what’s New
New Performance Projects:
The Blue Note Project
“Latin/Jazz”
Up Coming Performances
Monday, April 6 @JoBar 715 NW 23rd Ave. 7:00-10:00pm (no cover-reservations suggested)
My newest project grew out of the Monday night Blue Note sessions at the JoBar in NW Portland. I decided to make the theme that night “Latin/Jazz,” featuring selections from a Blue Note compilation highlighting the label’s Latin side. I was thrilled to present Latin-tinged music by some of my favorite Blue Note artists, including Horace Silver, Dexter Gordon, Joe Henderson, Lee Morgan, Tommy Flanigan, and Woody Shaw.
I assembled some of my favorite Portland musicians: pianist Devin Sanders, who plays with me in the salsa band Palante (led by Carmelo Torres, Bobby Torres’s son) as well as in my Latin group Picante. Devin is an incredibly talented musician — his Latin and jazz chops are top-notch and his montuno grooves set the band on fire. The rest of the band is stellar: Adam Carlson on drums, Dan Presley on bass, Catarina New on sax, and myself on trumpet and flugelhorn.
I always look forward to playing up front with saxophonist Catarina New. Catarina and I have worked together for over 12 years in a variety of musical settings. After so many gigs together, a real bond and synchronicity develops — that’s what makes the music come alive. It’s not just another gig; it’s a deeper, magical experience. That’s why we play music.
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I love having John Gilmore work with me. He knows how to play the room and keep the audience engaged. He also loves sharing tidbits of info on the music he sings. Audiences love John! You are in for a treat. And No Cover charge!!
If you are not familiar with his music, here is a little background in his own words which will give you an idea where he is coming from.
“I am a vocalist and pianist whose musical career spans almost 50 years. Originally from Los Angeles, I come from a musical family, my father having been a record producer and Vice President of Capitol Records and my mother, a big-band vocalist. While majoring in music at UCLA, I won First Prize in the Frank Sinatra Awards, Pop Vocal category. I worked in the Los Angeles area from 1974 through 1991 as an entertainer and band leader at such venues as The Beverly Hills Hotel, The Beverly Wilshire Hotel, The Hotel Bel-Air and many others. As a solo act, I appeared at the world-renowned Jimmy's Restaurant in Beverly Hills, a six-year engagement where I performed regularly for such notable customers as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Stevie Wonder, Cher, Natalie Cole and many others. From 1991 through 1995 I starred in a television commercial for Henry Weinhard beer, playing the character “Tex Velvet.”
Since moving to Portland in 1992, I have performed solo and in group settings at such venues as the Benson Hotel, Portland City Grill, Wilf's Restaurant and Jazz Bar, the Oswego Lake House, Arrivederci, Tony Starlight's Supperclub and Lounge, the Allison Inn, the Riverview Restaurant and at numerous social events and corporate functions throughout the Portland area. My debut CD, “For My Father & Frank,” is a tribute to Frank Sinatra and my dad, Voyle Gilmore, who was Sinatra's record producer from 1953 to 1958.The Frank Sinatra Songbook is of special importance to me, given my father's close association with the legendary vocalist. I perform Sinatra's famous favorites with special attention to and great respect for his unique swinging style and marvelous ballad interpretation. I also specialize in the performance of music from great American composers like Cole Porter, George Gershwin, Hoagy Carmichael, Harold Arlen, Frank Loesser, Johnny Mercer and a host of other prominent songsmiths. In addition, I sing selections in French and perform my own special arrangements of classic tunes by the Beatles. Songs made famous by the great Nat King Cole and Tony Bennett round out my repertoire.”
The upcoming performance will be at the Corkscrew Wine Bar 1665 SE Bybee Blvd. in the Sellwood neighborhood.
8:00-10:00pm
No Cover