StudioBlue Productions

It’s hard to choose which musician deserves your weekend attention in this town so jam-packed with great musicians.

Tomorrow, based on what I would see if I could split myself into many parts, I would visit The 1905 to see Calysta Cheyenne, Ardiri Vineyards to see Jc Clark on bass with me on keyboards, and Le Coupe Champagne Bar and Bottle Shoppe. Private Events. There you’ll see Shelly Rudolph and Dan Gildea along with Yvonne Troutman who may be loosening her Moulin Rouge Party! Corset because the food and wine will be plentiful.

Common themes: Jazz, grooviness, original music, fun, and community.

Whatever you do, do THAT.

I'm doing surveys over the next few weeks and would love your participation. The opinions I'm gathering will help shape conversations with venues in PDX that offer music to help the best venues build their brand and to give other venues with potential some inspiration and tools to strengthen their live music offering.

This is an independent initiative at the moment. I'll let you know here if I expand this into economic development driven by non-profits or state/municipal entities.

Enjoy this initial survey! Drop me a note with questions or suggestions!

Smartsheet Forms

Here's a definition of hypocrite:

Pianist/engineer: "I think everyone should take a photo of the people involved with every gig and every session. It builds pride and you can share it with people who care."

Paul: "Oops, forgot to get a photo."

This is after the wonderful Donna Anfield Jones and Paul Stewart left after laying down three groovy songs in the studio.

Ah well. Paul left little Reese's style peanut butter cups. I will drown my sorrow and vow to not be a hyprocrite nearly as often -- no more than once a week. Plus or minus.

Photo by Angela.

She approved this outfit. It's the gigging pianist's version of the Batman outfit. (The utility belt's role is being played by the red ink pen.)

Just got this news! Proud to be an alum (and former alumni director) of TRIUM. Hardest and most gratifying thing I've done.

"Today, the Financial Times has published its annual EMBA rankings, in which the TRIUM Global Executive MBA has been ranked at #5 overall.

"We are very proud of our pioneering alliance and of the many ways in which our alumni community has used the knowledge gained in the TRIUM classroom to transform themselves, their businesses, and their communities.

"TRIUM continues to set the standard as the #1 program for both Work Experience and International Course Experience. Our students are among the most experienced and globally connected executives, bringing unparalleled depth and diversity to the classroom. With immersive modules across multiple continents and partner institutions like HEC Paris, LSE, and NYU Stern, TRIUM is the only truly global EMBA, offering a transformative experience that goes beyond borders."

Pictured below is a TRIUM alumni dinner in Washington DC, as part of a big alumni weekend I helped to organize. Couldn't have done it without help from fellow alumni and especially from Angela.

Scandals, Wednesday, 6pm to 8pm. Jazz, originals.

If you want some joyous vibes, this will be the place and time.

With Calysta Cheyenne.

I've been busy with studio stuff and with preparing for my ridiculously sold-out show with Shelly Rudolph (she'll be at the AC Hotel in Vancouver next Saturday with the incomparable Dan Gildea).

And during that time, I had a wonderful gig with Calysta at NASO, also to a very full house, including longtime fans and friends of hers who drove up to NASO from Eugene-of-all-places to charm us right back. Here are two fabulous photos he shared with Calysta which, because I was busy (see above) I am ONLY JUST NOW SEEING! (Thank you for the heads-up, Calysta Cheyenne!)

As Matt Damon once said, "How about them apples?"

I've noticed an old promo floating around that said our downbeat is 6:30pm. Instead, our downbeat is 7pm.

Which should not be interpreted as saying you need to wait to show up at Le Coupe. It's going to be delicious (with crepes!), beautiful (with gorgeous weather on the sidewalk cafe and inside!), and fun!

We'll be there setting up and happy to see you there!

The wonderful sax player and educator, Ron Kearns, just sent me his newest book -- I got it today, Ron! -- and I'm excited to dig into it to shape some educational programming and initiatives I'm working on here in Portland.

Ron is a Grammy(tm) winner for its educational award (twice), Down Beat Excellence in Jazz Education Award (Jazz Achievement 2005), 50 Most Influential Directors (2002).

If I were a sax player, I could tell you his preferred sax and mouthpiece brands. Alas, I am just a piano player.

This lady.

Put this show on your calendar.