Beyond Category

The third installment of a special podcast series produced in partnership with Portland Center Stage and their production of Ain't Misbehavin'. Paul Knauls was the owner of one of North Portland's favorite nightclubs, the Cotton Club. He shares stories about the club's role in Portland jazz scene.

Writer, historian, and performer Lynn Darroch tells stories of the history and culture of jazz in the Pacific Northwest during the time of Fats Waller. This episode was produced by Andrew Oliver, recorded by Branic Howard, and features original music by Christopher Brown.

Pianist and composer Darrell Grant talks about his PJCE Records release "The Territory." How do you make it to the end of a big project? How will you recognize the end when you get there? This accomplished and creative composer shares what he's learned about making music in the Oregon territory.

Drummer Christopher Brown about his journeys across the world playing jazz, and finding his way back to Portland. This is the first episode of a special series sponsored by Portland Center Stage and their production of Ain't Misbehavin'.

Portland drummer Carlton Jackson shares stories about the Oregon Coast Jazz Party's freewheeling, joyful atmosphere. This episode was sponsored by the Oregon Coast Jazz Party, a three-day celebration of jazz in beautiful Newport, OR. Go to http://oregoncoastjazzparty.org to buy tickets and learn more.

Darrell Grant, a skilled and accomplished composer, is premiering a new band at the Montavilla Jazz Festival that's playing his arrangements of pop tunes from the likes of Adele, Pharrell Williams, and Lorde. Why? "The idea is to create a vibration, wherein there is the opportunity for people to realize themselves."

Episode Three of Beyond Category, the podcast of the Portland Jazz Composers Ensemble. A close family friend of Barra's was rushed to the hospital the night before the band went into the studio to record this album, and this event had an impact on the music.

In Episode Two of Beyond Category, we introduce you to John Savage, one half of the avant world-jazz duo Cartridge. Their album, "Black Heron and the Spoonbill" will be available June 17th online and at their CD release show at Turn Turn Turn at 8pm in Portland.

In the first episode of the PJCE's new podcast Beyond Category, Andrew Durkin reveals his own personal coffee ceremony, and the traditional ceremony of Ethipoia that he learned about from his daughter's second grade report, that inspired his newest work for the PJCE Sextet.