Saturday, April 17th for a special CD Release Party for Bill Beach & Brasil Beat. The band is releasing their new recording, “Brasil Beat” on Axial Records. Featuring Bill Beach on piano and vocals, Dave Captein on bass, and Gary Hobbs on drums, Bill Beach & Brasil Beat play and sing (in portuguese) Brazilian Jazz, Bossa Nova, Samba and MPB. The music of Antonio Carlos Jobim, Edu Lobo, Milton Nascimento, Baden Powell, Carlos Lyra and many more! Also some great American Jazz & Blues!

“Conveys a pure essence of piano jazz that is sweet, lovely and irresistable. His solos emerge in a crisp lyricism that is engaged, resonant and consistently brilliant.” –Rebecca Webb, KINK radio

In a performing career that spans more that 25 years Bill Beach has performed with many jazz legends including Joe Henderson, Bobby Hutcherson, Eddie Harris, Howard Roberts, Mark Murphy, Charlie Rouse, Frank Morgan, Jimmy Cobb and Nat Adderley. He has studied withMarian McPartland, Jack DeJohnette and Warren Bernhardt. Bill has performed in Japan, Mexico, England, Holland and Belgium. His CD, Letting Go was releaseed in November of 2004.

Learn more at Bill’s website: www.billbeach.com

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This is no joke! Please join us on Thursday, April 1st for April Fools – A Cabaret Featuring vocalists Susannah Mars and Rebecca Kilgore.

Two of Portland’s favorite musical artists team up to address themes of love and friendship and April Fools fun in a flurry of dynamite duets. Stage actor, vocalist, comedienne Susannah Mars and jazz vocalist Rebecca Kilgore will be accompanied by Bill Wells on piano.

Vocal duets will include some more familiar pieces, like “Two Lost Souls” from Damn Yankees, and some more obscure ones like “Love Is When” by Alec Wilder. Both singers will also do short feature sets. Don’t miss these Northwest favorites together for the second time.

Learn more at RebeccaKilgore.com and SusannahMars.com

$15  Cover | Call now for reservations: 503.223.0070

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