Tag: Montavilla Jazz

Entertainment, Event

Montavilla Jazz Festival 2025 Starts Aug 29

Next Friday, the 12th annual Montavilla Jazz Festival (MJF) will kick off a weekend full of 26 featured concerts in five venues across the neighborhood and locations in Portland’s Eastside. The three-day celebration of musical artistry starts on Friday, August 29th, and runs through Sunday, the 31st, featuring free-donation-based and paid ticketed events. Each year, MJF brings music fans of all ages to the neighborhood and expands Portlanders’ appreciation for jazz.

12th Annual Montavilla Jazz Festival promotional banner featuring event dates August 29-31, 2025, with a colorful geometric design.
Graphic courtesy Montavilla Jazz Festival

The yearly late summer music programming spans indoor venues and outdoor locations such as Mt. Tabor Caldera Amphitheater and Montavilla’s SE 79th Avenue Street Plaza. The MJF website has a detailed list of event locations, times, and links to secure tickets or reservations when necessary. Portland Metro Arts at SE 90th Avenue and Stark Street will present two nights of performances, with The 1905 and Alberta Rose Theatre hosting additional MJF performances.

Thanks to Prosper Portland’s Scale Up Grant in 2024, MJF leaders say the festival doubled attendance with more than twice the number of performances as the previous year. They hope that trend will continue with a second year of grant support. MJF is the only Portland festival focused on original music from the city’s jazz artists. Performances will feature the rising stars and creative artists connected to Portland.

MJF now offers a three-tiered pass system for concerts in Montavilla. A free with donation “Tabor Village Weekend” grants attendees access to four concerts over two nights at Mt. Tabor Park’s Caldera Amphitheater, and six SoundsTruck NW Stage concerts at the Montavilla Plaza on SE 79th Avenue and Stark Street. People purchasing the “Jazz Adventure” pass can use an MJF Shuttle running from the park through Montavilla to the Plaza and Portland Metro Arts. The up to $249 “VIP Experience” pass grants seating and parking perks. Additional concerts, ticketed individually, will take place at the Alberta Rose Theatre and The 1905.

A diverse audience seated under tents at an outdoor event, enjoying the performances at the Montavilla Jazz Festival.
2024 MJF attendees at the SoundsTruck NW Stage next to the Montavilla Plaza

For the third year, MJF honors the late Portland City Commissioner Nick Fish’s contribution to the city’s jazz community by presenting an award in his name. On August 31st, presenters will deliver this year’s Nick Fish Jazz Community Award to bandleader, broadcaster, and percussionist Nick Gefroh. The city’s jazz community credits Gefroh with starting the first Latin Jazz band in Portland and significantly shaping the regional jazz landscape.

People interested in attending should look at the event schedule and secure their access. All festival events require passes for entry. Everyone in the neighborhood should plan for a busier weekend around event locations starting on August 29th. Check with local businesses offering MJF specials around the festival, as some will host DJs and late-night sets.

Correction: An earlier version of this article indicated that it was taking place this Friday instead of the following Friday, August 29th. Montavilla News regrets this error.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

Community, Entertainment, Event, Food and Drink

Montavilla Jazz Festival Starts Aug 30

The 11th annual Montavilla Jazz Festival (MJF) will begin at the end of August with a weekend full of music events in the neighborhood and locations across Portland’s Eastside. The three-day celebration of local artistry starts on Friday, August 30th, and runs through Sunday, September 1st, with free and ticketed events. Each year, MJF brings music fans of all ages to the neighborhood and expands the general appreciation for jazz.

The yearly late summer music programming spans outdoor locations such as Mt. Tabor Park and Montavilla’s SE 79th Avenue Street Plaza. Neighborhood businesses will also become venues during the festival, including BoneJax, Montavilla Brew Works, Vino Veritas, Beer Brats & Beats, Portland Metro Arts, Threshold Brewing & Blending, and Beer Bunker’s patio. The MJF website has a detailed list of event locations, times, and links to secure tickets or reservations when necessary. Area businesses Yaowarat, Vino Veritas, Threshold Brewing, and The Observatory will offer nightly food and drink specials and entertainment during the three-day event. The Academy Movie Theater will participate in the celebration through special showings of the 1958 film noir classic “Elevator to the Gallows,” featuring a jazz-rich score by Miles Davis. Beyond the Montavilla area, Strum, The 1905, and Alberta Rose Theatre will host additional MJF performances.

Thanks to Prosper Portland’s Scale Up Grant for summer 2024, MJF can offer more than twice the number of performances than the previous year. It is the only Portland festival focused on original music from the city’s jazz artists. Preferences will feature the rising stars and creative artists connected to Portland. The 29 events include free concerts, three student stages, and a return to Mt. Tabor Park’s Caldera Amphitheater for two free concerts on Friday, August 30th.

Lynn Darroch, photo by Brenda Moseley and provided courtesy MJF

For the second year, MJF honors the late Portland City Commissioner Nick Fish’s contribution to the city’s jazz community by presenting an award in his name. On August 31st, presenters will deliver this year’s Nick Fish Jazz Community Award to writer, broadcaster, and performer Lynn Darroch. The jazz radio host on KMH is also an author and recording artist with an in-depth perspective on the local musicians who shape the regional jazz sound.

With added free events and more Montavilla locations, this is an excellent year to explore Montavilla Jazz’s contribution to the music community and discover a new appreciation for a foundational style of American music. People interested in attending should look at the event schedule now to find out if they need reservations or tickets to particular shows. Everyone should plan for a busier weekend around event locations starting on August 30th and consider visiting local businesses with MJF specials for unique menu options.

by

Jacob Loeb

Main article image by Norm Eder provided courtesy MJF, featuring Todd Marston and the Integer Quintet

VENUES: 

Entertainment, Event, View of Montavilla

Free Concert Rolls onto Mt Tabor

On August 20th, SoundsTruck NW will roll its new mobile stage to the summit of Mount Tabor for a free concert titled Mount Immigration. Performances will feature Illegal Son with Matthew Holmes and Joe Kye with Cory Limuaco starting at 1 p.m. The Sunday event is part of a site-inspired, cross-cultural summer concert series.

The free Mt. Tabor Park performance features trombonist and composer Illegal Son (Denzel Mendoza), followed by the award-winning musician, storyteller, and 2023 Oregon Arts Commission Fellow Joe Kye. The ensemble of accomplished musicians will draw on the movements of Mt. Tabor’s landscape to examine the nature of migration and immigration. Composed using personal experiences, the music and sounds capture an emotional interpretation of life labeled as an immigrant.

SoundsTruck NW created this public concert in partnership with the Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO) and Montavilla Jazz. The 90-minute event takes place atop Mt. Tabor at SE Harvey Scott Circle. People can access the site via the SE 69th Avenue stairs or a paved access road. Nearby parking is limited, so plan for some walking.

By

Jacob Loeb

Images in this article provided by SoundsTruck NW

“Musician and storyteller Joe Kye draws inspiration from the natural movements of Mt. Tabor’s lush, urban, mountain landscape. Joined by percussionist Cory Limuaco, he’ll perform original songs while weaving in improvisational moments, interacting with the audience and the park setting to create new sonic environments. Focusing on creativity, community, and identity, Kye’s work taps into an inner core, inspiring audiences to compassion and empathy. Drawing upon his immigrant upbringing, Kye weaves together electronic and acoustic textures, catchy melodies, and vocals to uplift and empower listeners. Trombonist and composer Denzel Mendoza is Illegal Son, and opens for Joe with bassist Matthew Holmes. A Filipino National born in Singapore, raised in Las Vegas, NV; studied in NYC, NY, and based in Portland, OR; Mendoza has lived in the United States for the majority of his life but yet, he continues to chase the American Dream. Since 2004, Mendoza has been an Undocumented Immigrant. Illegal Son is quite simply his emotional and vulnerable interpretation of life as Undocumented through sound and music.” – SoundsTruck NW –

Community, Event

10th Annual Montavilla Jazz Festival

Tonight, supporters of the music community will gather for the 10th Annual Montavilla Jazz Festival Season Reveal Fundraiser at two venues. Proceeds from the event will help fund this milestone jazz festival. Attendees will begin inside Flattop & Salamander at 6:00 p.m. and conclude the event at 9 p.m., two blocks away inside Strum PDX. The festivities will include live jazz, soul food, and musical “surprises” to celebrate a decade of hi-lighting Portland’s rich musical community.

Starting Monday, May 22nd, tickets will go on sale for the yearly three-day musical event. This season’s Montavilla Jazz Festival spans five venues and features 11 concerts showcasing Portland’s renowned jazz musicians. The festival begins with a world premiere of Views of an Urban Volcano, a three-part commission inspired by Portland’s Mt. Tabor. That project features a 12-member Portland Jazz Composers Ensemble and includes new works influenced by a series of community input events. Performances run from September 1st through the 3rd, with two concerts live-streamed for those who can not attend in person. Montavilla Jazz leaders will announce the full lineup on Saturday, May 20th, at Montavilla Jazz’s Season Reveal Fundraiser. Event organizers will post more information about the event on montavillajazz.org starting Monday.

Alan Jones – Photo by Kathryn Elsesser and provided courtesy Montavilla Jazz.

September’s Montavilla Jazz Venues include:
Mt. Tabor Park Caldera Amphitheater
Alberta Rose Theatre (3000 NE Alberta Street)
Portland Metro Arts (9003 SE Stark Street) – Live Streamed and in-person
The 1905 (830 N Shaver Street) – Live Streamed and in-person

By

Jacob Loeb

Community, Entertainment, Event

Free Public Events Focused on Mt. Tabor Park

Beginning in March, Montavilla Jazz and Portland Jazz Composers Ensemble (PJCE) will host informative events revealing Mt. Tabor’s history in relationship to marginalized communities and examining its current influence. Three composers will use these events to create new musical works performed at the 2023 Montavilla Jazz Festival’s free public concert held in Mt. Tabor Park on September 1st, 2023. The three-part series is titled Views of an Urban Volcano and is free to attend with advanced registration.

Views of an Urban Volcano will take place Sunday, March 5th, at 2 p.m. at the Oregon Historical Society, Saturday, March 18th, at 4 p.m. at Taborspace’s Copeland Commons, and Saturday, April 15th, at 10:30 a.m. in Mt. Tabor Park. The composers, currently being selected through a panel review process, will attend each event to build a shared understanding of this iconic park’s role in the city. They will use those experiences to craft musical pieces that the 12-member PJCE group performs at the 10th Annual Montavilla Jazz Festival. Community participation is needed to feed this creative process. The organizers encourage people to register now to reserve free tickets to the events.

Views of an Urban Volcano: A discussion on Mt. Tabor Park
March 5th, 2023, 2–3:30 pm at Oregon Historical Society
1200 SW Park Avenue

The event features a panel discussion on the history and impacts of Mt. Tabor Park from the perspectives of Portland’s Chinese, Black, and Indigenous communities from 1896–2020. Light refreshments will be available. Panelists include Hap Pritchard, Board Member, Friends of Mt. Tabor Park; David Harrelson, Cultural Resources Department manager and member of The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde; Darrell Millner, Professor Emeritus of Black Studies at Portland State University; and Dr. Marie Wong, Professor Emerita, Seattle University Institute of Public Service, Asian Studies, and Public Affairs.

Views of an Urban Volcano: Community Forum
March 18th, 2023, 4–5 pm at Taborspace’s Copeland Commons
5441 SE Belmont Street

An open forum for lovers of Mt. Tabor Park to share their own stories about its significance with the composers. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet the selected composers and project leads and contribute to the community-driven creative process.

Views of an Urban Volcano: Guided Tour of Mt. Tabor Park
April 15, 2023, at 10:30 am at Mt. Tabor Park Visitor Center
SE Salmon Way and SE Park Drive

Led by Friends of Mt Tabor Park, this 90-minute guided tour of the park will begin at the Mt. Tabor Visitor Center and highlight historical and cultural points of interest and the park’s impressive vistas. Participants should dress for the weather and bring their questions.

Views of an Urban Volcano is presented in partnership with Friends of Mt. Tabor Park and the Oregon Historical Society with support from Oregon Cultural Trust and Regional Arts and Culture Council.

By

Jacob Loeb

Community, Event

Residents Invited to May 26th Vestal Event

Later this month, Montavilla’s Vestal Elementary School will host its annual Social Justice Night. Starting at 4:30 p.m. on May 26th, Students and professional artists will showcase their work featuring collaborative artistic creations focused on community diversity and family identity. These themes represent two of Vestal’s five pillars of social justice. Organizers anticipate that this evening full of art, food, music, and community will strengthen the school’s role as a hub within this diverse neighborhood.

Funded in 2022 by a Metro’s Community Placemaking grant, with collaboration from PSU’s Artist as Citizen Initiative and arts nonprofit Montavilla Jazz, Vestal Elementary expects to expand programming for the yearly event. A welcoming dinner will occur before the performance at The Yard food carts, located directly across from the school, with complimentary meals coordinated with support from Samira Mohamed, owner of Mira’s East African Cuisine.

Before the event, the Artist as Citizen Initiative will lead PSU Capstone students and Vestal 4th graders in projects designed to build artistic skills in storytelling, interviewing, and creativity. All works center on community diversity and family identity, using information gathered in interviews with fellow students and community members. The artists will display their student-led social justice exhibits at the May event.

Located outdoors on the playground and inside the gymnasium at 161 NE 82nd Avenue, the Social Justice Night will include performances by renowned jazz musicians, including Grammy award-winning trombonist Denzel Mendoza. He is joined by Machado Mijiga, saxophonist Mary-Sue Tobin, and other performers and educators from the community.

For those who can not attend in person, PSU students will create a multipart podcast documentary featuring themes from the evening. PSU’s Sonic Arts and Music Production (SAMP) students and Friends of Noise will utilize field recordings captured during the creative phase of the project and at the May 26th event. Montavilla Jazz will distribute the podcast on montavillajazz.org, in addition to broadcasts on local radio stations.

Vestal community members, partners, and neighborhood residents are all invited to attend. Come hungry for food, music, and artistic expression.

By

Jacob Loeb

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