Montavilla Jazz Festival

After creating spaces for jazz around the city throughout the pandemic—on the big screen, in parks, on the playground and in driveways—Portland’s Montavilla Jazz Festival 2022 returns for its ninth season August 19–21. The concerts feature an array of emerging and established local artists at Portland Metro Arts, 9003 SE Stark St., and expands its footprint to four venues across the city. 

Kicking off the festival is Portland Jazz Composer Ensemble’s The Heroine’s Journey, a double-bill of newly commissioned works from veteran vocalist Marilyn Keller and alt-jazz singer-songwriter Rebecca Sanborn, at Alberta Rose Theatre Friday, August 19, 8 pm.

Pianist/composer Kerry Politzer headlines the festival with LA-based guest trumpeter Alex Norris joining her Quintet Sunday, August 21 and Saturday night adventurous saxophonist Rich Halley is joined by NYC’s Matthew Shipp Trio. Both shows are at Portland Metro Arts and start at 8 pm.

This year’s Montavilla Jazz Festival includes two late-night sets at The 1905–Friday, August 19, virtuoso multi-instrumentalist and mentor George Colligan showcases for young Portland jazz artists and Saturday, August 20 a rare performance by drummer/Composer Barra Brown’s Quintet offers melody-driven improvisational ensemble of inventive original music. 

“Montavilla [Jazz] is doing so much for the music right now, really cultivating that community-driven aspect,” 2019 Festival artist Charlie Porter told NPR’s Jazz Night in America. “There are so many crushing musicians in Portland and they should have more opportunities to play…it’s a problem of having a place for them to go do it.” Executive Director Neil Mattson shares, “Montavilla Jazz has been focused on turning the ‘issue’ of venues into an opportunity to look at spaces creatively. If people haven’t been to the festival before, they may be surprised at the high-quality, intimate venues right here in Montavilla. Portland has an embarrassment of riches: world-class jazz from straight-ahead to outright, outside your front door and we’re proud to be creating space and a platform for these artists.”

Find the complete festival lineup and tickets ($5-35 per concert) at montavillajazz.org. Discounts available for advance purchases, students and Arts for All available for some concerts. Limited day passes for Saturday and Sunday performances at Portland Metro Arts for $50-60 and full festival passes run $155-185.

Montavilla Jazz Festival

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