Discover the Legacy. Experience the Revival.
Colwood Golf Course
Portland, OR
Saturday, August 3, 2019
The #VanportJazzFestival honors the city of Vanport
and the voices that formed our jazz community.
We intend to transform Colwood Golf Course into a cultural revival, welcoming internationally renowned artists and breathing new life into Portland jazz.
2019 Featured Artists
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Pianist, composer and producer Jeff Lorber has been a major innovator on the creative music scene for over three decades. Along with maestros Herbie Hancock, Joe Sample and Bob James, Lorber is a groundbreaking Fender Rhodes pioneer. Having produced for everyone from Dave Koz to Kenny G, the Grammy nominated pianist’s long running acclaimed ensemble, Jeff Lorber Fusion, was a major force in contemporary jazz’s early beginnings.
Everette Harp’s soulful and trademark blend of jazz, R&B, funk and pop have made him a favorite among fans, fellow musicians and critics alike. Harp’s impressive career that has allowed him to collaborate with everyone from Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan, Anita Baker, Luther Vandross and Patti Labelle to George Duke, Herbie Hancock, Billy Joel and Kenny Loggins.
Paul Jackson, Jr. is regarded as one of the most recorded guitarists in the world. He has seven previous successful albums, containing several top ten releases to include Grammy nominated “I Came to Play”.
Euge Groove
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Euge Groove
Fear and creativity can not live in the same room, declares free-spirited and consummate chart-topping saxophonist, composer, producer and radio host Euge Groove. The highly sought after musical chameleon has been called upon for his musical prowess by everyone from Rock `N' Roll Hall of Famer Tina Turner and balladeer Luther Vandross to UK Blues Rocker Joe Cocker, Richard Marx, Tower of Power and Huey Lewis and the News, among countless others. A road warrior, Euge Groove stays at the top of his game by maintaining a busy touring schedule. I love live performance, which is probably pretty obvious to anyone that has seen me live, shares the charismatic saxman. On a sonic level, I try to capture the space of a live performance when I record. Instead of going for a really dry soundstage, I try to envision what the sound would be if it was playing on a theater or small venue stage.
Andy Stokes
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Andy Stokes
Active since the early '80s Andy Stokes is a soul-rooted R&B songwriter and vocalist whose powerful but composed style recall the Gap Band’s Charlie Wilson and Enchantment’s Emanuel Johnson. The Portland, Oregon native got his start in 1983, when he joined Cool’r formed by ex-members of Pleasure. The band released the independent Let's Talk About It (1986) and the A&M-issued follow-up Cool’r (1989). During this period, Stokes was among the vocalists for the Claymation retro-R&B act the California Raisins. Once Cool’r split, Stokes went solo, first with the single "Test of Time" (1993) and then with the album About Time (1995). He recorded infrequently during the 2000s, most notably for Let the Good Times Roll: A NW Tribute to Ray Charles, but was active throughout as a performer. Toward the end of the decade, he added a number of regional music awards and acknowledgments to his résumé when he was inducted into the Oregon Music Hall of Fame. Stokes continued his solo output with the Full Circle EP (2016) and Now EP (2018), the latter including the single "Best Day Ever." The EP features production and collaborations with some of the music industry’s best, including BMI award winner PK, multi-platinum songwriter Eric Dawkins, super-producer DJ Battlecat and the legendary Snoop Dogg— just to name a few.
Eric Darius
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Eric Darius
Eric Darius was born in Livingston, New Jersey, raised in Tampa, Florida, and now resides in Los Angeles, CA. He grew up in a very musical family to a Haitian father, who is a bass player and Jamaican mother, who is a singer and piano player. That Caribbean influence was passed down to Eric and his siblings. His older brother is a drummer and trumpet player, and his sister sings and plays clarinet.
“I first fell in love with the saxophone as a 9-year-old and began playing at the age of 10,” Eric recalls. “By the time I was 11, I started touring worldwide with Sonny LaRosa and America’s Youngest Jazz Band and playing Caribbean music in our family band. It’s truly a blessing to be from a family that not only supports my passion for music but has also given me so many opportunities to nurture my God-given gift and pursue a career in it.”
While growing up, Darius was also influenced by Earth Wind & Fire, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, George Benson, David Sanborn, Miles Davis, Bob Marley, and Grover Washington Jr., among many others. While still in high school, at the age of 17, he recorded and released his first album titled, Cruisin’, which would lay the ground work for his seven full-length albums.
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Althea Rene was born December 25th in Detroit, Michigan and began her musical journey at the tender age four. She studied classical music while attending Howard University in Washington D.C. and later gained further musical inspiration from the accomplishments of Yusef Lateef, Ian Anderson, and her father, one of Motown's original Funk Brothers, Dezie McCullers. She has since developed her own creative style, and has toured the world, playing at most of the major jazz festivals. Althea Rene made history by becoming the first flute player in the history of Billboard Chart to reach the number one spot.
Jeanette Harris a Berklee College of Music graduate Jeanette Harris is the new female saxophonist who is making big strives. Her CD "Summer Rain" made it all the way to #4 on the Smooth Jazz Billboard Chart and #1 on the Smooth Jazz Indie Chart! Jeanette's new CD Chocolate Vibez is her best work yet, showcasing not only her amazing sax skills but also her song writing and producing skills as well. Jeanette toured with the late Teena Marie, Recorded with guitarist Norman Brown (who is featured on her 2011 release "Saxified"), Wrote for Gerald Albright. Now with her Fifth and finest CD "Chocolate Vibez" bowing with her own signature Chocolate Vibez perfume to match, Jeanette Harris is unquestionably the next "Starchild of the Saxophone".
WAR
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WAR
War (originally called Eric Burdon and War) is an American funk band from Long Beach, California. They are known for several hit songs (including “Spill the Wine”, "The World Is a Ghetto”, The Cisco Kid, “Why Can’t We Be Friend?’, Low Rider, and “Summer”). Formed in 1969, War is a musical crossover band which fuses elements of rock, funk, jazz, Latin, R & B and Reggae. Their album The World Is a Ghetto was the best-selling album of 1973. The band transcended racial and cultural barriers with a multi-ethnic line-up. War was subject to many line-up changes over the course of its formation, leaving member Leroy “Lonnie” Jordan as the only original member in the current line-up; four other members created a new group called the Lowrider Band.
Eric Darius
Eric Darius was born in Livingston, New Jersey, raised in Tampa, Florida, and now resides in Los Angeles, CA. He grew up in a very musical family to a Haitian father, who is a bass player and Jamaican mother, who is a singer and piano player. That Caribbean influence was passed down to Eric and his siblings. His older brother is a drummer and trumpet player, and his sister sings and plays clarinet.
“I first fell in love with the saxophone as a 9-year-old and began playing at the age of 10,” Eric recalls. “By the time I was 11, I started touring worldwide with Sonny LaRosa and America’s Youngest Jazz Band and playing Caribbean music in our family band. It’s truly a blessing to be from a family that not only supports my passion for music but has also given me so many opportunities to nurture my God-given gift and pursue a career in it.”
While growing up, Darius was also influenced by Earth Wind & Fire, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, George Benson, David Sanborn, Miles Davis, Bob Marley, and Grover Washington Jr., among many others. While still in high school, at the age of 17, he recorded and released his first album titled, Cruisin’, which would lay the ground work for his seven full-length albums.
E
Andy Stokes
Active since the early '80s Andy Stokes is a soul-rooted R&B songwriter and vocalist whose powerful but composed style recall the Gap Band’s Charlie Wilson and Enchantment’s Emanuel Johnson. The Portland, Oregon native got his start in 1983, when he joined Cool’r formed by ex-members of Pleasure. The band released the independent Let's Talk About It (1986) and the A&M-issued follow-up Cool’r (1989). During this period, Stokes was among the vocalists for the Claymation retro-R&B act the California Raisins. Once Cool’r split, Stokes went solo, first with the single "Test of Time" (1993) and then with the album About Time (1995). He recorded infrequently during the 2000s, most notably for Let the Good Times Roll: A NW Tribute to Ray Charles, but was active throughout as a performer. Toward the end of the decade, he added a number of regional music awards and acknowledgments to his résumé when he was inducted into the Oregon Music Hall of Fame. Stokes continued his solo output with the Full Circle EP (2016) and Now EP (2018), the latter including the single "Best Day Ever." The EP features production and collaborations with some of the music industry’s best, including BMI award winner PK, multi-platinum songwriter Eric Dawkins, super-producer DJ Battlecat and the legendary Snoop Dogg— just to name a few.
Jazz Funk Soul f. Jeff Lorber, Everett Harp & Paul Jackson Jr.
Pianist, composer and producer Jeff Lorber has been a major innovator on the creative music scene for over three decades. Along with maestros Herbie Hancock, Joe Sample and Bob James, Lorber is a groundbreaking Fender Rhodes pioneer. Having produced for everyone from Dave Koz to Kenny G, the Grammy nominated pianist’s long running acclaimed ensemble, Jeff Lorber Fusion, was a major force in contemporary jazz’s early beginnings.
Everette Harp’s soulful and trademark blend of jazz, R&B, funk and pop have made him a favorite among fans, fellow musicians and critics alike. Harp’s impressive career that has allowed him to collaborate with everyone from Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan, Anita Baker, Luther Vandross and Patti Labelle to George Duke, Herbie Hancock, Billy Joel and Kenny Loggins.
Paul Jackson, Jr. is regarded as one of the most recorded guitarists in the world. He has seven previous successful albums, containing several top ten releases to include Grammy nominated “I Came to Play”.
Euge Groove
Fear and creativity can not live in the same room, declares free-spirited and consummate chart-topping saxophonist, composer, producer and radio host Euge Groove. The highly sought after musical chameleon has been called upon for his musical prowess by everyone from Rock `N' Roll Hall of Famer Tina Turner and balladeer Luther Vandross to UK Blues Rocker Joe Cocker, Richard Marx, Tower of Power and Huey Lewis and the News, among countless others. A road warrior, Euge Groove stays at the top of his game by maintaining a busy touring schedule. I love live performance, which is probably pretty obvious to anyone that has seen me live, shares the charismatic saxman. On a sonic level, I try to capture the space of a live performance when I record. Instead of going for a really dry soundstage, I try to envision what the sound would be if it was playing on a theater or small venue stage. It was a blessing to take some time off from touring and really be able to focus on the creating this project, states Euge. I’ve built a great studio here at the Groove House and it makes me feel good just to sit in it. I’ll light a bunch of candles, incense, warm lighting, and just open the mind to music. It’s an amazing feeling.
In an industry where artists are consistently put in a box and categorized, Euge Groove remains an artist who chooses to continually push the boundaries and let his music go where his heart leads.
Queens of Soul Jazz f. Janette Harris & Althea Rene'
Althea Rene was born December 25th in Detroit, Michigan and began her musical journey at the tender age four. She studied classical music while attending Howard University in Washington D.C. and later gained further musical inspiration from the accomplishments of Yusef Lateef, Ian Anderson, and her father, one of Motown's original Funk Brothers, Dezie McCullers. She has since developed her own creative style, and has toured the world, playing at most of the major jazz festivals. Althea Rene made history by becoming the first flute player in the history of Billboard Chart to reach the number one spot.
Jeanette Harris a Berklee College of Music graduate Jeanette Harris is the new female saxophonist who is making big strives. Her CD "Summer Rain" made it all the way to #4 on the Smooth Jazz Billboard Chart and #1 on the Smooth Jazz Indie Chart! Jeanette's new CD Chocolate Vibez is her best work yet, showcasing not only her amazing sax skills but also her song writing and producing skills as well. Jeanette toured with the late Teena Marie, Recorded with guitarist Norman Brown (who is featured on her 2011 release "Saxified"), Wrote for Gerald Albright. Now with her Fifth and finest CD "Chocolate Vibez" bowing with her own signature Chocolate Vibez perfume to match, Jeanette Harris is unquestionably the next "Starchild of the Saxophone".
WAR
War (originally called Eric Burdon and War) is an American funk band from Long Beach, California. They are known for several hit songs (including “Spill the Wine”, "The World Is a Ghetto”, The Cisco Kid, “Why Can’t We Be Friend?’, Low Rider, and “Summer”). Formed in 1969, War is a musical crossover band which fuses elements of rock, funk, jazz, Latin, R & B and Reggae. Their album The World Is a Ghetto was the best-selling album of 1973. The band transcended racial and cultural barriers with a multi-ethnic line-up. War was subject to many line-up changes over the course of its formation, leaving member Leroy “Lonnie” Jordan as the only original member in the current line-up; four other members created a new group called the Lowrider Band.