NEWS

Music previews

Please check out our music notes below for news and information about all of the great artists performing at Jimmy Mak's. Links are included to many of the perfomer's own websites, so you can learn even more about their music.

As always, dinner 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"
6:30pm, with The Mel Brown Septet following at 8:00pm
Jimmy Mak’s is proud to feature 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. The Mel Brown Septet will hit it with their blend of straight-ahead and hard-bop jazz, playing two sets, starting at 8pm. The dates and artists in our "Partners in Jazz" series 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, Carlton Jackson, Todd Straight, and Alan Jones on drums. Clay Giberson and George Mitchell rotate on keyboards, with Jeff Leonard and Damian Erskine rotating on bass. On two Mondays a month, Dan teams with Kassel and Giberson to form Go By Train, a post-modern look into the future of jazz-fusion. There is no cover on Mondays, music starts at 8:00, with  minors welcome until 9:30. Check out Dan at www.danbalmer.com.

Tuesday nights
The Mel Brown Jazz Orchestra, $6.00 cover
In 1989, legendary trumpeter Doc Severensen (the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson) implored Mel Brown to “never let this band stop playing.” The extraordinary performance at the 1989 Playboy Jazz Festival was only a hint of things to come. Recently renamed as the Mel Brown Jazz Orchestra, this octet continues to carry the torch of hard-bop and post-bop jazz in the Pacific Northwest. 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 five-horn line-up features Renato Caranto on tenor saxophone, Warren Rand on alto saxophone, Derek Sims on trumpet and flugelhorn, Stan Bock on trombone and euphonium, and Thara Memory on trumpet. Adjunct members include John Nastos (saxophones), Farnell Newton (trumpet), Jof Lee (piano), and Carlton Jackson (drums). The Mel Brown Jazz Orchestra re-creates the sound of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, segueing from one tune to the next with an ease that makes the songs sound like one continuous piece of music.

Wednesday nights
The Mel Brown Quartet, $5.00 cover
If you were to look up the word “swinging” in the dictionary, the definition and picture would be of the Mel Brown Quartet. The band plays a smart mixture of original material and intelligent arrangements, in the style of Oscar Peterson and Gene Harris. 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 straight-ahead jazz played being played anywhere in the world today. You can learn more about them at www.tonypacini.com/mbqinfo.htm.

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 over ten years, and continues to smoke the house with every show. They play organ based soul jazz in the tradition of Jimmy Smith, Jack McDuff, and Jimmy McGriff. Mel also brings his 20 plus years of Motown work to the table, 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. Finally, we’re very happy to welcome back percussionist, Curtis Craft! This group has really been the defining sound for Jimmy Mak’s since our early days, and it has been said that you can’t truly call yourself a Portlander, if you haven’t checked out Mel and this great band. Learn more at www.myspace.com/melbrownb3organgroup.

FEBRUARY MUSIC NOTES

Eddie Martinez
Friday, February 3rd
$10 Cover
Tonight, we are proud to welcome back world famous rock guitarist, Eddie Martinez! Martinez is a New York transplant living here in Portland full-time.
Eddie has been recognized by Guitar Player Magazine as one of the best players in the nation. He is known for his epic and larger than life Rock and Roll sound. However, blues, soul, funk, jazz and even hip-hop are included in his expansive repertoire.
What do Robert Palmer, Mick Jagger, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Rod Stewart, Steve Winwood, David Lee Roth, Run DMC, Stanley Clarke, George Duke, Lenny White, Blondie, Meat Loaf, Celine Dion, Joe Cocker, Diana Ross, Nona Hendryx, Patti LaBelle, Ryuichi Sakamoto, and Bootsy Collins all have in common? They’ve all recorded featuring the talents of Eddie Martinez on guitar.
Since making Portland his home, Eddie has become increasingly impressed with the widespread talent of local musicians. His local band includes keyboardist Ramsey Embick, bassist Gary Fountaine, and drummers Anthony Jones and Kevin Rankin. Under Martinez’s direction and supervision, the band rehearsed for nearly a year before making their debut in the fall of 2010. The current repertoire includes an eclectic selection of rock and blues, with highlights including Jeff Beck, Curtis Mayfield, and Jimi Hendrix, as well as some of Eddie’s originals. Believe me folks, this show will provide a whole new definition of the term Bang for the Buck!

Wheels in the Sky
with Stimpack
Saturday, February 4th
$10 Cover
Tonight we put away our jazz chops and turn up the volume to eleven as we welcome back “Wheels in the Sky: A Tribute to Journey”, one of the all-time greatest bands in rock/pop music.  Wheels brings a super-high-energy show that will blow you away! Formed in 2010, Wheels in the Sky: A Tribute to Journey, is a band made up of five A-list jazz, funk and rock musicians from Portland, Oregon’s thriving music scene. The brainchild of Michael Vincent Michaels III (a.k.a. Josh Cliburn), Wheels in the Sky pays tribute to the power, majesty and sensuality of classic Journey, culled from the albums “Infinity” through “Raised on Radio”. The band eschews nostalgia for intense and passionate live performances of the original music, including such radio staples as Don’t Stop Believin’, Any Way You Want It, Feelin’ That Way/Anytime, Lovin’, Touchin’, Squeezin’, and Who’s Cryin’ Now. Who’s in the band you ask? Check it out:
The band is made up of Michael Vincent Michaels III, one of Portland’s most respected tenor saxophone players in top-tier jazz/funk groups Porterhouse and Intervision. Possessing the same power and range as Steve Perry, Michaels honed his Journey chops through many incendiary late-night karaoke sessions – much to his ladyfriends’ delight.
Laird Franklin and John McIsaac, holding down guitar and bass duties respectively, came to Wheels from Int’l Male, a top-draw disco/funk act.  Keyboardist/vocalist George Melissa (a.k.a. Jeff Sechs) splits his time between Wheels and popular Portland neo-soul group Excellent Gentlemen. A talented vocalist in his own right, Melissa easily tackles the Gregg Rolie leads from the early records. Albie Forsterer, widely considered to be the godfather of Portland heavy rock drummers, is a dedicated student of all of Journey’s drummers, from Prairie Prince to Deen Castronovo.
But this is only the tip of the iceberg folks, because tonight Wheels in the Sky presents a Tri-Bute! That’s right people, they are bringing together two more of arena-rock’s most legendary names to complete this night of tight pants, and shirts as loud as their guilty pleasure rock anthems! Tonight, Journey, Foreigner AND Loverboy will be channelled through this one amazingly sexy band!
To top it all off, Portland Retro-Rockers Stimpak open the show at 8pm to get the room greased up. We’re clearing out space to dance, so get ready to bring it. If you want a table, call us now at (503) 295-6542 for dinner reservations, ‘cause these boys always pack the house.

Bobby Broom and the Deep Blue Organ Trio
Thursday, February 9th
Reserved Seating $15/General Admission $12
Advanced Tickets Available at www.ticketsoregon.com
Bobby Broom & The Deep Blue Organ Trio are Chicago's version of Mel Brown's B3 Organ Group. Bobby and his band have held down Wednesday nights at Pete Miller's in Chicago for over 13 years.  If you love Mel's B3 Organ Group, you'll love this band, too!
Bobby is a tremendously talented guitar player and educator, whose career took off when the great Sonny Rollins asked him to join his group in 1981. Bobby toured and recorded with Rollins for 6 years, rejoined Rollins in 2005, and remains a member of his group. Bobby's other touring credits include work with Hugh Masekela, Kenny Burrell, Stanley Turrentine, Kenny Garrett, and Dr. John.
In addition, Bobby has been recording and releasing his own music, with Bobby Broom Plays for Monk providing fresh insights into Monk's music, while capturing its timeless spirit.
The band's latest release, "Wonderful!", was the most played jazz title in North America last summer, and came in at #1 on both the JazzWeek Top 50 Jazz Album Chart and the CMJ Jazz Top 40 Chart.
"Wonderful!" pays tribute to Stevie Wonder with deeply informed, strongly felt versions of nine Wonder songs from the 1970's.
The band is on a West Coast tour headlining some of the area's top jazz rooms including Yoshi's, Jazz Alley, and Jimmy Mak's.
Bobby Broom & The Deep Blue Organ Trio are Bobby Broom (guitar), Chris Foreman (organ), and Greg Rockingham (drums). Don't miss this rare opportunity to enjoy this talented and gifted group.
Find out more at www.bobbybroom.com.

Lisa Mann and Her Really Good Band
CD release event!
Friday, February 10th
$10 Cover
Lisa Mann debuts her newest CD, "Satisfied", at Jimmy Mak's this evening. The long awaited CD features 9 new original songs from Lisa, with performances from her Muddy nominated band, as well as guest appearances by Lloyd Jones, Kevin Selfe, Joe Powers, Sonny Hess, and more.
Lisa and her band will perform her soul-stirring originals, as well as renditions of the best songs from blues artists, both classic and contemporary.  The Really Good Band consists of Jeff Knudson, who brings his fiery blues-rock style to the guitar, drummer Michael Ballash, who adds a distinctive swing, and Brian Harris, the pianist/organist with deep soul in his playing as well as his vocals.
Lisa Mann has been inducted into the Cascade Blues Association's Hall of Fame, and for the third year in a row, won the Muddy Waters Award for Bass Player of the Year.  She is also the first winner of the CBA's Duffy Bishop Award for Female Vocalist of the Year.  In February of 2011, she and her Really Good Band made it to the semi-finals in the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN.  To find out more about Lisa and the band, visit www.lisamannmusic.com.

Bobby Torres Ensemble
Birthday/Anniversary Celebration
Saturday, February 11th
$10 Cover
Bobby Torres knows how to put a great band together. His full sized ensemble rips it up every time they take our stage, and tonight will be no exception. As always, Bobby’s famous percussion leads a smoking hot rhythm section. Bobby’s five-piece horn section always blows the house down and features a rotating line up of Portland’s best players. And to top it all off, he’s put together the smoldering sexy trio of Karla Harris, Julana Torres, and newest member Jessica Holyfield-Melz on the vocals.
Tonight is extra special, as we celebrate Bobby’s birthday and the anniversary of the Ensemble. It’s also the last performance for Karla Harris, as she prepares to leave Portland. So get on down here and show your love, wish Bobby a happy birthday, and dance the night away! ‘Cause with this band, the party is always happening! Check him out at www.bobbytorres.com. 

Valentine’s Day
with The Mel Brown Septet
and special guest Shirley Nanette
Tuesday, February 14th
Two shows, 7:00pm and 9:30pm
Reserved Seating $10/General Admission $8
Advanced Tickets Available at www.ticketsoregon.com
What better way to spend Valentine's Day, than with our own local legend, drummer Mel Brown.
His Septet has held court at Jimmy Mak's on Tuesday nights for almost fourteen years. The rhythm section is rounded out by pianist Gordon Lee and bassist Andre St. James, while the horns are made up of Derek Sims on trumpet, Stan Bock on trombone, John Nastos on alto saxophone, and Renato Caranto on tenor saxophone. Every week they bring to the stage the high-energy feel of post-bop and hard-bop music, exemplified by Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers.
For this special occasion, however, they'll be dipping deeply into the well of ballads and love songs that have woven the tapestry of jazz for the last century. To make the evening extra-special, one of Portland's premier jazz vocalists, Miss Shirley Nanette, will join the Septet as a special guest.
Miss Nanette's powerful voice can span from the grittiest of blues, to the most delicate of love songs, and her rapport with Mel is undeniable. In fact, they happen to be cousins.
These will be two fantastic shows, and we expect them to be packed, so get to TicketsOregon.com and get your tickets!

"Livin' for the City"
Patrick Lamb’s Tribute to Stevie Wonder
Produced with Tyrone Hendrix and TeeFamm Music
Friday, February 17th
Two shows, 7:30pm and 10:00pm
Reserved Seating $25/General Admission $20
Advanced Tickets Available at www.ticketsoregon.com
Stevie Wonder, one of MoTown's greatest artists, will have some of his greatest hits featured at this special tribute show including "I Wish", "Very Superstitious", "Signed Sealed Delivered", and more.
Current Stevie Wonder band members Tyrone Hendrix (drums) and Nate Watts (bass), will be joined by Patrick Lamb and his band, along with special guests Liv Warfield, Jarrod Lawson, Saeeda Wright, and Paul Creighton. Tribute co-producer Tyrone Hendrix, says "It's going to be a phenomenal experience gracing the stage with one of my musical mentors, Nate Watts, and some of Portland's finest to pay homage to a living legend."
Tickets are going fast, so be sure to get to TicketsOregon today!

Devin Phillips Quartet
Saturday, February 18th
$10 Cover
Devin Phillips has surely added vitality, verve and spice to the Portland jazz scene since his arrival four years ago. Along with his shoot-from-the-hip, Sonny Rollins/Joe Henderson-like urgency, Phillips swings hard and plays it out like it matters. His most current recording, Wade in the Water, perfectly showcases his suave dynamics of musicality, showmanship and swagger — as rooted in the tradition of jazz’s cradle as it is caged in jazz modernity. Devin’s quartet features a rotating lineup of Portland’s finest jazz musicians. Their last show was an incredible musical journey from old-time Sidney Bechet all the way to Herbie Hancock. Don’t miss out on this amazing performance! Learn more about this explosive saxophonist at www.devinphillips.com.

The Portland Jazz Festival
PDX Jazz @ Jimmy Mak's
Weiden+Kennedy presents:
Charles McPherson
Monday, February 20th
7:30 Show with Darrell Grant and the PSU Jazz Ensemble:
Reserved Seating $15/General Admission $10
9:30 Show with the Randy Porter Trio:
Reserved Seating $20/General Admission $15
Advanced Tickets Available at www.ticketsoregon.com
With a sound and style of playing channeling the spirit of Charlie “Bird” Parker, Charles McPherson is one of jazz’s most journeyed alto saxophonists. A product of Detroit’s rich jazz heritage in the late 1950s, McPherson is perhaps best known for his work with Charles Mingus, and for his appearance in Clint Eastwood’s film, “Bird” (a biopic on Parker). The enduring saxophonist recently celebrated his 40th anniversary in jazz and will participate in his first Portland Jazz Festival in a variety of contexts. 
McPherson will conduct afternoon workshops at Jimmy Mak’s, followed by an opening set in collaboration with Darrell Grant and the PSU Jazz Ensemble.
McPherson will then participate in a Jazz Conversation, followed by a concluding set supported by the Randy Porter Trio, paying tribute to “Bird” and Lester Young “Prez” in conjunction with President’s Day. Please note that these are two separately ticketed shows. Learn more about this incredible artist at www.charlesmcpherson.com.
He is a singular voice who has never sacrificed the fluidity of his melody making, and is held in high esteem by musicians both long seasoned and young.
– New York Times

Linda Hornbuckle
Friday, February 24th
$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 has recently welcomed new drummer Lenn Russell, and locking up with him are the two guys I like to call the peanut butter and jelly sandwich of funk, bassist Randy Monroe and guitarist Doug Lewis. Bringing his undeniably soulful saxophone is the powerful Renato Caranto. The keyboards of Craig Stevenson, 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. Once again, this is a show you don’t want to miss, so get down and git down!

Intervision
with Marcus Eaton
Saturday, February 25th
$12 Cover
Since their first performance with us in 2006, the young men of Intervision have captured the minds and ears of listeners at Jimmy Mak’s and beyond. The music takes you back to the 70’s sounds of Stevie Wonder and Steely Dan, with tightly arranged and performed melodies and poignantly intelligent lyrics. Vocalist Paul Creighton is exactly what a front man should be, and gets great help in harmonizing from guitarist Tony Stovin and keyboardist Kit Taylor. Making it funky on the back line are bass Guru Damian Erskine and drummer Jon Barber. Their two-horn section is comprised of saxophonist “Slick Willie” James and NW brass master Paul Mazzio on trumpet and flugelhorn.
Intervision has been on somewhat of an extended hiatus and they are making a VERY rare appearance with us. So don’t miss out on this opportunity to catch one of the best bands in the Northwest!

What an incredible year! And we’ve got even more great things coming for you in 2012… Thanks again to all of the wonderful people who make us who we are. To our fans and our musicians, we can’t do it without you. Have a great Holiday season and we look forward to seeing you in the New Year!

From behind the bar,

J.D.