44th Annual Cathedral Park Jazz Festival
The Cathedral Park Jazz Festival is live for our 44th anniversary of this landmark jazz festival! The event will be held from July 19th to the 21st.
This is a free event, but you will have many opportunities to support the festival through cash donations and purchasing drinks from the beer and wine garden! There will be food carts and booths so you won't need to bring any nourishment with you. Bring your own low chair or a blanket. Dogs are discouraged unless they are service animals. No outside alcohol is allowed. Alcohol consumption is allowed for those 21 and over in the beer and wine garden only. We do not allow any umbrellas or tents on the festival grounds since they will block the view of others. Please remember to protect yourself with sunscreen! Get there early to get a good parking spot (street parking only) - or better yet, take public transit to the park!
2024 Festival Line Up
FRIDAY, July 19, 2024
4:30-5:30pm — Jr. T Blues Band with Tevis Hodge
The four-piece Jr. T Blues Band with Tevis Hodge, plays an eclectic mix of Piedmont, Delta, Texas, urban and country blues, jug band, jazz, and folk music.
6:00-7:00pm — Fenix Rising
The soulful R&B band, Fenix Rising led by saxophonist/blues vocalist Fenix Sanders, has performed weekly for nearly 20 years at Portland’s Blue Diamond.
7:30-8:30pm — Ms. Vee and a Badass Band
Valyria Lewis and under the direction of jake Koprowski, will play a Soul Blues-Souther Soul sound that marries soul, funk, and R&B. Ms Vee has won numerous awards in the US and internationally.
9:00-10:00pm — Johnny Wheels and the Swamp Donkeys
The five-member band of singer/songwriter/harmonica player Johnny Wheels and the Swamp Donkeys plays Blues blended with R&B, soul, jazz, funk and rock. A childhood accident that left Wheels paralyzed from the neck down did not deter him from pursuing his love of music.
SATURDAY, July 20, 2024
1:00-2:00pm — Junior Slam AJAM Band
Junior Slam AJAM Band will play straight-ahead jazz (genre of jazz that developed in the 1960s, with roots in the prior two decades). The seven-member band, led by Kiran Raphael, is part of The Alan Jones Academy of Music, a private music education institution for all ages in Portland, founded by drummer, composer, and Berklee alumni Alan Jones.
2:30-3:30pm — Alan Jones’ Social Music
Alan Jones’ Social Music Born in Portland, drummer/composer Jones started touring in Europe at age 16 with Amsterdam-based organist Count Dutch. Jones has recorded with international stars like Kenny Wheeler and Lee Konitz, as well as local Portland legends such as Jim Pepper and Ralph Towner.
4:00-5:00pm — Lauren “Lo” Steele
Jazz singer and composer Lauren “Lo” Steele incorporates soul, gospel, blues and modern R&B and will sing original songs from her first album, “Happy Girl”.
5:30-6:30pm — Conjunto Berretin
Conjunto Berretin is a group of top tango musicians, playing traditional Argentine tangos, milongas, and valses for social dancing. Among its members are some of Portland's top jazz musicians, members of the Oregon Symphony, and Tango Berretin founder/dancer/teacher, Alex Krebs. The group has performed at tango festivals across the country and has released seven albums.
7:00-8:00pm — Onion
Onion, an instrumental quintet creates an orchestrated jazz fusion sound of original compositions with layers of jazz, rock, hip-hop, and funk, inspired by groups like Return to Forever.
8:30-9:45pm — Tyrone Hendrix & the PDX Soul Collective
Tyrone Hendrix & the PDX Soul Collective: Innovative drummer/multi-instrumentalist, composer and producer Tyrone Hendrix, cousin of Jimi, blends soul, funk, and jazz. Hendrix performed with artists, such as Prince and Stevie Wonder.
SUNDAY, July 21, 2024
1:00-2:00pm — Yugen Rashad Soul Jazz Project
The Yugen Rashad Soul Jazz Project, led by self-taught musician and award-winning Portland broadcaster Rashad, who performs from behind his keyboard while playing bass with his left hand emphasizes improvisation.
2:30-3:30pm — George Colligan
Internationally renowned jazz pianist and multi-instrumentalist, composer, teacher and bandleader George Colligan will play with his trio, featuring Zyanna (new vocalist).
4:00-5:00pm — Bobby Torres
Bobby Torres Ensemble, led by percussionist, songwriter, session musician and record producer Torres, who toured for 10 years with Tom Jones, then formed his own Latin jazz group in Portland.
5:30-6:30pm — Mel Brown B-3 Organ Group
Mel Brown B-3 Organ Group will perform a Tribute to Les McCann. Nearly every member of the group led by Portland’s own “Gentleman of Jazz” Brown played with the late McCann.
7:00-8:00pm — Jujuba
Jujuba, the 10-member Nigerian Afrobeat group Jujuba combines the rhythms of Afrobeat legends Fela Kuti and King Sunny Ade with the godfather of soul, James Brown, and features Talking Drum master, Nojeem Lasisi. Percussion, rhythm, and horn sections create a sound designed to bring audiences to the dance floor.
