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Darrell Grant and MJ New Quartet
May 12, 2017 // 7:00 pm - 11:00 pm
$15
Spella Caffè Releases Jazzy “MJ BREW” inspired by Darrell Grant’s MJ New Quartet
Reservations necessary, call 503.223.0070.
(Portland, OR) Portland’s Jazz Hero Darrell Grant has teamed up with Portland coffee legend Andrea Spella to produce a special Spella Caffè roast, “MJ BREW,” inspired by Grant’s MJ New Quartet in honor of International Jazz Day, April 30. MJ New’s sophisticated chamber jazz venerates the classic cool of the legendary Modern Jazz Quartet (MJQ). To celebrate International Jazz Day, each sale of MJ BREW benefits PDX Jazz’s The Incredible Journey Of Jazz (IJOJ) education program. Grant will be selling half-pound bags of MJ BREW at his upcoming tour locations paired with his album “Smokin’ Java” for $20, $5 of which will go back to PDX Jazz to support the IJOJ.
Developed in 1999 by Grant and veteran Portland writer and broadcaster Lynn Darroch, IJOJ is a free, 60-minute interactive program designed for students of all ages. It recounts the history of America’s indigenous musical art form. Students learn about jazz from its beginnings in Africa, development in the United States and current role in global culture. PDX Jazz takes IJOJ to more than 1200 students each year.
When Grant first approached jazz-fan, musician, and supporter Spella regarding this project, Grant included a playlist of recordings from MJ New playing original arrangements as well as MJQ classics that showcase the legends’ reputation for genre-defying and seamlessly blending jazz and classical influences. Based on the works “Bach to Brazil,” “Versailles,” “Autumn in New York,” and “A Viennese Affair,” Spella developed a blend of Brazilian, Guatemalan, and secret beans tailored to the music. Some things that colored his approach to this blend included J.S. Bach’s Coffee Cantata, visions of Vienna’s grand coffee houses, Brazil as the classic source of Italians’ espresso beans, and images of Autumn in New York City: “steaming hot little paper cups that have that Greek motif on them and say: ‘We are happy to serve you.’” The result is an enticing mid-range roast.
Read more about the MJ New Quartet at https://www.darrellgrant.com/mj-new-jazz-quartet. Press kit with high-resolution images and bios available http://bit.ly/2nnm88o.
COVER CHARGES apply when Wilfs features live music in our dining room and bar area – Wednesday – Saturday, 7pm.
Quite simply, the cover charge is equity paid directly to the artists that you are enjoying each night at Wilfs. Our new policy includes a $5 charge to all dining in our main dining room. We thank you in advance for your support of insuring equity for all.
When you join us for drinks or dinner and plan on leaving before the 7pm music starts, we won’t ask for a cover charge. That does not mean you can come early and avoid paying the cover – we want to make sure our musicians are paid for their performance. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask your host.