Night School #198: Ron Steen
Tonight on Night School, I am delighted to be joined by Portland’s patron saint of the jam session, Ron Steen. At 15, Ron played drums w/ Etta James at the Cotton Club. At 16, he was sitting in with Billy Larkin at the Upstairs Lounge. At 17, he was hosting his own jam sessions downtown – not an easy feat in 1968 Portland! Suffice to say, the rest is history…
If you live here, Ron Steen is your neighbor. He is one of the most affable, inspired voices in the local jazz community. His 50-year legacy of jazz jams have come to define inclusivity for aspiring musicians, students of jazz, as well as the pros who come out to play. Ron Steen has sessioned on LPs by Johnny Hammond, Joe Henderson, and a litany of national heavyweights. Yet his commitment to creating space for local musicians remains. Please join me this evening as we dedicate an hour of programming to recognize Ron Steen.
- 7:01pm That's A Lie by Billy Larkin & The Delegates on - (-)
- 7:03pm Lover's Lament by Ralph Ventsha & The Red Julian Quartet on - (-)
- 7:11pm Lester's Theme by The Gangsters on - (-)
- 7:14pm All Of Your Life by Shirley Nanette on - (-)
- 7:20pm You Haven't Done Nothing by Carl Smith & The Natural Gas Co. on - (-)
- 7:23pm Get Clean by Everything Is Everything on - (-)
- 7:29pm Cobra by Jeff Lorber Fusion on - (-)
- 7:34pm Mystified (Demo) by Tom Grant on - (-)
- 7:38pm Tune 88 (Demo) by Jeff Lorber Fusion on - (-)
- 7:40pm Song For Now by Ron Steen Trio on - (-)
- 7:54pm Forever Taurus by Johnny Hammond on - (-)