June 26
Secret lair
We dont know where this house concert is, but if you buy a ticket, theyll tell you the location. Anecdotal songwriter Eric Taylor has penned tunes covered by fellow Texans Nanci Griffith, Lyle Lovett and others.
Harmonica-player and fellow Texan Rich Layton, whos played with Lovett, Griffith and many others, opens this show with guitarist Larry McCoy. The duo will jam on some originals from Laytons band The Troublemakers and then Layton will sweeten Taylors sound with his Mississippi saxophone.
Eric Taylor, Rich Layton, Larry McCoy, 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 26. Address provided with ticket purchase. $20 in advance through erictaylorpdx.brownpapertickets.com, or $25 at the door. Info: Matt Miner at 503-484-8196, mattminermusic@gmail.com.
June 27
Award winners take stage
The American Music Programs Pacific Crest Jazz Orchestra, made up of area middle and high school musicians, will feature saxophonist Devin Phillips, a member of the Jazz Society of Oregons Hall of Fame, in a performance of Duke Ellingtons 1951 long-form piece The Tattooed Bride. The PCJOs performance of this piece won top honors at the Essentially Ellington Competition in New York City recently. Admission is free, but for a suggested donation of $10 to $35 you can help the AMP, which is directed by Portlands Grammy-winning jazz icon Thara Memory. Portland Commissioner Nick Fish will honor the AMP Band with a proclamation from the city, and PDX Jazz board member Marcia Hocker will emcee.
Pacific Crest Jazz Orchestra, 7 p.m. Saturday, June 27, Alberta Abbey, 126 N.E. Alberta St. Free, donations suggested. Info: www.ampjazz.org.
Quick hits
The Robin Jackson Band and soul singer Moorea Masa will put on a show at 9 p.m.
Friday, June 26, at the Alberta Street Pub, 1036 N.E. Alberta St. $10. Info: 503-284-7665,
Dutch baroque popster Jacco Gardner headlines a bill along with Calvin Love and Ozarks at 9 p.m. Friday, June 26, at the Doug Fir Lounge, 830 E. Burnside St. $12 in advance, $14 at the door. Info: 502-231-9663, www.dougfirlounge.com.
Bee Gees-influenced Rio Grands just released a music video for their song Beverly, off their album A-Z. The album is composed of 26 songs; each track is a girls name for every letter of the alphabet. Meanwhile, Phil Spector-influenced Pearles includes members of Radiation City and Seattles Comettes. Portlands Depeche Mode-ish Thanks lends its dark soul to the bill, which also features synth-pop duo DoublePlusGood. 5 p.m. Saturday, June 27, Church, 2600 N.E. Sandy Blvd. $5. Info: www.facebook.com/riogrands.
Named one of NPRs 20 Best New Bands of 2014, orchestral indie rockers The Family Crest join Astro Tan for a 9 p.m. show Sunday, June 28, at Mississippi Studios, 3939 N. Mississippi Ave. $12. Info: 503-288-3895, www.mississippistudios.com.
Danish punk-meets-grandiose-rock band Iceage get down with Cairo Pythian at 9 p.m. Tuesday, June 30, at Mississippi Studios, 3939 N. Mississippi Ave. $12 in advance, $14 day of show. Info: 503-288-3895, www.mississippistudios.com.
