While sitting outside at 1am on my old wicker, in the old courtyard of the old apartment building and listening to WWOZ from New Orleans. Pops is signing, "Cheek To Cheek" with Ella Fitzgerald….

I wish KMHD had a live over night DJ. Maybe I wish I was him.

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OPB BEING NICE TO THOSE OF US WHO WORK FOR FREE

On Monday, OPB threw a little party to let their staff get to know some of the KMHD jocks, or "On-Air Hosts" as we are officialy called now. Was nice to see old friends. In one month, they have given us more opportunities for DJs to talk to each other than we had in a year under the old regime.

They had thrown a party for DJ's on the day the station switched over from MHCC's studio to the new one at OPB.

They've gone out of their way to make us feel at home. I think it will spur everyone to do a better job. I started my first shift in the new studio with Oregon's version of Jim Pepper's Witchi-Tai-To from the Out of the Woods album…and on vinyl. I did my whole first set from vinyl.

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GUESSS WHO HAS THE LONGEST RUNNING GIG IN PORTLAND

Good guess. I don't know the answer, but I know which band has one of the longest and that's the Django-style band the Kung Pao Chickens at the Laurelthirst Pub. They've been playing every Monday night for free for nine years! Of course, you're supposed to throw something in the tip jar.

As you may remember, the Chickens were started by Pete Krebs. After he left town Jon Neufeld, Tracy Kim, Gary Guenther and Tim Acott made up the band. When Pete came back he joined in from time to time until he went away (what seems like) permanently (but who knows?).

They've always been a treat. These days, they've been joined by a large group of swing dancers who make Mondays even more fun. Would I rather watch girls swing dance or would I rather watchthe band? You figure it out.

Gary has been around forever and still sounds great whether he's playing clarinet, sax, flute or singing. Neufeld, for my,money is still the great undisovered jazz guitarist in this town. Tracy Kim, since he changed guitars to one which doesn't sound as much like Jon's stands out a lot better and is playing better than ever.

And ole Laurelthirst is as funky as ever.

Here's a story I did on them several years ago:



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PROBABLY THE BEST HANG OF THE SUMMER

Last Friday's CD release for Commotion was not only a great performance, but the hang was awesome.

I wrote about it for the O. Read it right here.

We were all sitting around outside Someday shooting the shit. Found out that Damian Erskine is putting the finishing touches on a new album which he says makes his last one (which was tremendous) look like a demo.

Joked with his wife, artist Courtney Erskine, about Mary Sue Tobin's brief obsession with the S.O.S. Band's Just Be Good to Me and how she had to listen to all those 80's songs (good and bad) when Ms Erskine was bartending in Chicago.

Was nice to see saxophonist Jason DuMars back in circulation after spending three years in Nashville. (What was he thinking?) Looking forward to his collaborations with Joe Janiga and others.

Was bittersweet to see drummer Drew Shoals, knowing he's going back east to Philly and law school. Now we're going to miss him all over again.

David Ornette Cherry talking to drummer Rod Nighingale who had to play after just having surgery on his leg. Dusy York and I talking about the Orioles.

A great evening.

Btw….Ohmega Watts opened and played with Commotion on their last tune. Ever seen this video of his?



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SPEAKING OF BEN DARWISH---NEW JAZZ SERIES AT THE MISSION!

He's booking FREE monthly indie jazz there every first Tuesday. Starts Tuesday Sept 1 with Trio Sutonic with Chris Mosely. He's calling it Notes from the Underground and will take advantage of the big screen. During breaks, on the first night they'll be showing Wynton Marsalis (with Branford Marsalis) in Poland - October, 1983, Joshua Redman Quartet in Switzerland - May, 2000, and the Sarah Vaughn Trio in Germany - November, 1969.

Andrew Oliver Sextet is scheduled for November. October is TBA.

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GRAB WHAT'S LEFT OF THESE SUMMER'S NIGHTS AKA SKIP ELLIOTT BOWMAN AT LIVING ROOM THEATERS

One of the nice things about summer is walking through that big open door (window?) at Living Room Theaters, into the bar while a band is playing.

The other nght when bassist Skip Elliot Bowman was playing was one of those nice nights. He was in a trio with guitar and drum/melodica. Not sure if he's coming back. Hope so.

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DAVID ORNETTE CHERRY'S SERIES COMING BACK TO CURIOUS COMEDY THEATER
It'll be returning monthly. Here's the sched:

September 19 Obo Addy/ David Ornette Cherry
October 17th The C4 InFluenz featuring Rod Nightingale
November 21th Quadraphonnes
December 19th Ron Steen Trio Featuring Toni Lincoln

David wll be my studio guest on KMHD on Saturday, August 29 in the 10pm hour.

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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT, HERE'S MY PIECE ON THE TAHOE JACKSON SHOW AT WASHINGTON PARK

click on this thing.

Here's a hint: I liked it.

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SO WHAT IS IT ABOUT TEXAS? HUH? THE LACK OF RAIN?

Guitarist Chris Mosely and drummer Rod Nightingale are both moving to Texas. What's that about? I thought Teaxs was seceeding from the U.S. What're you gonna do then get a passport to come back and play?

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JAMES BOOKER SINGING PERCY MAYFIELD

Don't get much deeper in the blues than that:



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Hey I'm just keeping this space warm for when my real internet project gets rolling. You'll like it.

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Listen to my KMHD show on Saturday nights 10pm-2am. Jazz till 12 and then The Bar opens at Midnight! Studio line 503-661-8900…call me sometime, it gets lonely out there!

Email me at tvdpdx@gmail.com