Sept 17, 2014
2014/15 Season features most diverse line-up ever
Bend, OR (September 17, 2014) The Oxford Hotel and G2 Strategic announced the lineup for BendBroadband’s Jazz at the Oxford today, as the popular series launches its fifth anniversary season.
This year’s series line-up features appearances by trumpet legend Randy Brecker, Brazilian guitar virtuoso Diego Figueiredo with acclaimed French singer Cyrille Aimée, former Tower of Power and Santana organist Chester Thompson, who will appear as a special guest with Portland’s Soul Vaccination, and a special bonus show with Mel Brown’s B-3 Organ Group, celebrating the release of their new CD.
The series will launch in October with the return of King Louie’s Portland Blues Review, a special group assembled exclusively for BendBroadband’s Jazz at the Oxford, featuring an amazing lineup of blues singers and musicians, led by Portland organist Louis Pain, and including Andy Stokes, Lisa Mann, LaRhonda Steele, Peter Dammann, Edwin Coleman III, Renato Caranto and special guest Danny Armstrong, an extraordinary trombonist out of San Francisco. The series will also feature the second Oregon Piano Summit, featuring pianists Gordon Lee, Tom Grant, Mac Potts, Ramsey Embick, drummer Mel Brownand Pink Martini bassist Phil Baker.
BendBroadband’s Jazz at the Oxford is a monthly jazz series in the intimacy of Bend’s The OXFORD hotel, featuring three performances on one weekend each month beginning October 24, 2014 and running through March 21, 2015.
Series subscriptions are now available on-line at www.jazzattheoxford.com, in addition to detailed artist and show information. The deadline to purchase series subscriptions is Tuesday, October 21st. Single-show tickets will go on sale Tuesday, October 7th.
“I love the word ‘jazz,’” said Executive Producer Marshall Glickman. “That said, kind of like the New Orleans Jazz Festival, our series features a broad array of musical styles, including bebop, blues, soul, R&B, Latin, fusion and, this year, even boogie woogie.”
“Bend has been incredibly supportive, filling the room all 43 shows through this past season,” continued Glickman. “Several local companies have stepped up, so we now have the resources to bring in even more world-class musicians from places like New York City and Los Angeles. For me, this is a labor of love that I hope will continue far into the future.”
BendBroadband’s Jazz at the Oxford is made possible due to the support of several local companies that are committed to the cultural enrichment of Central Oregon. In addition to BendBroadband, the series is supported by returning sponsors US Bank, Douglas Fine Jewelry Design, Central Oregon Radiology, and InFocus Eye Care, and new sponsors Hughes Law and The Bend Bulletin. In October, the Bulletin will insert the series’ annual event guide.
Sonja Donahue, BendBroadband’s Community Relations and Events Manager, added, “As part of our mission to support arts and culture in Central Oregon, we are very selective in getting behind events that are first-class in every aspect. Jazz at the Oxford has been an ideal match for us.”
The series has entered into a new agreement with Ticket Tomato, the ticketing company that also handles sales and customer service for the Portland Waterfront Blues Festival and well-known Portland jazz club Jimmy Mak’s.
“We want to do everything we can to energize downtown Bend, especially during the winter months, and contribute to the growth of arts and culture in our community” said Ben Perle, Regional Vice-President of the Oxford Inns, Suites & Hotels. “Each year, we have made refinements in an effort to provide the best possible service, ambiance and great food and beverage options. We are very proud to be celebrating the fifth anniversary of BendBroadband’s Jazz at the Oxford.”
2014-15 BendBroadband’s Jazz at the Oxford Line-up October 24, 8pm
October 25, 5pm & 8:15pm
King Louie’s Portland Blues Review III
featuring LaRhonda Steele, Andy Stokes, Lisa Mann and Trombonist Danny Armstrong
Expanded lineup of rousing blues review
formed exclusively for BendBroadband’s Jazz at the Oxford
LaRhonda Steele, Vocals
“What a voice!” (Kurt Johnson, Positively Entertainment)
Andy Stokes, Vocals
“Andy’s heart & soul are worn on his sleeve. His voice and his emotion are powerful forces to be reckoned with.” (Sterling Talent)
Lisa Mann, Bass & Vocals
“Mmmm, mmmm good. It’s like eatin’ crayons. Just real, real colorful music.” (Rob Morrison, Blue Brunch Host, WXWX Memphis)
November 22, 5pm & 8:15pm
November 21, 8pm
TIZER featuring violinist Karen Briggs
2011 “Jazz Group of the Year” nominee from SoCal
“TIZER’s music is pure joy…” (Omaha World Herald)
“TIZER functions on high-octane playing with long improvisational passages and intricately crafted motifs and counterpoint…for excitement, there were plenty of moments of intersecting ideas.” (Jazz Times)
“Karen Briggs is one of the baddest and most entertaining violinists on the music scene.” (The Urban Flux)
“(Karen’s) violin playing is immaculate…” (DCist) ————————–
December 26, 8pm December 27, 5pm & 8:15pm
Oregon Piano Summit II featuring Gordon Lee, Tom Grant, Ramsey Embick and Mac Potts with Phil Baker & Mel Brown
Incredible blending of piano styles and “creative tension”
Gordon Lee, Piano
“World class” (Jazz Times)…”Highly creative music” (Jazz Society of Oregon)…”Music that brims over with life, energy and uplifting passion” (Boston Post-Gazette)
Tom Grant, Piano
“Tom plays with inventiveness, elegance and economy. Certainly one of the best players on the scene” (Jeff Lorber)
Ramsey Embick, Piano
“Ramsey is Portland’s ‘El Jefe’ of Latin-jazz piano. He can conjure up a big city numba riot, a la Eddie Palmieri, unlike any bandleader around” (Tim DuRoche, Oregonian A&E)
Mac Potts, Piano (macpotts.com)
“A veteran blues musician at age 20, (Mac’s) playing can best be described as a wicked red-hot wow factor on his keyboard” (AXS Entertainment)
Phil Baker, Bass
“Baker has made many Northwest musicians sound incredible over the years, and he also composes his own tunes, which makes him a consummate musician, not just a bassist.” (Kyle O’Brien, The Oregonian)
Mel Brown, Drums
“Any recorded output by master drummer Mel Brown is a cause for celebration. If I didn’t know Brown was a Portland native, his churning rhythm ‘n grit grooves could easily be taken for Detroit, Memphis or New Orleans finest fare” (Jazz Review)
December 28, 4pm & 7:30pm
Mel Brown’s B-3 Organ Group CD Release Party
Special Bonus Show (Bend Exclusive)
Return engagement of Mel’s popular R&B band
“The B3 Organ Group is the most talented and lively of all of Brown’ s bands” (Willamette Week)
“If this band played in New York City, they’d be a sensation” (George Benson)
January 16, 8pm
January 17, 5pm & 8:15pm
Trumpet Legend Randy Brecker
featuring the George Colligan Trio with Ada Rovatti & Dan Balmer
Multi-Grammy winner & acclaimed trumpet master
Randy Brecker, Trumpet
“Brecker’ s crisp, clean trumpet sound and decidedly melodic approach combine to offer an entirely delightful music expression that could well serve as a beacon for contemporary jazz” (Los Angeles Times)
“Randy’ s brilliance in ideas and emotive fire are welcoming gifts he has long displayed…” (Herb Wong, Jazz Education Journal)
Ada Rovatti, Saxophone
“Whether burning down the house or persuading earnestly, Rovatti’ s voice is a fresh addition that should garner her much-deserved respect” (All About Jazz)
George Colligan, Piano
“One of the best kept secrets in jazz, pianist George Colligan has developed an intrepid attitude that goes hand-in-hand with a strong sense of identity” (Chris Hoven, All About Jazz)
February 21, 5pm & 8:15pm
February 20, 8pm
Soul Vaccination with B-3 Legend Chester Thompson
Northwest’s Hottest Funk & Soul Band , with ex-Santana & Tower of Power organist
13-pieces on stage will bring the house down
“(Thompson is) one of the most revered Hammond organists alive…” (SF Jazz)
“Folks in the Pacific Northwest are lucky to have a real soul band this fine and exciting” (Frank-John Hadley, Downbeat)
March 21, 5pm & 8:15pm
Diego Figueiredo/Cyrille Aimée Quintet with Randy Porter, John Wiitala & Todd Strait
Brazilian guitar virtuoso & distinctive French singer come together for a special show not to be missed
March 20, 8pm
Diego Figueiredo, Guitar
“One of the greatest guitarists I’ve seen in my whole life” (George Benson)
Cyrille Aimée
“…one of the most promising jazz singers of her generation” (Will Friedwald, The Wall Street Journal)
“Cyrille’ s vocal styling’ s are synonymous with music genius” (All About Jazz)
Performance Times
All performances occur on Fridays from 8:00-10:30pm (30 minute intermission), Saturdays from 5:00-7:20pm (20 minute intermission) and Saturdays from 8:15- 10:45pm (30 minute intermission), with the exception of two performances by Mel Brown’s B-3 Organ Group on Sunday, December 28, at 4:00 and 7:30pm.
Series Subscriptions
Available now at jazzattheoxford.com. Series subscribers receive the following additional benefits:
- 10% discount below the price of single-show tickets ($32.50 savings)
- Advanced ticket selection.
- Choose the best table and show time for you.
- Reserved table seating, up to 10 min prior to show time
- 15% off all food & beverages at 10below Restaurant, including during Jazz performances. 10/01/14 – 03/31/15 excluding alcoholic beverages
- 15% off rooms at the OXFORD hotel, 10/01/14 – 03/31/15, subject to availability – restrictions apply
- Complimentary Valet Parking for the evening of the show you are attending
- Fully transferable – share with a friend!
Series subscriptions will available through Tuesday, October 21st.
Single-Show Sales
Single-show tickets will go on sale Tuesday, October 7th, at jazzattheoxford.com.
BendBroadband’s Music Education at the Oxford
Central Oregon musicians and singers – no matter what style or how long they have played – whether a pro, in a high school band or choir or just beginning to learn their craft — will want to attend the four FREE music education workshops which will be led by the world-class musicians that will perform on the BendBroadband’s Jazz at the Oxford stage.
Saturday, October 25, 11:15am – 1:15pm
Organist Louis Pain, Guitarist Peter Dammann, Drummer Edwin Coleman III & Saxophonist Renato Caranto
Saturday, January 17, 11:15am – 1:15pm Trumpet Legend Randy Brecker
Saturday, February 21, 11:15am – 1:15pm Soul Vaccination Horns
Saturday, March 21 11:15am – 1:15pm Guitarist Diego Figueiredo & Vocalist Cyrille Aimée
All workshops will be held at the OXFORD hotel, 10 NW Minnesota Ave., in downtown Bend
Free parking in adjacent public garage
The Oxford’s 10below restaurant is a great lunch spot, located directly across the hall
About the OXFORD hotel
The OXFORD hotel is Bend’s first and only luxury boutique hotel. Located in the heart of downtown Bend, the seven-story Oxford Hotel features 59 spacious and luxurious executive suites, many with views of the Cascade Mountains. Designed with both the leisure and business traveler in mind, the OXFORD hotel features a variety of amenities and services intended to up the ante on the traditional boutique hotel experience. For more information, visit www.oxfordhotelbend.com.
About G2 Strategic
G2 Strategic provides global sports business solutions to clients worldwide. G2 addresses a broad range of issues and opportunities faced by the sports, entertainment and venue development sectors. G2 was launched in June 2004 in Boston, Massachusetts and is now based in Portland, Oregon. For more information, visit www.g2strategic.net.
Contacts
Artist photography: High-resolution photographs are available. Please contact Roz Stelk at rozs@oxfordsuites.com.
Media contact:
Marshall Glickman
CEO
G2 Strategic
857.991.9361
marshall@g2strategic.net