Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (April 20, 2016)
April 20, 2016 Page 15 Exploring ‘Jazz Town’ C ontinued froM P age 2 gon Experience half-hour docu- mentary “Jazz Town” examines the eruption of music and nightlife in black clubs of north and north- east Portland in the 1940s and 50s. A signiicant chapter in the city’s cultural narrative, this short- lived period is largely unknown to many Oregonians. World War II brought a great wave of workers and their fam- ilies from across the country to work in the shipyards of Portland. During this time, the city’s Afri- can-American population grew from 2,000 to nearly 22,000. Many individuals moved into Vanport, a large tract of wartime housing built just north of Port- land. Most of those not living in Vanport crowded into Portland’s Albina District. Many of the newcomers came with a shared passion for rhythm and blues and contemporary, danceable jazz, but their options for entertainment were limited. Segregation was permitted by law, and Portland offered few venues for African-Americans to perform or to listen to music. As the population in the Al- bina neighborhood swelled, the music scene intensiied. Some of the country’s most famous jazz players—who may have passed by Portland in earlier years— began to make it a destination. Duke Ellington, Louis Arm- strong, Wardell Gray and Lionel Hampton became frequent visi- tors, and pianists Warren Bracken and Frank Martin even moved to the city. Additionally, Portland pro- duced many of its own home- grown artists who developed at what one of them called the “University of Williams Avenue” and would go on to ind national and international fame. This in- cludes Floyd Standifer, who grew up outside of Gresham on a farm, trumpeter Carl Hilding “Doc” Severinsen from Arlington, sax- ophone player Jim Pepper and drummer Mel Brown. Presented largely through irst- hand accounts from local resi- dents, “Jazz Town” showcases the music and the parade of musi- cians that helped to put Portland on the jazz map. The program also tells the story of a margin- alized community born of racial discrimination that proceeded to thrive during that time. OPB is also hosting a free, public screening of “Jazz Town” on Thursday, April 21 at the Port- land Community College Cas- cade Campus in north Portland. The event begins at 7 p.m. “Jazz Town” airs Monday, April 25 at 9 p.m. on OPB TV and is available to watch online now at opb.org/jazztown. It Does Good Things TM This page is sponsored by Oregon Lottery R C alendar April 2016 MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY 11 12 13 14 President Johnson signs the Civil Rights Act, 1964 (1964) 18 Paul Revere’s Famous Ride (1775) Great San Francisco Earthquake In 1906. Pet Owner’s Day Space Shuttle Columbia First Launched Crewed by John Young and Robert Crippen - 1981 19 Humorous Day Revolutionary War began (1775) 25 26 Anzac Day (Australia, New Zealand) Hubble Telescope launched, 1990 World Penguin Day Hug a Friend Day National Pretzel Day Seismologist Charles Richter born, 1900 3rd President Thomas Jefferson born, 1743 Lee Bennett Hopkins born, 1938 Webster’s Dictionary Published, 1828 Titanic Struck sank at 2:20 AM on April 15. 20 21 Scientists Marie & Pierre Curie isolate radium (1902) 27 Administrative Professionals/ Secretaries Day Tell a Story Day Kindergarten Day Barbara Park born, 1947 28 Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day Take your Daughter to Work Day FRIDAY SATURDAY 15 16 Income Tax Day Artist/Inventor Leonardo Da Vinci born, 1452 22 Earth Day established 1970 Girl Scout Leader Appreciation Day 29 Arbor Day Zipper Day (patented by Gideon Sundback in 1913) Garth Williams born, 1912 Aviator Wilbur Wright born, 1867 23 Passover Begins at Sundown William Shakespeare born, 1564 30 National Honesty Day Anniversary Louisiana Purchase completed (1803) SUNDAY 17 Sherlock Hemlock’s Birthday (Sesame Street character) 24 Library of Congress established (1800) Pigs-in-a-Blanket Day