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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (May 13, 2015)
Page A8 May 13, 2015 Jazz Students and Mentor Impress C ontinued from P age A1 rector, who has been involved in the Port- land’s jazz scene for 40 years. Memory, who founded the American Music Program in 2005 as a regional jazz youth orchestra, has been in poor health in recent years due to complications from di- abetes. “There’s an emotional commitment to playing ‘Tattooed Bride’ from memory. No professional group does that,” Marsalis said backstage. “American Music Program wanted to play that for their band director, Thara Memory. They love him. They want- ed him to feel it. ... For this band to play at that level, it was a great achievement.” Memory won a Grammy with his for- mer student Esperanza Spalding in 2013 for Best Instrumental Arrangement Ac- companying Vocalists for the song “City of Roses” from her album “Radio Music Society.” The track also features students from the American Music Program. The three-day Essentially Ellington competition featured 15 finalist bands — chosen from among 88 entries — perform- ing Ellington compositions. --Associated Press Advertise with diversity in Portland Observer The Call 503-288-0033 or email ads@portlandobserver.com