Oregon Music News

UPDATE

The show at a very crowded Mission theater on Tuesday night was rare in that it surpassed the buzz the preceded it. The music was spectacular and the performances matched the music. Aside from the musicians listed below, Paul Mazzio played trumpet.

Erskine was in supreme command of his band and his music and his bass. The lightning fast runs we have come to expect from him were compounded by odd-meters, large orchestral statements, uncut funk, latin grooves and  complex yet completely accessible… a powerfully enjoyable experience

Drummer Reienhardt Melz killed. No other words needed. Killed. As the centerpiece of those complex multi-cultural rhythms he was in command on every tune.

There are still some percussion and horn parts to be added to Erskine’s album before it’s done. If you were anxious to hear it before, those of us who were in the audience, having heard live music from it are waiting with even more anticipation.

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ORIGINAL POST

There has been a huge amount of buzz about Portland bassist Damian Erskine’s new album. Tuesday night at The Mission Theater, the public will finally get to hear the first live performance of music from it. The album So To Speak… features many Portland stars including Chris Mosely and Reinhardt Melz. Mosely will be at home in Austin, Texas on Tuesday night but pianists Ben Darwish and David Goldblatt, saxophonists John Nastos and Jason DuMars, Raphael Trujillo and  others whom Erskine isn’t revealing at the moment.

Ramsey Embick has been mixing the album. Word has it that this is going to be a very special occasion. Imagine what it’ll be like when he actually has an album release gig!

This is part of Ben Darwish’s monthly Notes from the Underground series. Classic Jazz films between sets.

Tuesday, December 1, 8pm, The Mission Theater, 1624 NW Glisan St. Free.