The Bridgetown Sextet performs authentic, energetic roots jazz from the 1920s, 30s and 40s, with a sound evoking Creole New Orleans, the stomp of prohibition era Chicago, fast-paced Harlem stride piano, and the tight swing of depression era Manhattan. Portland natives Andrew Oliver and Scott Kennedy assembled this group out of a long standing desire to create fresh but genuine music inspired by the forms of early jazz as heard on the records of Jelly Roll Morton, Benny Goodman, Count Basie, Louis Armstrong, Billie Holliday, and Duke Ellington among many others. The group has worked to capture the natural feel of these early jazz innovations- the drive, energy, and spontaneity that characterize them- while fostering a unique and inventive sound that would move beyond mere traditionalism and preservation in the interest of crafting new music.
CASEY MACGILL’S BLUE 4 TRIO
The Palmetto Bug Stompers are one of the finest purveyors of traditional and New Orleans jazz. With a wide and varied background of musical influences, the Bugs get the crowd up and make ‘em swing. They have performed at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, French Quarter Festival and Lincoln Center’s Mid Summer Night Swing. They are a favorite of Lindy Hop dancers, performing at many of their showcases across the country. The band consists of Washboard Chaz on washboard and vocals, Robert Snow on acoustic bass, John Rodli on guitar and vocals, Will Smith on trumpet and vocals, Bruce Brackman on clarinet and Paul Robertson on trombone. Come check them out and be ready to dance.
Proving that hot jazz and vintage pop of the 1920’s and ’30s is as relevant as ever in the present day, the Midnight Serenaders provide an infectious and irreverent take on the raucous and carefree music of “The Jazz Age.” Far from a simple repertory band, they infuse their repertoire with a genuine groove and energy truly appropriate to this revolutionary music that took the country by storm in its heyday. Led by the charming frontline of crooner/rhythm guitarist Doug Sammons and ukelele-strumming chanteuse Dee Settlemier, the Serenaders’ repertoire consists of classics by the likes of Fats Waller and Ethel Waters, obscure tunes by Clarence Williams carefully unearthed by the band, and an increasing number of Settlemier’s originals which mesh indistinguishably with the classic repertoire.
From Portland, Oregon, Swing Papillon is a quartet rooted in the tradition of gypsy jazz and the Hot Club of France.
“One of Portland’s best secrets. Walking into a Swing Papillon performance is like suddenly, magically stepping into a French bistro in 1945 where Django and Stephane happen to be playing. And the solos are guaranteed to drop your jaw. Don’t miss out on your chance to see some of the best instrumentalists you’ve ever seen tear up a string, in this town or anywhere! Swing Papillon is truly Le Jazz Hot!” – Daniel Flessas, host of KBOO.fm’s “The Outside World”