21+ // Free // DJ Booth Upstairs
DJs DNA (Beautiful Music, Tue 4-6pm) and Jason Urick (formerly of Galaxy My Dear) are throwing down at ye olde Dream House for Halloween! There will be a costume contest, VHS vids playing throughout + plenty of italo jams and spooky sound drops.
All Ages // Free to Attend
- 4-6 pm, DJ Theo Craig with Take It To the Bridge!
- 6-8 pm, DJ Nate C (Heavy Metal Sewing Circle) & DJ Primitiva! (Last Schmaltz on the Left)
Join the XRAY crew as the community comes together to work towards our final goal for the Fall Drive!
James Mercer of The Shins sits down with XRAY Board President Lee Shaker on the 20th anniversary of the Chutes Too Narrow album. They discuss the album’s rerelease on Sub Pop just last week, the recording process back in 2003, and a take a moment to play a few of James’s favorite songs 🎶
21+ // DJ Booth Upstairs
Join John B Jones (Hello Cruel World, Thu 3-4pm) & Bob Ham (formerly of Double Bummer) as they join forces for a night of 12" singles on the Wheels of Steel. Guaranteed fun!
Come on down to hear New Wave favorites, Post-Punk, Industrial and more! Dream House is a new 2023 space rising from the ashes (figuratively) from Beech Street Parlor. Great food, drink, vibes, and MUSIC. Plus, it's JBJ's BIRTHDAY!
A Portland music legend in his own right - Dave Depper guest DJs on XRAY Thursday 10/26 from 4-6 PM⚡️
These days, he’s perhaps best known for being the guitarist, keyboardist, and backing vocalist for iconic indie rockers Death Cab for Cutie. In addition to his work with Death Cab, Dave has collaborated live or in the studio with such luminaries as Robyn Hitchcock, Sharon Van Etten, Ray LaMontagne, Fruit Bats, Mirah, Laura Gibson, and countless others.
With Marisa Anderson, Dragging An Ox Through Water & Strange Babes DJs
All Proceeds go to Mississippi Records Fire Recovery
21+ // Doors 6:30pm, Show 7pm
$15 // TICKETS
Last weekend someone threw a flaming projectile into Portland's beloved Mississippi Records. A magical little shop in North Portland, the store is packed to the rafters with an astonishing collection of music and historical artifacts. It is also a gathering space and performance venue for underground musicians and thinkers, an absolutely essential part of our local music culture. Owner Eric Isaacson's unyielding community spirit and kindness give hope in a cruel world. And although thankfully nobody was hurt, the fire damaged stock and broke windows, leaving Eric with bills. We are coming together October 25 at Polaris Hall to help raise money for something truly worth believing in. Quasi, Marisa Anderson, Dragging an Ox Through Water, and Strange Babes are donating their time, and all proceeds from the show (after venue expenses) go to Mississippi Records.
James Mercer of The Shins sits down with XRAY Board President Lee Shaker on the 20th anniversary of the Chutes Too Narrow album. They discuss the album’s rerelease on Sub Pop just last week, the recording process back in 2003, and a take a moment to play a few of James’s favorite songs 🎶
FREE! // All Ages
Featuring a Round Robin of XRAY DJs with their spooooookiest records taking turns on the decks!
21+ | Reserved Seating $49.75 - $59.75, PDX Jazz Members receive $5 off | TICKETS
Doors 7pm, Show 8pm
The last two years may have kept legendary trumpeter Herb Alpert and his Grammy-winning vocalist wife Lani Hall from completing their North American tour, but 2022 has showed the dynamic duo are making up for lost time both creatively and performance wise.
On September 30, 2022, Herb released his latest album, the 11 track Sunny Side of the Street which includes six original compositions and the hit singles – “I’ll Remember You,” Louis Armstrong’s “On the Sunny Side of the Street,” as well as “Tickle Time,” “Here She Comes” and “Pata Pata.”
As Herb toldAmerican Songwriter magazine in a recent interview, “‘Pata Pata” was by Miriam Makeba and when I first heard it I thought it was a really interesting record. Miriam was married to Hugh Masekela who I did an album with. I liked the melody a lot and always had it in the back of my mind that one day I’d love to try to do a version of it.”
Discussing the single “Here She Comes,” Herb noted, “I wanted to do something sexy and upbeat. This track is vibrant, fun and kind of has a bit of that happy TJB flavor.”
Sunny Side of the Street has quickly found an audience, sitting at #7 on the Current Contemporary Jazz Albums chart.
In January 2022, Lani Hall releasedSeasons of Love, her first album in 24 years. Emotionally and thematically, Seasons of Love reflects the depth and breadth of Lani and Herb’s 49 years as marriage partners and artistic collaborators. On the LP, Lani brings her rich life experience, deepened perspective and accrued wisdom to a song cycle that explores the nuances of an enduring relationship. Speaking to the title track of her album from the Broadway musical hit Rent, Lani said, “I love the beautiful message and I love how this song breaks down life in increments.” The album reached the top 10 on the Contemporary Jazz Album chart.
Last September, Herb released, Catch the Wind, which reached#2 on the Billboard Current Contemporary Jazz Album Charts. Herb’s Grammy-winning album and title track Rise, released in 1979, again surged to the top of the 2022 charts, 42 years after it last dominated the airwaves, thanks to the classic soundtrack of the NETFLIX hit film, Spiderhead, starring Chris Hemsworth and Miles Teller.
On October 1, 2020, fans from around the globe tuned in to the virtual premiere of Herb Alpert Is…the official Herb Alpert documentary covering the life and celebrated career of a man who has been an integral part of American culture for over six decades and outsold The Beatles 2-1 in 1966.
The following day, Herb Alpert Is…the box set, featuring 63 classic tunes as well as a comprehensive book of his career was released, selling out the first run within hours.
All Ages | $20 Advance, $25 Day-Of | TICKETS
Big Top, the new-old Lucky Hound Music release from veteran singer-songwriter Michael Fracasso, is the opposite of what’s commonly referred to as a “grower.” Expertly produced by his fellow Austinite Charlie Sexton, who is probably picking guitar alongside Bob Dylan as you read this, Fracasso’s sweetly affecting voice and masterful songcraft have never sounded so vibrant. To say it another way, Big Top features 10 hook-filled gems that simply demand repeat listens.
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– NO DEPRESSION
“BettySoo may well have the most gorgeous voice in Texas …if not in all contemporary folk – its purity and strength can be downright devastating.” – ACOUSTIC GUITAR
“Beautiful, heart-wrenching songwriting that is also edgy and unwavering.” – KUT, Austin
“Exceptionally well written and arranged songs with a confidence that speaks volumes.” – AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN
Featuring Mic Crenshaw, Shabaaz & Homie Tom - Moderated by Julianne R. Johnson
Admission is free | Donations are appreciated | RSVP
All Ages | Doors 6pm, Show 7pm
Save the date for XRAY's Fall Fund Drive!
Fund Drives are very special times at XRAY, because, above all, we believe they should be fun! Rather than spending all that airtime only talking about giving money, we enhance our programming--by covering topics we don't normally, bringing on special guests, putting on live broadcasts, and much more. They're also a great time to get a peek under the hood, hearing from folks that may otherwise not spend much time on air and getting a firsthand look at what's coming next for the station.
Plus, while listeners can become members at any time of year, we bring out the perks during drives. That means limited edition merchandise designed by different local artists, major giveaways every day of the week, new thank you gifts for those becoming members, and the elusive matching gifts that let you double your impact (which our Board of Directors and Staff work extra hard to make happen in the weeks and months leading up to a drive).
Join us in having a blast this drive! Or don't, we're not the boss of you, but we'll keep at it anyway.
21+ | Reserved Seating $34.75 - $39.75, PDX Jazz Members receive $5 off | TICKETS
Doors 7pm, Show 8pm
The Bad Plus are the ultimate originals. A democratic unit with a clear vision and a refusal to conform to convention. For the past two decades they have played with spirit and adventure, made their own rules and done so with a bold sense of creativity and intent. Avoiding easy categorization, The Bad Plus has won critical acclaim and a legion of fans worldwide with their unique sound and flair for live performance.
Now in their 21st year, The Bad Plus continues to push boundaries as founding members Reid Anderson (bass) and Dave King (drums) embark on a new piano-less incarnation of the band with Ben Monder (guitar) and Chris Speed (tenor saxophone) – instigating a new wave of excitement and anticipation within the band that is re-energizing their sound and inspiration. The Bad Plus have constantly searched to bridge genres and techniques while exploring the infinite possibilities of exceptional musicians working in perfect sync.
The Bad Plus is set to release their 15th studio recording and debut self-titled album as a dynamic new quartet via Edition Records on Friday, September 30th. “Evolution is necessary for life and creativity,” say Dave King and Reid Anderson. “We’ve evolved, but we’re still The Bad Plus.”
On the band’s 5th studio release, Connection, Marc Ribot’s Ceramic Dog have pushed their long-brewing tension between traditional pop songcraft and avantgarde improvisational music to the breaking point, bridging their customary genre-agnostic approach with elements of glam boogie, minimalist disco, psychedelic boogaloo, garage-punk-against-the-machine agitprop, and so much more. Recorded at Figure 8 Recording in Brooklyn, NY and mixed by Ben Greenberg (Danny Elfman, Depeche Mode, Lamb of God) the album sees Ribot – whose prodigious, impossible-to-categorize body of work as bandleader and musician spans no wave and jazz, Brazilian and Cuban music, roots and avant-garde and protest songs (often at the same time) alongside legendary collaborations with Tom Waits, Elvis Costello, The Lounge Lizards, John Zorn, Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, Caetano Veloso, and Laurie Anderson (to name but a few) – continuing to utilize Ceramic Dog as the vessel for his distinctive stream-of-consciousness songwriting, penning three out of the album’s four vocal tracks including the groove-infected “Ecstasy” (showcasing Anthony Coleman’s slinky Farfisa and longtime friend and associate Syd Straw behind the mic). From the anthemic manifesto “Soldiers in the Army of Love” to the unhinged ranting of “Heart Attack” and indescribable “No Name,” Ceramic Dog unleash a fury of complex time signatures, blues abstraction, and free-blowing energy to create their most unapologetically audacious collection thus far, their one-of-a-kind daring evidenced by the unlikely cover of Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz’s “That’s Entertainment,” written especially for the 1953 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer musical film The Band Wagon but here, in Ribot and Co’s hands, deconstructs Hollywood cliches while simultaneously winking at both the post-punk and post-Cultural Revolution iterations of the Gang of Four. Fueled by what Ribot calls “several bolts of creative lightning,” Connections stands as a vibrant, odd, and in many ways definitive milestone in what is truly a singular creative journey for Marc Ribot and Ceramic Dog, its zeitgeist-busting sound and vision not only affirming their place in the musical universe but raising the stakes for whatever comes next.
There were also personal ordeals – ghosts from her past to be exorcised, demons in her closet that pushed her to challenging brinks. As the toll of these situations weighed on her, Evensen did what she always did: she sat at her piano, stretched her fingers and began to play.
“It’s always been like that,” smiles the artist. “I remember [as a child] walking to the piano and being able to let something out by playing the keys. It became a therapist and a best friend to me – I always felt better after I played.”
All Ages | Advance $30, PDX Jazz Member $25, VIP $70, Student $20 | TICKETS
Doors 7pm, Show 8pm
GRAMMY® nominated vocal supergroup, säje, releases the second single from their highly anticipated debut album. “(You Are) The Oracle”, featuring vocal virtuoso, Michael Mayo. Music Video and artwork from multidimensional artist Phil Beaudreau.
(Release Date April 14th)
säje is: Sara Gazarek, Amanda Taylor, Johnaye Kendrick, and Erin Bentlage
Featuring: Michael Mayo, voice; Dawn Clement, piano; Ben Williams, bass; Christian Euman, drums
Music and Lyrics by säje. Vocal Arrangement by Amanda Taylor and Erin Bentlage with Johnaye Kendrick/Sara Gazarek. Produced by säje; rhythm section recorded by Pete Min at Lucy’s Meat Market; vocals recorded and edited by Amanda Taylor and Erin Bentlage. Michael Mayo recorded and edited by Michael Mayo. Audio mixed and mastered by Rich Breen. Music video and album art by Phil Beaudreau
“säje is blazing a new trail for female composers and performers in the jazz world.”
— Micah Hendler, Forbes
“…[säje is] taking the vocal jazz ensemble into the 21st century.”
— Abe Beeson, KNKX/NPR
“…transcendent music.”
— DownBeat Magazine
While it may come as a surprise to hear that the newly formed vocal super group, säje (rhymes with beige), received a GRAMMY® nomination for “Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals” for their first original composition “Desert Song”, a John Lennon Songwriting Contest Grand Prize Award for their second composition “Wisteria”, and a Jazz Journalists Association Award nomination for “Best Vocal Group”, those in the know continue to eagerly await the debut album from this transcendent and genre defining group.
It is through their four previously released singles, ardent social media/patreon following, and multiple self produced music videos that this all female compositional/vocal collective has demonstrated their devotion to thoughtful, sophisticated original compositions and heartfelt covers, garnering critical acclaim and fostering a widespread and passionate fanbase.
In their first debut album single (“As This Moment Slips Away” September 13th, 2022) from their self produced debut album, listeners got a sneak peek into the sounds and energy that they can expect from the record itself. In collaboration with three time GRAMMY® winning drummer Terri Lyne Carrington, the single positioned säje as an empowered, genre defining, and socially conscious powerhouse ensemble. surpassing any expectations of what one might typically associate with a vocal collective.
With their second single, there is more to hear than just lush harmonies, powerhouse vocals, complex contrapuntal lines, and symbiosis with their band. There is a deep relationship with the value systems found in purposeful artistic collaborations, an authenticity and connection to shape, texture, interaction, and storytelling. There is a real mastery of craft, not least of which can be heard in the mind blowing improvisations from featured guest vocalist Michael Mayo. With “(You Are) The Oracle” we see that säje is a group to be watched – and that their newest single is only a mouth watering snapshot of what’s to come.
Featuring DJ Klyph (Welcome to the Neighborhood, Sat 8-10pm) DJing for Vursatyl!
21+ | Sliding Scale $20-$30 | TICKETS
Doors 8:30pm, Show 9pm
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TIGER FOX Presents...
⫸URBAN CONNECTION 2.0⫷
We're back for ROUND 2 - Paying homage to hip-hop in a big way with an iconic lineup of music, street art, and breakdancing! Featuring: WORLD RENOWNED LIVE MCs • LEGENDARY TURNTABLISTS • GRAFFITI ARTISTS • B-BOY/B-GIRL/POP & LOCK DANCERS & MORE!
•THE MUSIC•
⫷ THE PHARCYDE ⫸
INSTAGRAM|YOUTUBE | TIKTOK
⫷ VURSATYL ⫸
INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE
⫷ BOOM BAP PROJECT ⫸
INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE
⫷ DJ WICKED ⫸
INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE
•GRAFFITI ARTISTS• •DANCERS & PERFORMERS• •VENDORS•
All Ages | $25 | TICKETS
Doors 7pm, Show 8pm
If you must put him in a box, make sure it’s a big box! Undefinable by genre, crossing over and through folk, rock, singer-songwriter, and kids music, Dan Bern is a captivating live performer with a loyal, multi-generational following. He has written thousands of songs, released dozens of albums, and played shows across North America and Europe–from coffee shops to Carnegie Hall, and he most recently opened for The Who.
Dan’s songs have appeared in numerous films (“Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story” “Get Him to the Greek” “The Bubble” “Zero Effect”) and TV shows (Amazon Prime’s award-winning kids program “The Stinky & Dirty Show”).
A rare, and true renaissance artist, Dan is the author of several books, is a prolific painter, has his own podcast, and internet radio station. During Covid, his online “Hunkered in the Bunker” shows developed their own passionate community of followers. His topical sports songs are regularly featured on “The Tony Kornheiser Show.”
21+ | Advance $37.50, PDX Jazz Member $32.50 | TICKETS
Doors 7pm, Show 8pm
A long-awaited collaboration between GRAMMY-nominated vocalist Gretchen Parlato and acclaimed guitarist Lionel Loueke, Lean In tells the story of 20 years of connection, inspiration and friendship between two musical soulmates.
The very first duo recording from two musicians who have performed together for more than two decades, Lean In is all about healing, deep trust, love and family. In a time when warmth and compassion are needed more than ever before, both artists felt compelled to make a record sharing songs of inspiration, reflection, wonder and unity, with the title encouraging us to ‘lean in’ to ourselves and to those around us.
The intimacy of the duo songs reveals the depth of the trust and connection between the two artists at the core of the music, an intensity that gradually unfolds and blossoms out into a larger, universal whole as they are joined on the record by members of their families: Mark & Marley Guiliana, Lisa Loueke, & close friend Burniss Travis.
Both Gretchen and Lionel are individually renowned for the extraordinary mastery of body and voice in their music enabling them to create intricate, infectious rhythms. Fans will undeniably be excited to hear what happens when these two rhythmic virtuosos come together – the two styles seamlessly intertwined – and the resulting sound is truly magical: soothing yet joyful and full of light with Gretchen’s love for Brazilian music and Lionel’s West African roots shining through – it’s like nothing you’ve ever heard before! Due out May 19, 2023 on Edition Records, this really is a record for the soul.
LIVE opening and closing performances by the hit-makers themselves, The Kingsmen! And 75 live musical acts in between performed by some of Portland's finest, including The Unipiper, Johnny Franco, little hexes, SoRIAH, Mammoth In Space and many, many more… LET'S GO!
Once it starts, it doesn't stop. It's one live performance after another for 24 hours! WHOA, Baby! It's gonna be Wall-to-Wall LOUIE. All LOUIE, All the time. All styles. All genres -- from acapella to Zydeco!
With a surprise in-person guest appearance before the marathon begins.
Live Streaming the entire 24 hours with surprise guests before 11pm on Saturday, October 7.
Don't Miss This Historic Event ('cause it'll never happen again)!!
You GOTTA GO!
