August 2026 Check-In's

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George Colligan At
The 1905, Portland, Oregon
Saturday, August 1, 2026, 8:30 PM

George Colligan (piano); Ken Mastrogiovanni (drums); Eric Gruber (bass); Joe Manis (tenor sax).

George Colligan is not only one of the great jazz pianists of his generation, but he has earned an international reputation as a multi-instrumentalist (drums, trumpet, organ, keyboards), composer, accompanist, teacher, and bandleader, as well as popular blogger (jazztruth.blogspot.com (http://jazztruth.blogspot.com/)). Winner of the 2015 DownBeat magazine Critics Poll (Keyboard), he has had a long association with living jazz legend Jack DeJohnette; recent touring took Colligan around the U.S. with "An Evening with Jack DeJohnette and Savion Glover."

He has also recently toured the U.S. and Canada as a leader with his trio featuring legends Buster Williams and Lenny White. With over 130 albums to date as an accompanist, Colligan has worked with a long list of jazz greats, including John Scofield, Buster Williams, Cassandra Wilson, Don Byron, Ravi Coltrane, Chris Botti, and many others.

Olivia Fields Trio At
Corkscrew Wine Bar, Portland, Oregon
Monday, August 3, 2026, 7-9 PM

Wine Tasting At
Chehalem Estate Tastingn Room,
31500 NE Bell Road, Sherwood, Oregon 97140
Tuesday, August 4, 2026

We were at our bi-annual cleaning at our dentist located in Sherwood, Oregon. Every time we go to our dentist we noticed there were a lot of signs indicating nearby vineyards and wineries. As long as we were in the area, we thought we should visit one of these many wineries. It is a 40 minute drive to our dentist, and a 90 minute drive back to our Vancouver home if we get caught up in the evening rush hour traffic. So as long as we have to drive so far, we decided to make it more worth it by visiting one of the wineries. Maybe during our future dental visits we will visit some of the others.

We ordered two of the Single Vineyard Flights along with a Cheese and Charcuterie plate and Chehalem Cookies. After finishing the flight, we ordered a bottle of the 2015 Statement Pinot Noir, we each had a glass of that and brought the remainder of the bottle home. Our server explained that if we joined their wine club, the two $40 wine tastings (total = $80) would be free, we could purchase 3 bottles of the 2022 Ridgecrest Vineyard Pinot Noir, and we'd get 15% off everything else we had ordered today making the total bill come up to about the same as what we would pay by not joining the wine club. Plus we can get free wine flight tastings for up to 4 people every day that we come to any Stoller or Chehalem wine tasting room and many other benefits. But, we have to decide before our next scheduled wine club delivery in February 2027 if we want to cancel our wine club membership before having to pay for the next wine club delivery.

After we got home, I decided to create an account at Stoller Wine Group, who now own the Chehalem Winery. To my surprise, they had prior orders from me on file! We probably previously visited the Stoller Vineyard & Winery in Dayton, Oregon. I don't remember doing so, but we did visit some wineries in the area with Dena David, former owners of Vino Nosta in Fullerton, California, and on a later wine shuttle tour of Dayton. But on neither occassion did I remember the names of the wineries that we visited. Evidently we previously purchased wine from Stoller on July 3, 2015, August 4, 2020, and August 15, 2020!

Christopher Brown Quartet At
The 1905, Portland, Oregon
Wednesday, August 5, 2026, 8:30 PM

John Nastos (Alto Sax); Greg Goebel (Piano); Garrett Baxter (Bass); Christopher Brown (Drums).

Upon Christopher Brown's return to Portland in 2012-which was preceded by 13 years in the NYC area, as well as four years in the Marine Corps-the assemblage of his quartet quickly became one of note. And by 2017, his quartet had officially become the most visible Jazz group in all of Portland, with a steady weekly cadence of 3-4 performances, which was maintained until the start of the global pandemic. And even then, it took them no more than three months to return to a similar weekly performance schedule. Since 2017, the quartet has created a home for themselves at the famed 1905 Jazz club in Portland. And through their regular performances, they've not only helped to raise the profile of the venue to one of the world's top 100 Jazz clubs according to Down Beat Magazine, but of Jazz itself in Portland. So in a market where it's difficult to maintain group's with the same personnel, it's arguable that the Christopher Brown Quartet succeeds as being one of (if not the best) Jazz "group" in all of Portland, which in turn gives them such a powerful, polished, and identifiable sound that can now be heard on his debut album "Sole City" on the PJCE record label.

Fenix Rising Blues Band At
The Blue Diamond, Portland, Oregon
Thursday, August 6, 2026

Stephen's 75th Birthday Celebration At
Gustav's German Restaurant, Vancouver, Washington
Shelli Tucker, Barbara & Me
Friday, August 7, 2026

Reggie Houston Quintet
The 1905, Portland, Oregon
Saturday, August 8, 2026, 8:30 PM

Reggie Houston (Saxophones); Michael Elson (Piano); Patrick Harry (Acoustic Bass); Reinhardt Melz (Drum).

A seventh-generation New Orleanian, Reggie Houston was born on July 2, 1947, to Ralph Houston, a pianist and acoustic bassist, and Margarete Houston, an educator and social activist. Reggie embraced education and followed in his parents footsteps to become an arts education advocate, teacher, and world-renowned saxophonist.

Reggie was inspired to study saxophone at age 10, after seeing Ray Charles play alto sax at Lincoln Beach Amusement Park, where Fats Domino also performed during Reggie's childhood. Years later, Reggie would share the stage with both musical giants, and spend 22 years as a member of Fats Domino's band, before moving to Portland, Oregon in 2004.

When funk first developed, exploding onto the scene, Reggie was there-not as an observer, but as a 13 year-old musician playing his first professional gigs with legendary keyboardist David Batiste Sr. and The Gladiators, widely accepted as one of the preeminent and pioneering bands of funk.

Reggie knows the music. It is in his blood. He can trace the many, varied styles and influences of southeast Louisiana music all the way back to pre-colonial Africa. It is this knowledge, coupled with the strong arts education tradition of his hometown that gave rise to Reggie's newest project, Anonymous Legends: A History of New Orleans Music-the culmination of Reggie's life's work.

Celebrating Nick's Birthday At
Burrito Azteca, 1942 N Rosa Parks Way, Portland, Oregon 97217
Nick & Jodina, Barbara & Me
Sunday, August 9, 2026, 4 PM

Ali Ryerson Quartet At
The 1905, Portland, Oregon
Monday, August 10, 2026, 8:30 PM

Ali Ryerson - flute, Jasnam Daya Singh - piano, Bill Athens - bass, Ken Ollis - drums

With a career spanning over five decades, jazz flutist Ali Ryerson consistently ranks among the top flutists in the prestigious Downbeat Jazz Poll. Born in 1952 in New York, Ali grew up in a musical family. Her father, Art Ryerson, was a renowned jazz guitarist who got his start during the Big Band era with the Paul Whiteman Orchestra, and later, became a top studio/session player in NYC, recording with everyone from Louis Armstrong, Charlie Parker, Errol Garner, Sarah Vaughn, Frank Sinatra, to Elvis Presley. He was also the first electric guitarist to perform and tour with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra of New York.

Ali has successfully carried on the family tradition, becoming an international touring and recording artist, with performances ranging from Carnegie Hall to the famed Blue Note jazz club (NY and Japan) to the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., plus festival and club appearances worldwide. Ryerson has released over two dozen albums on major labels, including Concord Records, Capri Records, and Red Baron (for legendary jazz producer, Bob Thiele).

Ryerson has worked with jazz greats such as Red Rodney, Hubert Laws, Roy Haynes, Kenny Barron, Frank Wess, Holly Hofmann, Stephane Grappelli, Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, as well as classical artists Julius Baker and, while principal flutist with the Monterey Bay Symphony, with Luciano Pavarotti. Ryerson had a long-time collaboration with renowned jazz guitarist, the late Joe Beck, with whom she toured and recorded for nearly a decade. Ali, a classically trained musician, studied with Harold Bennett (principal flutist with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra) and John Wion (principal flutist with the New York City Opera Orchestra), and earned her performance degree from the Hartt College of Music (University of Hartford). She has served as Jazz Chair and Low Flutes Chair for the National Flute Association, was the founder of the NFA Jazz Flute Big Band and was NFA Program Chair for the 2023 National Flute convention in Phoenix. As an educator, Ryerson's 'Jazz Flute Practice Method' is widely acclaimed. She conducts master classes worldwide in addition to her long-running annual masterclass in California, and teaches a popular online series for Lessonface. As a composer, Ryerson has received numerous commissions. Her flute works, ranging from solo to large flute ensemble, are published by Tetractys, Theodore Presser, Edition Kossack and ACR Music, and performed internationally by numerous artists and ensembles. Ryerson has an autograph series of flutes (C and alto) made by Gemeinhardt Musical Instruments. Ali Ryerson is a Sankyo Flute Artist.

Tyler Waltner's Overbridge Trio At
Jo Bar & Rotisserie, Portland, Oregon
Wednesday, August 12, 2026

A Late Indian Buffet Lunch At
Namaste Indian Cuisine, Portland, Oregon
One of the largest and best spiced Indian Buffets we've ever eaten at!
Just $20 per person served 11 AM to 9:30 PM every day.
Thursday, August 13, 2026

The above are 3 separate buffet stations, not 2 photos of the same station. There are so many different items, that even if I only took one tablespoon of each item, I'd end up with more food on my plate than I could consume!

Full Zoo Band (Facebook) At
Billy Blues Bar & Grill, Vancouver, Washington
Friday, August 14, 2026

Picking Up Our Quarterly Club Bottle At
Westward Whiskey, Portland, Oregon
Saturday, August 15, 2026

We picked up both the club bottle for this quarter but also the one from the prior quarter as we were out of town for that pickup event. They also gave us a free smaller bottle of whiskey as a thank you for picking up our bottle in person rather than them having to ship it to us. As you can see above, they had an entire food layout for the event. They also served samples of the current new whiskey release and one from a year ago plus free Old Fashioned Cocktails. Jonathan was also there who used to provide the whiskey education classes but has now moved on to the custom barrel dividion of Westward Whiskey.

Dinner & Live Jazz by
Mitzi Zilka on Vocals with Tony Pacini Trio At
Wilf's Restaurant at the Amtrak Station, Portland, Oregon
Saturday, August 15, 2026

Wilfs sent me an email with a $35 credit for my birthday so we decided to use it today. We hadn't been to Wilfs in a while. When we first moved to the Portland area we used to come here all the time, even celebrating 2 New Years here until we discovered many other places that have live music. Wilfs Restaurant is inside the Portland Amtrak Station. The photo of the Portland Amtrak Station is courtesy of Carl Morrison.

Ron Steen Jazz Jam Every Sunday at
Clydes Prime Rib, Portland, Oregon
Sunday, August 16, 2026

The jazz jam is always good with some nights better than others. The food is good but the venue arrangement is terrible. Unless one gets there early to sit at one of the very few tables with a good view of the band, the enjoyment of the music is greatly reduced. A LOT of people at the bar are either not there for the music at all, or just regard it as background music to their conversations. Most people are just talking over the music which makes it very difficult to enjoy the music unless you manage to get one of the very few tables right in front of the band.

Blues Jam Every Sunday 8pm to Midnight At
Montavilla Station, Portland, Oregon
Sunday, August 16, 2026

We might start considering coming here instead of to Clydes Prime Rib on Sunday evenings. It is really easy to get seats here with a clear view of the band and the food and drinks are much less expensive here than at Clydes Prime Rib. The blues bands are great here. They also have live music other nights of the week. This place is less than 3 miles from Clydes Prime Rib.

Blue Note Mondays: Anandi Soul Revue with Horns At
Jo Bar & Rotisserie, Portland, Oregon
Monday, August 17, 2026

Les Caves Wine Bar
Tue-Sat 5pm-Midnight, Sun 3-10pm, 1719 NE Alberta St, Portland, Oregon
Wednesday, August 19, 2026

"No reservations. No waitlist. If you're here, we'll bring you wine. Our by the glass selections are chosen daily from our bottle list and change with the moods, tastes, and rhythms of our guests. Glass pours change constantly throughout the night: we have, at the most, six bottles open at a time, all culled from our bottle list. Refer to our board for current glass pour offerings." You can order one glass from any bottle on their wine list for just 25% of the bottle price. That then becomes the next wine to go up on their wines by the glass list.

Italian Experience At
Black Angus Steakhouse
Vancouver, Washington
Thursday, August 20, 2026

Kareem Kandi At
The 1905, Portland, Oregon
Saturday, August 22, 2026, 8:30 PM

A native of the Pacific Northwest, saxophonist Kareem Kandi is a performer, composer, and educator, in high demand for his talents both on and off the stage. Kareem is a versatile musician with strong roots in the traditions of Jazz, Blues, Classical and Funk, and has been performing throughout the U.S. and abroad for years, gaining attention from critics and audiences alike. While staying true to musical styles of the past, he also keeps an eye towards the future by composing original music as well as new arrangements of timeless songs from the great American songbook.

Since 1996, Kareem has been performing both as a bandleader and as a sideman to enthusiastic audiences around the world at concert halls, festivals, and clubs. Over the years Kareem has performed, toured and recorded with some of the finest musicians in the music industry including: Pete Christlieb, Patti Labelle, Mark Elf, Ali Jackson, D'vonne Lewis, Bill Watrous, The Seattle Symphony, Mordy Ferber, Julian Priester, The Paperboys, The Northwest Repertory Singers, Thomas Marriott, The Tacoma Symphony, Alex Duncan, Frazey Ford, DJ Hapa, The Polyrhythmics, Bill Ramsay, The Staxx Brothers, Jay Thomas, The Sabella Consort, Greta Matassa, The Temptations, Hadley Caliman, The Four Tops, The Harry James Orchestra, Wayne Bergeron, and many others. Because of his musical diversity, his group, The Kareem Kandi Band has a sound that is fresh, innovative, and appeals to a wide variety of audiences.

Growing up in the northwest with its vibrant music scene allowed Kandi the opportunity to study with, listen to, and perform with world class jazz artists residing in the area. Artists such as Tracy Knoop, Jay Thomas, Don Lanphere, Bill Ramsay, and Pete Christlieb had a large impact on Kareem early in his musical education. After finishing high school Kareem received a full scholarship to Olympic College in Bremerton WA where he earned an Associate in Arts and Sciences Degree. While completing his degree from Olympic College he received another full scholarship to attend Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle WA. Kareem attended Cornish and continued his music studies with many renowned jazz artists that served on the faculty at the time which included: Jovino Santos Neto, Julian Priester, Hadley Caliman, Dave Peck, Randy Halberstadt, Chuck Deardorf, and Jim Knapp. Kareem completed his Bachelor's degree from Cornish in 2002 and since then has been very active as a performer, composer, and teacher.

As an educator Kareem maintains a busy schedule teaching at The Tacoma School of the Arts as an artist in residence. He also maintains a full studio of forty private students, conducts weekly jazz classes at Ted Brown Music, coaches ensembles for Seattle JazzED, and regularly conducts masterclasses and workshops at schools around the Pacific Northwest. Along with his teaching duties he is also the director of The Kareem Kandi World Orchestra, The Tacoma Jazz Association, and has served on the Tacoma Arts Commission. Kareem is a performing artist and clinician for Conn-Selmer and D'addario Woodwinds.

Selection Of Maryhill (SOM) Fall Wine Club Pickup And
Dinner, Free Member Wine Flights and Live Music At
Maryhill Winery, Vancouver Waterfront, Washington
Sunday, August 23, 2026

We love this place as we can each enjoy what costs non-club members $30 each for a full wine flight, for free, and we could come here every day for 2 free wine flights if we wanted to! We usually come on Sunday, Monday or Wednesday when they have two hours of live music. We also enjoy the view of the Columbia River from anywhere in the wine tasting room. They have new menus that you can see above that have a LOT MORE food selections than what they had on their prior menu. Also, almost all of their staff know us and recognize us each time we come in.

Music Jam At
M&M Lounge
Sunday, August 23, 2026

We love this place too! They have a live music jam every Sunday evening from 8pm until 11pm with different players and singers taking their turns coming up and playing. There is usually one or more saxaphone player on many sets. This place has been in business for more than 80 years since 1946! It has a very extensive menu available from morning until after 9pm in the evening and even features breakfast all day long! The bar has a huge selection and the pours are very generous. The bartender always recognizes us every time we come in and even often comes to our table for a short friendly chat. We actually feel more recognized here by the staff than at The Fling in Santa Ana.

Tyler Waltner At
Jo Bar & Rotisserie, Portland, Oregon
Monday, August 24, 2026

Leon Cotter Quartet At
The 1905, Portland, Oregon
Wednesday, August 26, 2026, 8:30 PM

Greg Goebel - keys; Noah Mortola - drums; Garrett Baxter - bass; Leon Cotter - saxophone/clarinet

Saxophone/clarinet Leon Cotter has led a musical double life, spending much of the last decade touring the country with soul/blues band The California Honeydrops, while maintaining a reputation as a sought after sideman in Portland's local jazz scene. This April, he returns to the 1905 with an all star band: Greg Goebel on keys, Garrett Baxter on bass and Noah Mortola on drums. They'll be playing mostly original music, much of it influenced by South African, Congolese and Nigerian music, with a dose of Coltrane and New Orleans second line thrown in.

Ben Rice
and the Highway 99 All Stars blues band at
The Jack London Revue, Portland, Oregon
Friday, August 28, 2026 8 PM

Created back in 2004 as part of Seattle’s award-winning Highway 99 Blues Club, the All Stars boast heavy weight award-winning talent, and deliver deeply rooted blues, roots, and R&B. Featuring Bob Corritore, Lisa Mann, Ben Rice, Robin Moxey, Steve Sarkowsky, and Jeff Conlin.

Ben Rice and The PDX Hustle At
The Jack London Revue, Portland, Oregon
Friday, August 28, 2026 9:30 PM

Northwest Transit Band At
Celebrities Parkway Grill, Fairview, Oregon
Saturday, August 29, 2026

2 Free Member Wine Flights, Dinner, Live Music and a View Of The Columbia River At
Maryhill Winery, Vancouver Waterfront, Washington
Sunday, August 30, 2026

This is Maryhill Winery Member Appreciation Week so they gave us 25% off our food purchase plus 2 extra free pours which were the Premium Exclusives of Elephant Mountain Mourvedre and Otis Vineyard Syrah. In one of the above photos you can see T-shirts they are selling. I'd buy one, but I don't wear T-shirts. Barbara would buy one, but they don't have any with V-necks. I like them because they have stars showing the location of each AVA where Maryhill has vineyards. I think they actually have 7 vineyards as shown in the plaques in the above photo, but those 7 vineyards are only spread across 4 AVA which is why there are only 4 stars and not 7. The largets star is of the Columbai Valley, the AVA where they have their most vineyards. Someday we may drive out to their tasting room there which is just a bit more than 100 miles and a bit less than a 2 hour drive from our Vancouver home. We are also considering taking the Amtrak Empire Builder train from Vancouver to that Maryhill winery as there is a train station less than 5 miles from the winery.

Dinner At
Oswego Grill at Columbia Shores, Vancouver, Washington
Monday, August 31, 2026

This is our first time at this restaurant. We used to come here all the time when we lived in a condo across the street from this restaurant when it used to be "Beaches Restaurant". In the above right photo you can see the Northwynd condo complex where we used to live, a photo that I took from the parking lot of the Oswego Grill. The patio and many of the windows of the Oswego Restaurant have a wonderful view of the Columbia River.

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