Remembering Coltrane
September 26, 2008
Duke Ellington's Nutcracker Suite
December 5, 2008
Blue Note Legends
February 19, 2009, Portland Jazz Festival
Intricate Rhythms: Afro-Latin Night
May 15, 2009

Tickets for all three PJO concerts are on sale now, and are available through Ticketmaster or the PDX Jazz Box Office. Tickets for February 19 and other Portland Jazz Festival events go on sale in September. Refer to our ticket page for complete ticketing information, pricing and special subscription rates.

Non-ticketed events are listed on our Education & Outreach page.

7:30 pm | PCPA Winningstad Theater
We open our Concert Series in observation of a birthday, commemorating the profound legacy of John Coltrane (September 23, 1926 – July 17, 1967). Paying homage to his soulful artistry and pioneering genius, our tribute is a unique line-up of Coltrane masterpieces, thoughtfully arranged by members of PJO especially for this occasion.

7:30 pm | PCPA Newmark Theater
This holiday season PJO offers a rarely-heard pearl of the big band repertoire, Duke Ellington's virtuosic adaptation of Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite. Featuring nine cleverly arranged movements (boasting equally smart titles like Toot Toot Tootie Toot and Sugar Rum Cherry), it’s the quintessential Ellington blend of wit and sophistication.

Also on the program are the fresh and innovative charts of distinguished Seattle-based composer, Jim Knapp.

"Knapp's music is...among the best of orchestral jazz being written these days." —Maria Schneider

Time & Venue TBD
Celebrate 70 years of phenomenal jazz at the 2009 Portland Jazz Festival, which salutes Blue Note Records—the world's finest jazz record label, documenting historic achievements of icons ranging from Art Blakey and Miles Davis to Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter. Take in a panoramic overview of the label's success in this array of influential works by some of Blue Note's most legendary artists.

7:30 pm | Crystal Ballroom
with Arturo O'Farrill, piano
Music Director, Lincoln Center's Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra

In this not-to-be missed season finale, we welcome Lincoln Center’s renowned bandleader Arturo O’Farrill to Portland for a spectacular evening of sizzling Afro-Cuban jazz! Enjoy the flavorful and exhilarating sounds of this popular genre as we perform with one of the world’s great Afro-Latin authorities.

An area for dancing will be designated.