Rob Scheps, saxophonist and ex-Portlander, has a new CD coming out on the JazzCode label. The CD was recorded at in Norway and features a number of originals and standards. At JazzCode’s website, you can check out a video documenting the recording of the disc, as well as some discussion from the group on how they approach jazz and improvisation.

On Thursday, Mel Brown and his B3 band will celebrate their 10-year anniversary at Jimmy Mak’s. Mak’s club was the birthplace of the band which has held a regular gig there since the club’s early days at the old location.

Since their inception, the band has recorded a number of CDs, all of which have been live performances.

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Live at the Britt Festival: This record is a live recording (that the band didn’t know was being made) from the Britt Festival in Jacksonville, Oregon where the B3 band opened for George Benson (whom they dedicated one of their tunes). You can even hear Benson’s bass player cheering them on from offstage. The band on this album includes Dan Balmer on guitar, who took over Faehnle’s spot in the group. Also, Memory has left the horn section, leaving Carranto at the reins.

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The Upper Left Trio, featuring Clay Giberson, Jeff Leonard, and Charlie Doggett, will be hosting a CD release party on Friday (10/19) at Wilf’s.

The Portland-based trio’s third release further establishes them as a group to watch in coming years. With a deep musical connection, the trio explores through-composed lyrical originals letting the mood and intensity develop organically, always with a strong rhythmic foundation. Though referencing rock, pop and R&B influences, Upper Left Trio’s music is still firmly rooted in the jazz of Keith Jarrett, Bill Evans and Chick Corea. From quiet, introspective ballads to their rhythmically romping anthems, they always sound like themselves. “…the music is fresh and simply stated. Being a fan of both E.S.T. and the Bad Plus, I enjoyed unpacking each tune…” -Radioio.

Upper Left Trio Homepage
Origin Records

Info from CDBaby:
Transgression features the jazz guitar duo of Mike Pardew and John Stowell. Throughout this album Pardew plays a steel string guitar while Stowell plays a nylon string guitar on seven of the tracks and a steel string guitar strung a major third lower in pitch on the remaining two songs. Pardew and Stowell met ten years ago as Pardew would attend Stowell’s performances around the Northwest and studied jazz guitar with Stowell. They continue to play together and perform. Thier CD release party was a big success at Vindalho in SE Portland, OR. Keep an eye out for their future performances at Vindalho throughout the rest of 2007.
Buy the album

(Click for full size cover art)

The Matt Weiers Trio (Weiers, pn; Bill Athens, bs; Drew Shoals, d) just released their debut cd, "Spectral." It contains Matt’s original tunes like "Dim Vistas," "Reforming," and "Royal Jelly," which are reminiscent of the pianism of Geri Allen, Andrew Hill, or early Chick Corea in their steady rhythmic drive and unique harmonies. More info at www.mattweiers.com

This Friday (7/6) at Jimmy Mak’s, Chris Mosley will release his newest album on Diatic Records. The CD features Mosley on guitar, Tim Wilcox on saxophone, Bill Athens on bass, and Randy Rollofson on drums. Their quartet will play the first set, starting at 8 PM. Minors are welcome for this set.

During the second set, Ben Darwish will lead a quartet featuring Drew Shoals on drums, John Nastos on saxohpone, and Eric Gruber on bass.

Featuring:
Steve Wilson - saxophones
Bill Frisell - guitar
Adam Rogers - guitar
Joe Locke - vibes
John Patitucci - bass
Brian Blade - drums
Darrell Grant - keyboards, vocals

Recorded 2005 - released May/June 2007

Visit Darrell Grant’s website, or go directly to Origin Arts to buy the CD.