Tracing the historic steps of six-year-old Ruby Bridges to desegregate public schools in New Orleans in 1960, composer Darrell Grant’s “Step by Step: The Ruby Bridges Suite” for jazz ensemble and choir makes its Gulf Coast premiere June 22 at 10 pm at New Orleans’ Ernest N. Morial Convention Center as part of the 2017 Unitarian Universalist General Assembly. Grant, who will appear on piano and keyboard will be joined by music director Reverend Jason Shelton of First Unitarian Universalist Church of Nashville who also wrote the choral arrangements for the piece. Shelton and Grant have assembled an all-star cast of talent for the concert: drummer Brian Blade, saxophonist Rahsaan Barber, bassist Clark Sommers, cellist
Darrell Grant Partners with Spella Caffè to Support Jazz Education
Portland’s Jazz Hero Darrell Grant has teamed up with Portland coffee legend Andrea Spella to produce a special Spella Caffè roast, “MJ BREW,” inspired by Grant’s MJ New Quartet in honor of International Jazz Day, April 30. MJ New’s sophisticated chamber jazz venerates the classic cool of the legendary Modern Jazz Quartet (MJQ). To celebrate International Jazz Day, each sale of MJ BREW benefits PDX Jazz's The Incredible Journey Of Jazz (IJOJ) education program. Grant will be selling half-pound bags of MJ BREW at his upcoming tour locations paired with his album “Smokin’ Java” for $20, $5 of which will go back to PDX Jazz to support the IJOJ.
Read moreDarrell Grant Named Portland Jazz Hero by Jazz Journalist Association
Portland, Oregon’s great jazz pianist, composer, and educator Darrell Grant has been recognized as Portland’s Jazz Hero for 2017 by the national Jazz Journalist Association (JJA). Awards are presented to "Educators, Presenters, Philanthropists, Fans, Players and Recordings Producers--Hailed as 'Activists, Advocates, Altruists, Aiders and Abettors of Jazz'" who further the artform in their communities.
Read moreDarrell Grant Takes a Stand for Oregon’s Elliott State Forest
Image by Katie France.
Portland, Oregon-based jazz composer, pianist, and educator Darrell Grant is assembling artists in Elliott State Forest on Saturday, April 1, 2017 for a collaborative performance in celebration of and advocacy for Oregon’s Elliott State Forest. Grant is rallying forces to call further attention to the controversial Oregon land board vote on May 9.
Read moreDarrell Grant's MJ New Quartet, a West Coast Tribute to the MJQ, Tours Oregon in May 2017
Image by Nina Johnson.
MJ New, the classic jazz quartet led by pianist and composer Darrell Grant, is touring in the Oregon April 30–May 13, 2017. After selling out previous shows in Portland, Oregon, the quartet is offering both concerts and clinics throughout the state for a two week period beginning April 30.
Read morePairings Portland, One of Portland's Most Unique Establishments Turns Four
One-of-a-kind wine shop Pairings Portland, brainchild of wine fanatic Jeffrey Weissler and partner Megan Wilkerson, will celebrate its fourth anniversary Monday, March 6, 2017 with a blowout weekend of special events Friday, March 3-Monday, March, 6. As part of Four Years - Four Days - Four Events, Pairings Portland will feature free tastings from three environmentally-conscious wineries, one band, and a “Greatest Hits” tasting with wines that have been with the shop since its inception.
Read moreRegina Carter Plays David Schiff's 4 Sisters Concerto in Celebration of African-American Artists
Portland, Oregon-based composer David Schiff’s 4 Sisters Concerto for Jazz Violin and Orchestra will make its return to the Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) in a pair of concerts on Friday, March 3, 2017 with renowned jazz violinist and MacArthur Fellow Regina Carter as soloist.
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