Cowboy Jazz plays at Corkscrew
- Bryan Smith saxophone
- Ryan Meagher guitar
- Shao Way Wu bass
- Jonas Oglesbee drums
Cowboy Jazz is a folk/country inspired jazz collective that is based out of Portland, Oregon. Members of the quartet, comprised of alto saxophonist Bryan Smith, guitarist Ryan Meagher, bassist Shao Way Wu, and drummer Jonas Oglesbee, have collaborated over the past several years with the aim to diversify their audience in both urban and rural communities. Their music, described by some as “Merle Haggard meets Pat Metheny,” explores folk and country stylings such as travis picking, singable melodies, and slide guitar, with a mix of complex harmony, high-flying solos, and modern jazz sensibilities. Through melding these styles, Cowboy Jazz strives to create a deeper connection with audiences and American culture.
Bryan Smith, saxophonist, composer and educator Bryan Smith has been an active member of the jazz and improvised music scene in the Northwest. Having been a musician in both Seattle and Portland, Smith has been able to develop a unique and individualistic voice that is synonymous with West Coast jazz. Influenced by West Coast bebop with players such as Warne Marsh, Lee Konitz, and Lennie Tristano, mixed with the alternative rock of the 90’s that was popularized in the Northwest, Smith has found a way to incorporate history and regional identity in his music.
Ryan Meagher (pronounced Marr) is a jazz guitarist and composer who grew up in San Jose, California. Perhaps best-known for his compositional acumen, he is also well-known for his flexibility and range. He is truly in his own space when exploring his thought-provoking original material with exciting and sensitive sidemen, but he has also accompanied a pool of incredibly diverse artists. He can lay down traditional harmonic and rhythmic framework for artists like Terell Stafford and Randy Brecker, and John Clayton. But he can also stretch and provide color like he has alongside very adventurous artists like trumpeters Cuong Vu and Taylor Ho Bynum, bassist David Friesen, and the poll-winning ensemble Mostly Other People Do the Killing.
Shao Way Wu is a freelance jazz bassist and Portland resident who grew up in Hong Kong. He moved to the Bay Area in 1971 at the age of fifteen. For two decades Wu was a pillar of the Humboldt County, CA jazz community. His artistic spirit has been thriving in Portland, where he’s released a handful of albums and collaborated with a swath of northwest creatives. Current projects include The CMG Extradition Series, John Savage Quartet, Bryan Smith Quartet, Alan Cook Collective, JB Butler Trio, John Niekrasz Trio, Ike Levin Trio, Chris Lee Duo.
Jonas Oglesbee is a drummer based in Portland, OR. After receiving a degree in Jazz Studies from Indiana University, Jonas relocated to Portland where he can be found performing throughout the Pacific Northwest. He has had the privilege of sharing the stage and studio with a variety of artists, including the Frank Glover Quartet, Buselli-Wallarab Jazz Orchestra, David Baker, Pat Harbison, Portland Jazz Composers Ensemble, Bryan Smith Quartet/Quintet, Ian Christensen Trio, and continues to seek out exciting musical opportunities.
