Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 27, 1996)
T he P ori l a n d O bserver • N ovember 27, 1996 P age -/z/z B3 STlje sportiani* (Ohsvruvr ENTERTAIN M evettfo '2'udtuf (Ac 29(A H eatm iser, B renda Benson 9 p.m., L aL una, 215 S. e. 9th Ave., 241-5862. Flapjacks, Blackjacks, Scream - I ing Furies 10 p.m., Satyricon, 125 I N. W. 6th Ave., 243-2380. D o u g H a m a r4 p m , Heathman Bakery and Pub, 901 S W. Salm- | on St., 227-5700. Rose M ahlers 8 p.m.. Umbra Penumbra, 314 S. W. 9th Ave., I 223-4497. Innovator, groundbreaker, conser vator o f timeless traditions and clas sic musicianship. Joe Sample is a ja z z leg en d , a so u l se a rc h e r, funkaphile and philosopher o f the first degree. With a dizzying discography that spans decades and musical styles, Joe Sample will not be limited by tags and titles. Elis musician is "his music”, and simply that, a result o f all the manifold influences o f life, together with an extraordinary mea sure o f talent and virtuosity. Texas-born, Joe Sample’s sensi bilities were steeped in gospel, soul, bepop, blues, Latin and classical music. He began playing piano at age five and by fourteen was certain o f his life’s destiny as a professional musician. After graduating from Wheatley High School in Houston, Sample, along with bassist and saxo phonist Wilton Felder, trombonist Wayne Henderson and drummerStix Hooper, headed for L A. to carve out a niche in the musical landscape and a place in jazz history. They called them,selves the Jazz Crusaders, and later, merely the Crusaders. With his feet firmly rooted in the earthly pleasures of the juke point and his mind hopscotching unfet tered across the musical continuum, alto saxophonist Sonny Simmons stands as an avant-garde paradigm in today’s all-too-conservative jazz scene. After four decades o f per forming (both as a leader and with such legends as Eric Dolphy, Charles Mingus and Sonny Rollins), Simmons still possess es every nuance o f the combi nation o f warmth and ferocity, brain and brawn that prompted Clifford Jordan to dub him “the best saxophone player in the w orld.” Ancient Ritual—Simmons’ first album for Qwest/W arner Bros., breaks a twelve-year hiatus in his recording career. The eight extended originals, which pit Sim m ons’ horn against the fluid, intuitive rhythm section o f Charnett Moffett and Zarak Simmons (Sonny’s skinsman son), give ample evidence o f his skills as com poser, im proviser and master ofspatio-temporal con structs. From the soft, languid tones o f“Theme for Linda” to the explosive title track, with its Coltrane-esque barrage o f asymmetrical phrasingsand rapidfire changes, Simmons makes one instru ment speak volumes. One listen to pieces like the propulsive “Reincar nation” or the intrigue-cloaked “The Other East” may conjure up images o f Bird blowing hot or Ornette set ting off on a cosmic flight, but in tense scrunity reveals Sim m ons’ unique, fully realized phrasing and phenomenal instincts. Huey “Sonny” Simmons was bom sixty-one years ago on Sicily Island, Louisiana, into a musical family (both his parents sang and his min ister father was also a talented trap drummer). Before Sonny reached his teens, the family moved across country to Oakland, California. It was there that he took up the English horn (an instrument he remains con nected to, as borne out by the re splendent tones that billow from A ncient R itu a l’s “ Sundow n in Egypt” ) before his exposure to Charlie Parker prompted a switch to alto sax at the age o f 16. After stints with blues and R&B stars like Lowell Fulsom and Amos Milburn, Sonny found a niche in the explosive Bay Area be-pop scene of the late ’50s alongside such musi cians as Sonny Stitt, Cal Tjader and Dexter Gordon. Before long, how ever, Simmons found himself feel ing weighed down by tradition. Like many kindred spirits, he threw off those shackles and turned to avant- garde “new thing,” joining Charles Mingus’ Jazz Workshop in 1961 The next year, Simmons formed his own group. Their first recording, The Cry has been hailed as a semi nal early free music work. at PCC’s Performing Arts Center, was well received by both the college and Portland-area commu nity. It is based on stories by L. Frank Baum, the author of the “W izard of Oz,” and is a funny, warm-hearted musical that charts Santa’s legend ary journey from toy maker to im mortality. Lew Jones 7 p.m., Edgefield Winery, 2126 S.W Elalsey St., [ 665-2992. Sueno Flam enco 7 p.m.. Cafe Sol, 620 S.W. 9th Ave., 243-2181. Five Fingers O f Funk, Jive Talking Robots 9 p.m., Berbati’s Pan, 231 S.W. Ankeny St., 248- [4579 Speeding F erlinghettis 9:30 p.m.. Ash St. Saloon, 225 S.W. Ash St., 226-0430. N obody’s B usiness 7 p.m., Eleathman Bakery and Pub, 901 S.W. Salmon St., 227-5700. The N orm an Sylvester Band 8 p.m., Trianon Lounge,9225 S.W. Allen Blvd., 245-2775. C u rtis S alg ad o Band 9:30 p.m.. Key Largo, 3 1 N.W. IstAve., 223-9919. Kelly B roadw ay 4 p.m., Water Tower Mall at John’s Landing, 5331 S.W Macadam Ave., 274- I 2786. B ughouse 5 10 p.m., 1201 Lounge and Cafe, 1201 S.W 12th Ave., 225-1201. John K eyser 9 p.m., Jazz De Opus, 33 N.W. 2nd Ave., 222- 6077. Satancbztf (Ac 3O(A \ M X PX ,T he Jim m ies, Alegro, Slick Shoes 9 p.m., LaLuna, 215 S.E. 9th Ave., 241-5862. Red Footed G enius, On A Lla ma 9:30 p.m., Berbati’s Pan, 231 S.W. Ankeny St., 248-4579. T heO cean B lueand T he D rag 9 p.m., E.J.’s, N.E.Sandy Blvd., 234-3535. K oonce/Bradley T rio 9 p.m., Buffalo Gap Saloon and Eatery, 6835 S.W. Macadam Ave., 244- [7111. Lucky Dogs 9:30 p.m., Can dlelight Room, 2032 S.W. 5th Ave., 226-3538 “C laus99 at P CC Sylvania “C laus,” presented by Oregon Ch i Idren ’s Theatre, is set to encore at the Performing Arts Theatre on the P o rtlan d C o m m u n ity C o lle g e Sylvania Campus, 12000 SW 49th Avenue, the day after Thanksgiving, Friday, Nov. 29, 7:30 p.m. The mu sical holiday performance will run through Sunday, Dec. 22 Friday per formances are at 7:30, Saturday and Sunday shows are scheduled for 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets can be pur chased by calling 228-9571, or at Ticketmaster outlets. Tickets are $ 16 for adults, $ 14 for children. “Claus,” which debuted last year I z I I Jot CnriPLi Tropicana Restaurant Serving Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Specializing in Barbeque Ribs & Beef Leroy V innegar and Friends 9 p.m., Atwater’s, 111 S.W. 5th Ave., 275-3600. The N ightcaps 10 p.m., 1201 Lounge and Cafe, 1201 S.W. 12th Ave., 225-1201. 71ej 77urtB/t(</ Andy Snitzer possesses a gift for creating accessible and inviting mel odies, while never sacrificing the kind o f interesting harmonic struc ture that captivates the serious lis tener Although Ties That Bind on Reprise Records in his solo debut, Andy has been adding aural excite ment to the recordings o f artists like Bette Midler, Carly Simon, Aretha Franklin, Bob James and Chaka Khan for some time. Born in P hiladelphia, Andy played clarinet as a child but changed to sax at 15. He studied music at the University if Miami and while there was picked to be part o f a horn section touring with Bob James in 84 (Andy played on Bob Jam es’ albums O bsession, Grand Piano Canyon and Restless). After graduating, he went on to New York University where he re ceived an MBA. While working on his Masters, he sat in with local bands and pursued studio work. By 90', Andy had taken his place as an in-demand session player, carving out aniche as a musician's musi cian. Portland W omen’s Theatre Com pany celebrates its rebirth and resur gence as a vital production company with a weekend o f performances December 5, 6, and 7, at 8 p.m. by New York actress and playwright Anna R. Nicholas. The event includes a free open house Sunday, D ecem bers, 2-5 p.m. at the theater, 1807 N.E. 39. AnnaR. Nicholas makes her Port land debut in an original one-woman show entitled I Love Paris, about, appropriately enough, giving birth Special prices will be $15 for a single donation and $25 for a cou ple C razy Mick D anger9:30 p.m., Ash St. Saloon, 225 S.W. Ash St., [ 226-0430. P h illip W illia m s 7 p .m ., Atwater’s, 111 S.W. 5th ave., 275- 3600. Anna R. Nicholas Lewis & Clark College presents Javanese Shadow Puppet Theater Featuring internationally renowned puppet master Widiyanto with The Venerable Showers of Beauty Gamelan of Lewis & Clark College LUE PARKER (503) 281-8696 Fri. & Sat. 10:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. 3217 N. Williams Ave. Portland, OR 97212 Admission $15. $11, and $7 (sludents/semor citizens $12. $8 and $7) Tickets available through the Portland Center for the Performing Arts box office and all Fastixx outlets 503 224 8499 8 p .m ., D ecem ber 6 -7 W inningstad Theatre, Southwest Broadw ay and M ain P o r t l a n d A rt M u seu m JflM filCfiN fiSSOCIflTION PRESENT!!!! DISCOVERING ELLIS RULEY through lanuary 26, 1997 The largest exhibition of works by this African American folk artist who was largely unknown while he lived Scwdatf (Ac ta t Kelly Joe Phelps 7 p.m.. First Congregational Church, 1126 S.W Park Ave., 231-9233. Ties That Bind reflects Andy Snitzer’s musical philosophy per fectly. “ 1 like beauty in music, mel ody and harmony. I like music to be commercial, but I also want sub stance. I guess I’d say I want a commercial record with guts, that is, with toughness-not shallow.” Andy’s performance is only one facet o f his substantial talent. He produced four tracks on his solo debut and contributed programming on much ofTies That Bind. “ I really like to get inside programming. From cut to cut, you want to make the decision that fits each song best.” Portland Women’s Theatre Company Celebrates Rebirth P rairie D ogs9:30p.m ., Ash St. Saloon, 225 S.W. Ash St., 226- 0430. Leon Patillo 7 p.m., Marantha Church o f God, 4227 N.E. 12th Ave., I-800-525-LOVE. A ndy Snitzer The Meditation o f Arjuna Tues. - Thurs. 10:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. C raxy Mick D anger 9 p.m., Produce Row, 204 S.E. Oak St., 232-8355. John K eyser 9 p.m.. Jazz De Opus, 33 N.W. 2nd Ave., 222- 6077. The Crusaders Reached far be yond jazz over the years, collecting gold and platinum records along the way Their last joint eftort was Life In The Modern World, 1987. Joe Sample embarked on a solo career in ’78 and has accrued a num- berofchart-topping jazz hits, includ ing: Carmel, Rainbow Seeker, Voic es In The Rain, his ’89 W arner Bros, debut recording Spellbound, ‘90’s Ashes To Ashes, and ‘93’s Invita tion On Did You Feel That?, Sam ple’s latest offering on W arner Bros. Records, he is accompanied by The Soul Committee, an allegiance o f celebrated players, each legends in their own right, including: Steve Gadd, drums; Freddie Washington, bass; Arthur Adams, guitar; Lenny Castro, percussion; Oscar Brashear, trumpet; and Joel Peskin on tenor sax. Sat. Nov. 30-96 9 RM. Until... House Of Sound 3620 N. Williams * Museum Members Adults Seniors/Students (16 and over) Students 115 and under) $3 at the door Free $6 00 $4 50 $2 50 DtUiTvrrmtf Elin Rulcu is organized and circulated by the San Diego Museum ol Art The exhibition is made possible by Ford Motor Company INFO:282-9062 21 and older Jam aican Food & drinks available!! The Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday 10 am to 5 pm Every Wednesday and the First Thursday of each month open until 9 pm The local presentation is made possible by a gift from Ford Credit Media support from Fox 49 KPDX | 1219 SW Park A v e n u e 15 0 3 1 2 2 6 - 2 8 1 I Fills Ruley D*«4p*a«iM
