Sometimes Jazz is a challenge – sometimes it’s supposed to be.

“Something remarkable,” says Jack Berry. Duos with guitarist John Stowell and the poetry of Tom Taylor.

Reggie Houston and his Box of Chocolates add Pete Krebs to their Saturday Laurelthirst show.

No electronics, just Asher Fulero and an acoustic piano. No kidding.

He will follow in the footsteps of Andrew Oliver who attended last year. Dave Douglas is the director.

Joe Manis talks about the state of modern music before his Trio sets the record straight with a blistering set of jazz mastery.

April’s Next Generation Festival is part of Monterey Jazz Festival.

Tree Top Tribe plays a few songs from their new album in their rootsy, acoustic, eclectic manner.

Koji’s Downtown for Jazz staring in April. Beaterville….TBA, but will open with Jazz in March.

The 2010 Portland Jazz Festival is over, but the inspiration lingers. Here’s what sticks.

Serge Gainsbourg’s tunes from Bishop. Deutsch and trumpet return to Oregon. Cannonball on film.

Never underestimate the sonic possibilities of interwoven brass. And what better close-out for this year’s Portland Jazz Festival than Brass Ecstasy?

Has the Blast lasted? It has but you had to give it some time. Sanders, these days, is clearly pacing himself. He exploded when and where it served his purposes.

The backstage backstory on Pharoah Sanders and Devin Phillips. Nancy dines at Typhoon with Pharoah. The Festival ends at the Crystal.

Beautiful silence of Trygve and Frode. The brilliance of Dave Holland. Portland’s jazz stars dominante the Jam.

Why Mingus kissed Friesen, Mingus Big Band at Newmark. A touch of Jarrett in In the Country. The Jam and the Hang. Was a big Friday at the Festival.