NEWS

July music preview

Oh my goodness, folks, what an amazing run of music we have booked for you as we head into the summer. July will be a "funky good time", featuring a tribute to James Brown, by The Portland Soul All-stars. This show, on July 12th, will mark Jimmy Mak's 12-year anniversary!
Patrick Lamb will present a special show with us on July 25th, featuring GC Cameron. GC is the real deal, having sung with both The Spinners, and The Temptations.
We are also happy to present, along with jazz station KMHD, vocalist Janis Mann. Janis will join The Mel Brown Quartet on July 16th.
Soul Vaccination, Linda Hornbuckle, International Male, Thara Memory, and many other wonderful bands will help us to make July a very hot month of music.
As always, reservations are recommended to guarantee seating for all of our shows. Please contact us at 503-295-6542 for reservations and additional information.

RESIDENT EVENTS:

Every Tuesday
"Partners in Jazz", A collaboration between KHMD 89.1FM and Jimmy Mak's
Generously supported by Mirassou Winery
6:30pm, with The Mel Brown Septet following at 8:00pm
Jimmy Mak’s is proud to be participating in a partnership with KMHD's "Home Grown Live" program, which is featuring a series of shows designed to bring you the very best up-and-coming jazz artists in Portland. There are many exciting and talented new artists working in Portland right now, our hope is to introduce you to the next generation of jazz musicians coming up in the Portland scene. Every Tuesday, the featured artist in our "Partners in Jazz" series will open for the Mel Brown Septet at 6:30pm, and play until 7:30pm. Then, The Mel Brown Septet will hit it with their blend of straight-ahead and hard-bop jazz. They will play two sets, starting at 8pm as usual. The dates and artists in our "Partners in Jazz" series for June include:

Monday nights
Dan Balmer, no cover.
 Dan Balmer leads off our week with a variety of trios. Dan’s music is best described as guitar-based contemporary jazz reflecting the great guitarists of the 70’s (i.e. John McLaughlin, Pat Methany, Bill Frisell etc.) His line-ups include Micah Kassel, Charlie Doggett, Carlton Jackson and Drew Shoals (Drums) Clay Giberson and George Mitchell (Keyboards) and Jeff Leonard and Damian Erskine on Bass. On two Mondays a month, Dan teams with Shoals and Giberson to form Go By Train, a post-modern look into the future of jazz-fusion. There is no cover on Mondays and music starts at 8:00 so we can welcome young listeners for the first set. Check out Dan at www.danbalmer.com.

Tuesday nights
The Mel Brown Septet, $6.00 cover.
The Mel Brown Septet plays hard bop and straight ahead jazz with passion and flair. The Godfather of Portland jazz and one of the world’s finest drummers, Mel is joined in the rhythm section by pianist/composer Gordon Lee and bassist Andre St. James. The four horn line-up features Renato Caranto on tenor saxophone, Warren Rand on alto, Stan Bock on trombone and euphonium and Derek Sims in the trumpet chair. Mel’s Septet re-creates the sound of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, with a continuous flow of music that must be seen to be appreciated. This early-start show time allows young players to come and hear the music.

Wednesday nights
The Mel Brown Quartet, $5.00 cover.
The Mel Brown Quartet swings their collective butts off. Pianist and musical director Tony Pacini brings his extensive book of original material and crafty arrangements to the mix.  Bass guru Ed Bennett lends some of his own compositions in addition to his amazing playing.  Dan Balmer brings his versatile guitar playing and some of his own music as well. The band is anchored by Mel’s drumming, featuring his legendary brushwork. This group represents some of the finest traditional jazz played being played anywhere in the world. We’re also reveling in the release of their newest CD “An Evening with the Mel Brown Quartet.”

Thursday nights
The Mel Brown B-3 Organ Group, $5.00 cover.
The Mel Brown B-3 Organ Group has held court on Thursday nights for nine years and shows no signs of letting up. They play organ based soul jazz in the tradition of Jimmy Smith, Jack McDuff and Jimmy McGriff. But that’s only part of the show. Mel brings his 20 plus years of Motown work to the table as well, as the band plays instrumental versions of your favorite Motown music. The engine of the band is clearly the Hammond B-3 Organ, in the very capable hands of Louis Pain. Adding melodic under-pinning and great grooving ability is guitarist Dan Balmer. Out front with his smoldering tenor saxophone is the man with more soul in his little finger than most of us have in our whole bodies, Renato Caranto.

JULY

Soul Vaccination
Saturday, July 5th
$10 Cover
This fixture in the Northwest music scene has been bringing you tunes from the likes of Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Earth Wind & Fire and Tower of Power for years, and they do it quite well. The band features the mighty Hammond B-3 organ playing of Louis Pain as well as the precision guitar playing of Max Rees. Handling the bass is Leah Hinchcliff, while Edwin Coleman III keeps the time on drums. Jeannine Wiggins and Mark Wyatt share the vocal duties. And Lewis Livermore and Dave Mills carry the backbone sound of the Soul Vax horns on trumpets, with Mary Sue Tobin and Gary Harris on saxophones. There is no doubt that this show will blow the roof off of Jimmy Mak’s, so don’t miss out! Check them out at www.soulvax.com.

Linda Hornbuckle
Friday, July 11th
$10 Cover
Every time I think I’ve heard this band at their best, they come back and take it even higher the next time. So, I’m not kidding when I say that Linda Hornbuckle and her band just can’t be missed. Without a doubt, she’s one of the very baddest singers anywhere, and with her powerful band she consistently provides us with some of our best shows. Her rhythm section features drummer Rod Nightingale locking up with bassist Randy Monroe and guitarist Doug Lewis. The keyboards of Janice Scroggins and Louis Pain on his Hammond B-3 Organ round out the band. This is jazz, funk and soul music all in one night people. To learn more about Linda, check her out at www.lindahornbuckle.com. This is a show you don’t want to miss.

Jimmy Mak’s 12th Anniversary
Featuring The Portland Soul All-Stars’ Tribute to James Brown!
Saturday, July 12th
$15 in advance through TicketsOregon.com
Come on down and help us celebrate our 12th anniversary with the help of the Portland Soul All Stars. They will help us celebrate with a tribute the late, great Godfather of Soul himself, Mr. Dynamite, James Brown! Tonight, we’ll celebrate the music of James Brown with an all-star band performing some of his legendary work. At the core of the group is Linda Hornbuckle’s band, featuring Doug Lewis on guitar, Randy Monroe on bass, Rod Nightingale on drums, Janice Scroggins on piano and Louis Pain on the Hammond B-3 organ. A James Brown tribute would not be complete without that signature horn sound. So we’ve added “The Mak Horns.” John Nastos handles the alto saxophone, Renato Caranto takes the tenor spot, Stan Bock adds his trombone, with Derek Sims on trumpet. You can’t have a James Brown tribute without vocals, right? How about Linda Hornbuckle, LaRhonda Steele, Kirk Green and Stevie Mays? Think that takes care of it? I thought you did. Wow! This will go down as one of the great shows in our history so don’t miss out! Get your tickets at www.ticketsoregon.com, then call us at (503) 295-6542 to make your seating reservations. This show sold out fast last year, so get on it, ‘cause we’re gonna have a funky good time! Check out www.myspace.com/theportlandsoulallstars for more info.

Janis Mann with the Mel Brown Quartet
Wednesday, July 16th
Advance Tickets available through KMHD $70/per pair
Los Angeles based vocalist Janis Mann joins the Mel Brown Quartet for a celebration of her new CD “A Perfect Time- Drummer and Other Friends.” A superb, true jazz singer, Janis has performed or recorded with the likes of Diane Schuur, Roy Haynes, John Clayton, Jack Sheldon and Roy McCurdy. In fact, John Clayton says she is “a singer who understands the meaning and the music of a song.” Her able assistance from the Mel Brown Quartet will certainly make for an amazing evening of wonderful jazz. Tickets for this show are being made available through KMHD in concert with their pledge drive June 19th –22nd. So you are not only getting to see a great show, but you’re also helping to support our favorite radio station and partner in jazz, KMHD. Visit www.kmhd.fm or call (503) 491-7800 or (888) 564-3891 during the pledge drive. You can learn more about Janis at www.janismann.com.

David Friesen Quintet with the John Nastos Band
Friday, July 18th
$10 Cover
Considered the foremost modern jazz bassist today, David Friesen leads a top-flight assembly of Portland’s finest musicians through his intelligent and thoughtful work. Dan Balmer plays guitar with fire and flair. Charlie Doggett handles the drums beautifully. The quintet features two saxophones. Rob Davis lends his well-rounded abilities and John Gross brings his one of a kind sound to the stage as well. David is recording and videotaping the show for future use so this should be pretty heavy. Come on down and enjoy an evening of World-class modern jazz. Check out David at www.davidfriesen.net. Also playing Friday night is the John Nastos Band. John recently returned to the Pacific Northwest after completing his studies at the prestigious Manhattan School of Music. Having cut his teeth on our stage as a teenager, it is only natural that we see him making his mark here again. His band features keyboardist Clay Giberson and guitarist Chris Mosley. Check him out at www.myspace.com/johnnastos.

International Male with the Gretchen Mitchell Band 
Saturday, July 19th
$10 Cover
The boys from International Male are back to bring you the funk and disco that you so richly deserve. Whether it’s the pop sensibility of Boz Scaggs, the straight up funk of Heatwave, or the infectious humor of the band themselves; these folks come to play. Enjoy the guitar pyrotechnics of “the ladies choice”, Laird Grainger. Feel the slap and tickle funk of John McIssac’s bass in your backside. Check out the silky-smooth vocals of lead singer Mitchell “Moose” Lee. Groove with the ivory tinkling of Adam McIssac. Get down and dirty with drummer Cory Burden. Their latest addition is the sweet voice and beautiful curves of vocalist Angela Darrow. In short, people, be amazed at what happens when musicians learn more than three chords! Also coming to the party on Saturday night is the Gretchen Mitchell band! Gretchen has graced our stage several times and brings an outstanding mix of funk and soul music. The boys of International Male have given her the Booty Shaking Stamp of Approval™ so you know it’s going to get sweaty. This is a great pair of bands that will make for one tremendous show.  Check out International Male at www.myspace.com/internationalmalefunkypo, and visit Gretchen at www.gretchenmitchellmusic.com.

Towner Galaher
Monday, July 21st
$8 Cover
Drummer Towner Galaher makes his Jimmy Mak’s debut playing music from his CD, “Panorama.” He’s put together a first-rate group of local musicians to help him out, including trumpeter Farnell Newton and saxophonist Tim Wilcox. His rhythm section will include Andre St. James on the bass and Dan Gaynor on piano. To hear some of Towner’s music and learn more about him, visit www.townergalahermusic.com.

The Patrick Lamb Band, featuring vocalist G.C. Cameron
Friday, July 25th
Two Shows: 7:30 and 10pm
$25 per show in advance through TicketsOregon.com
G.C. Cameron was the lead singer of the Motown act, The Spinners, from the late 60’s to early 70’s.  Cameron sang lead on their first big hit, 1970’s “It’s a Shame”, co-written and produced by Stevie Wonder.  In 2003, Cameron replaced Barrington “Bo” Henderson as one of the lead singers of another famous Motown act, The Temptations.  Cameron is the real deal, one of the best, and comes to Jimmy Mak’s to join Patrick and his band for two shows tonight.  This will be a reunion of sorts, as Patrick played with Cameron while growing up in Mississippi. Patrick is putting together a killer band for this show including Reinhardt Meltz (drums) Jay Koder (guitar) Gene Houck (bass) and Chris Turner (piano). G.C. will also get some help from one of our favorite singers, Liv Warfield. This is the real deal people, and we expect it to be packed for both shows. Advance tickets to the two shows can be purchased at Tickets Oregon and they’ll go fast, so purchase now! Visit www.ticketsoregon.com to purchase your tickets and call us at (503) 295-6542 to make your seating reservations.

Thara Memory’s Superband
Saturday, July 26th
$10 Cover
Thara Memory is truly one of the most respected and talented musicians in Portland.  After working through some serious health issues, Thara wants you all to know, “I’m back!” What kind of music does the Superband play? Funk, jazz, soul; you name it. In short, it’s the good kind. Fellow horn men Renato Caranto (tenor saxophone) and Stan Bock  (trombone) complete the powerful horn section. The rhythm section is about as good as it gets. Ghanan master drummer Israel Annoh keeps the time, while Stevie Ray Mays adds the funky bass. To top it off, they have the help of piano genius Janice Scroggins! Special guest vocalists may include Linda Hornbuckle, Marilyn Keller or Asha Memory. This is real soul music people. No messing around about it. Thara’s latest CD “Chronicles,” will be available at the show and comes with my highest recommendation.

Summertime is here and the living is easy, to paraphrase George Gershwin. Take it easy yourself and relax with some great food, drinks, and world-class music with us at Jimmy Mak’s. As always, we highly recommend making advanced dinner reservations for all of our shows. Give us a call at (503) 295-6542 and make your plans for a great evening out. See you soon!

From Behind the Bar,

J.D.