February 2026 Check-In's

Saxophonist, teacher, musician!

Olivia is a Portland based saxophonist and teacher who holds a Masters Degree from the University of Oregon in Jazz Studies. As of now, Olivia can be heard playing with her group, The Olivia Fields Quintet, as well as various other musical projects around Oregon.

Currently, Olivia works as an Artist in Residence at various Portland Public Schools. Here, she leads group lessons for high school and middle school saxophone students, targeting essential skills like intonation, articulation, and great saxophone technique. Olivia also works as a PPS jazz band clinician, offering valuable insight and feedback to band directors on how to improve their bands' performances.

On top of her work as a PPS Artist in Residence, Olivia is proud of the work her private students do in lessons. Private students get a one hour- long lesson every week, and depending on the various goals of each student, lessons delve into various levels of saxophone technique, improvisation, transcription, and jazz history. Some of these students come to her with a beginning skill set while other students are college- level improvisors hoping to start a professional career. Regardless of age or skill, however, Olivia can help anyone play the saxophone to the best of their ability.

As a lifelong student, most of Olivia's time spent outside of the classroom is dedicated to deepening her own knowledge, appreciation, and understanding of music. Olivia takes weekly lessons with her teacher, Alan Jones, and works hard to continuously improve her skills as a saxophonist and jazz musician. Olivia is available for teaching private lessons, providing masterclasses, playing shows, and as a guest artist.

Fenix Rising (Sax) Blues Band At
The Blue Diamond, Portland, Oregon
Thursday, February 12, 2026

Click the above play button to view the video.

"That's Nasty!"
21 & Over Show
An Adult-Themed Showcase * Not For The Faint Of Heart!
Sonny Hess * Lisa Mann * JT Thomas
Lady Kat * Myrtle Brown * Kelly Pierce
6pm Cocktails & Appetizers * 8pm Music
Special Valentine Dinner Specials
Shelli Tucker, Barbara & Me
The Blue Diamond, Portland, Oregon
Friday, February 14, 2026

No photos are posted from this event as they asked us to not post photos due to the lyrics.

Mardi Gras
New Orleans, Louisiana
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Sunday - Wednesday, February 15-18, 2026

Member Preview Tastings of our February Release
Westward Whiskey PX Sherry Cask
Westward Whiskey, 65 SE Washington Street, Portland, OR 97214
Thursday, February 19, 2026, 7-8pm

We're opening the doors of the distillery exclusively for Whiskey Club members. Be among the very first to taste our upcoming release and connect with the Westward team and fellow members. This preview marks an exciting milestone for Westward -- the debut of our first-ever PX Sherry Cask finish. The Thursday event will be hosted by members of our leadership team: Thomas Mooney (Founder & CEO), Henry Green (Partner), and Mitch McDonald (Director of Sales) As a special pairing, members and their guests will also receive a locally crafted chocolate to enjoy alongside the PX Sherry Cask. Attendance is complimentary, but this is a private event exclusively for Westward Whiskey Club members so reservations are required. If you want an early sneak peek before full release details land in your inbox, this is your chance.

We got a chance to talk to the founder and CEO of Westward Whiskey and why they are going through the process of Chapter V Bankruptcy. They have new investors that will carry them through the bankruptcy and back into a prosperous future. Westward Whiskey is distributed throughout the Northwest as well as internationally. We've been at tastings at their massive warehouse and it is a much larger operation than we could ever have imagined.

Fenix Rising (Sax) Blues Band At
The Blue Diamond, Portland, Oregon
Thursday, February 19, 2026

The Blue Diamond was totally packed this evening! We couldn't even sit at any of our favorite tables. Before the Covid lockdowns it used to be packed like it was this evening. But after the Covid lockdowns, they introduced a $6 cover charge and the place became s ghost town. I was afraid it wasn't going to make and go out of business like many of our favorite have done after the end of the Covid lockdowns. But, they still have the $6 cover charge and they are packed once again. I guess with the rapidly improving President Trump economy, people feel that a $6 cover charge is no big deal.

Mystic Mama Band
Celebrating Mardi Gras At
The Blue Diamond, Portland, Oregon
Friday, February 20, 2026

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Delfayo Marsalis & The Uptown Jazz Orchestra
Jack London Revue, Portland, Oregon
Saturday, February 21, 2026, 7:30 PM, Doors open at 6:30 PM

In 2007, NEA Jazz Master and Grammy Award winning trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis formed the Uptown Jazz Orchestra (UJO) for the purpose of keeping important jazz music traditions alive; such as riff-playing, spontaneous group improvisations, and collective New Orleans instrumental polyphony. At the time, Marsalis realized that the New Orleans music community was lacking the infusion of young homegrown talent outside of the great brass band tradition, and chose to form an orchestra that could present traditional, classic, and modern compositions. with authenticity. Since that time, UJO has grown into one of the premier large ensembles in the world, releasing three CDs to critical acclaim, and touring locally, nationally, and internationally.

In 2008, Marsalis founded the educational program, "Swinging with the Cool School" (a soft introduction to jazz for hip tots and adults), which was used as an experimental form of music therapy at the New Orleans Children Hospital. The Cool School has since expanded to introduce live instrumental jazz to students around the country, with the intent of helping young people develop a relationship with music that has gradually disappeared from mainstream radio and media at large. Through these performances, UJO is able to introduce students (and adults) to the wide emotional range of instrumental music.

Since 2021, UJO has produced the annual Jazz at Congo Square Festival (JACS) to celebrate New Orleans culture by presenting live performances of musicians, poets, dancers, and Black Masking Indians to local and visiting audiences. JACS Festival also features local food, arts & craft vendors. Marsalis and the Uptown Jazz Orchestra plan to continue using the great legacy of American music to engage and hopefully inspire the younger generations for many years.

Click each of the above play buttons to view each video.

People kept coming up to us commenting that we had the best table in the house. Maybe we did, even though our table was way in the back of the room. It was Table 25, a high table well above the sunken area of the rest of the room. We had an absolutely unobstructed clear view of the entire stage above the heads of everyone. The table was listed as "obstructed view" but there were no obstuctions at all of our view of the stage except during the few times people were standing or dancing. If you watch some of the above videos all the way until the end, you will be able to see just how far we were from the stage. Fortunately, my mobile phone camera has an excellent zoom. To our surprise, Devin Phillips was one of the sax players in the band. We have seen Devin Phillips perform many times at various venues over the last 15 years in Portland.

Selection Of Maryhill February Club Party
In The Premium Club Room, Vancouver Waterfront, Washington
Sunday, February 22, 2026, 5pm-7pm

We are bringing SOM Club members together this Sunday for a special, relaxed gathering in our Premium Club Room, and you are invited. Join us for tastings of Premium Club Exclusive Vineyard Series wines. We will be pouring a curated lineup of Premium Exclusive Vineyard Series wines paired with thoughtfully prepared small bites, designed to make this an easy, enjoyable way to spend your Sunday. These small-lot selections showcase the depth and character of Maryhill. Whether you stay for a quick tasting or settle in and linger a bit longer, it is a great chance to connect, explore something new, and enjoy your member space. 21+ event, Two person limit per membership, Reservations are required. We kept this gathering intentionally simple and focused on what matters most, great wine, good company, and time to enjoy both. Make it a Sunday well spent, we will have the wine ready. $10 per person, applied as staff gratuity.

VANCOUVER will host in multiple time slots, featuring a charcuterie-style spread of small bites, including hummus, spinach dip, fresh breads, and a selection of meats and cheeses, thoughtfully paired with Premium Exclusive Vineyard Series wines for a relaxed and inviting tasting experience. As an added bonus, owners Craig and Vicki will be in attendance.

They started us off with a complimentary glass of wine of our choice from the current wine flight menu.
We both selected the Carbernet Franc, a wine we liked so much that we bought a case when it was on sale.

We selected the 5-7pm timeslot for the event as they normally have live music 4-6pm,
but today they had the live music 12-5pm, so we only got to enjoy it for a short while.

The event was held in the Premium Wine Club Member Room. We hadn't been in this room before as we are
Selection Of Maryhill (SOM) Club Members and not Premium Club Members.
We prefer the main room anyway as that is where the live music plays.

Both rooms of the Maryhill at the Vancouver Waterfront have a wonderful view of the Columbia River.
Above right is the railroad bridge used by the Amtrak Coast Starlight.

Above you can see the recently built apartments and condos at the Vancouver Waterfront.
Neither these buildings nor Maryhill nor any of the Vancouver Waterfront existed when we moved here in 2011!

Mel Brown B3 Organ Group At
The 1905 Jazz Club, Portland, Oregon
Sunday, February 22, 2026, 7:30 PM

The Mel Brown B3 Organ Group is usually made up of Mel Brown on drums, Louis Pain on organ, Renato Caranto on saxophone and often Dan Balmer on guitar. For tonights performance they had a guist guitarist in place of Dan Balmer. This group plays at many music venues throughout the Portland region.

I only recently discovered that the Mezcal form of Tequilla has a smokey flavor similar to the smokey flavor of Scotch whisky
from Islay that both Barbara and I love. That may become my new "go to" bar drink when any type of Islay Scotch is not available.


Click each of the above play buttons to view each video.

"If this band appeared in New York City, they'd be a sensation!" That was guitar great--and one-time Mel Brown bandmate--George Benson's reaction after hearing the Mel Brown B-3 Organ Group open for him back in September, 2003 at Oregon's prestigious Britt Festival.

In fact, this true all-star band--each member is widely viewed as tops in the Northwest on his instrument--has been a sensation for a long while now. With a collective resume that reads like a "Who's Who" of jazz, blues, and soul (all four members are Oregon Music Hall of Fame inductees), this group has the talent and confidence to be completely spontaneous--from their blistering solos to their improvised arrangements and segues. No wonder they've thrilled audiences wherever they've played.

Dinner, Free Member Wine Flights and
Live Music by The Big North Duo (+1) At
Maryhill Winery, Vancouver Waterfront, Washington
Monday, February 23, 2026

Click on any photo on this page for the original full size image.


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Dinner & Jazz by The Big Easy Band At
Conway's House Of Jazz, Clackamas, Oregon
Shelli Tucker, Barbara & Me
Tuesday, February 24, 2026, 7 PM

CLICK HERE to view Barbara in her flashing Mardi Gras outfit before we head to Conway's House of Jazz.




Click each of the above play buttons to view each video.
Judy Tapdancing in the above video on the right.

We decided to wear the outfits that we wore on our trip to Mardi Gras in New Orleans as The Big Easy Band plays all New Orleans jazz tunes. We got a lot of attention from the band and some of the audience. We explained that we just got back from Mardi Gras in New Orleans.

Upcoming:

Chuck Israels Jazz Orchestra
Jack London Revue, Portland, Oregon
Shelli Tucker, Barbara & Me
Thursday, February 26, 2026, 8 PM, Doors open at 7 PM

Featuring: Chuck Israels:Bass | John Nastos: Alto saxophone | Dave Evans: Tenor saxophone | Joe Manis: Baritone saxophone | Paul Mazzio: Trumpet | John Moak: Trombone | Dan Faehnle: Guitar | Michael Rodenkirch: Drums Note: Lineup may vary

Chuck Israels, revered as one of the preeminent bassists in the world, GRAMMY winner has performed and recorded with Billie Holiday, Benny Goodman, Herbie Hancock, John Coltrane, Bud Powell, Coleman Hawkins, Stan Getz, Bill Evans, J.J. Johnson, Rosemary Clooney, Tony Williams, Eric Dolphy, Jim Hall, Patti Austin, Gary Burton, George Russell, the Kronos String Quartet, and countless others.

Among Chuck's many recordings as a bassist, some outstanding ones include: Coltrane Time, with John Coltrane; My Point of View, with Herbie Hancock; Getz au Go-Go, with Stan Getz; and many recordings with the Bill Evans Trio, including The Town Hall Concert; The Second Trio; Trio '65; Live at the Trident; and Time Remembered. In 2020 Chuck won a GRAMMY for his work with opera star Joyce DiDonato on her recording "Songplay"

As an acclaimed composer and arranger, Chuck has written for Bill Evans, John Coltrane, Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, Berkshire Music Center, Richard Stoltzman, Eastman Jazz Ensemble, Swedish Radio Jazz Orchestra, West German Radio Jazz Orchestra, North German Radio Jazz Orchestra, Radio Denmark Jazz Orchestra, Hannover Symphony Orchestra, Metropole Orchestra, and others.

George Colligan Quartet Featuring Joe Manis and Kerry Politzer At
The 1905 Jazz Club, Portland, Oregon
Friday, February 27, 2026, 8:30pm

George Colligan - drums, Kerry Politzer - piano, Xylyn Hathaway - bass, Joe Manis - sax

George Colligan is primarily known as a jazz pianist, composer and educator; he is a full professor at Portland State University and has lived in Portland for 15 years. Before coming to Oregon, he was on the New York jazz scene and played with many of the living legends in Jazz, including Jack DeJohnette, John Scofield, Buster Williams, Cassandra Wilson, and many others. In this special event he will be featured as a drummer and a composer also featured in this group or a number of amazing Oregon based musicians: virtuoso, pianist in composer, Kerry Politzer saxophone wizard, Joe Manis and versatile and creative Bassist Xylyn Hathaway don't miss this incredible night of music.

Keith Brown Quintet
The 1905 Jazz Club, Portland, Oregon
Saturday, February 28, 2026, 8:30pm

Keith Brown piano Ken Maestrogiavani Drums Noah Simpson Trumpet Rob Rodriguez Bass Luke Turner Saxophone

Keith L. Brown is a distinguished pianist, composer, and educator, widely regarded as one of the most sought-after musicians in contemporary jazz. Rooted in R&B, Funk, Classical, Jazz, and Hip-Hop, his compositions and piano style seamlessly blend these influences, showcasing both deep tradition and modern innovation. With an exceptional command of jazz's rich language, Brown transitions effortlessly between hard swing, funk, and free improvisation--all while maintaining a distinctive artistic voice.

Born in Memphis, TN, and raised in Knoxville, TN, Brown began playing piano seriously at 18 and quickly established himself as a formidable force in jazz. He currently tours as the pianist for Grammy-nominated saxophonist and 2023 NEA Jazz Masters Fellowship recipient Kenny Garrett. His extensive collaborations include performances with Stefon Harris, Jazzmeia Horn, George Coleman, Greg Tardy, Camille Thurman, Terreon Gully, Willie Jones III, Endea Owens, Charles Tolliver, Buster Williams, Lenny White, Steve Turre, John Clayton, and many more--captivating audiences worldwide.

As a respected bandleader, Brown has headlined renowned venues and international jazz festivals, including the Jazz en Tete Festival in Clermont-Ferrand and Sunset Jazz Club. To date, he has released three full-length albums as a leader, with his latest project, Keith Brown Trio: African Ripples, earning four stars in Downbeat Magazine.

Music has always been woven into Brown's life. The son of revered composer, pianist, and educator Donald Brown, he was immersed in music from an early age, learning from his father's artistry and wisdom. His mother, Dorothy, and siblings, Kenneth, Donald Jr., and Cynthia, are all artists, making creativity a family tradition. Through his dedication to exploration, innovation, and reinvention, Brown honors his family's legacy and the musical ancestors who paved the way before him.

Now, he is passing along his knowledge as the Assistant Professor of Jazz and Contemporary Piano at the University of Oregon, inspiring the next generation of musicians.

"I am sure that is one that will make a tremendous contribution to the continuum of jazz and particularly jazz piano."" -- Mulgrew Miller

"Keith Brown is a phenomenal player! He has a great grasp on the language of the jazz piano masters and an ability to come from many directions; from hard swing to funk to free". -Greg Tardy

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