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 are on sale now, and are available through Ticketmaster. 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 — including the four-movement suite A Love Supreme and the gorgeous ballad Naima — thoughtfully arranged for big band by PJO members and friends especially for the occasion.

7:30 pm | PCPA Newmark Theater
with Norman Leyden, guest clarinetist
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.

Laureate associate conductor of the Oregon Symphony and conductor/arranger to the biggest stars of jazz and pop, from Glenn Miller to Frank Sinatra to Pink Martini, Norman Leyden joins the cast of PJO in the role of clarinetist.

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

7:30 pm | The Old Church (1421 SW 11th, downtown)
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. PJO will also celebrate the release of its first CD, Good Morning, Geek — CDs will be unveiled for sale at the concert.

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

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. O'Farill will lead the band in charts by his father Chico O'Farrill (1921-2001), whose prolific contributions to the genre directly shaped the sound of latin jazz. Enjoy the flavorful and exhilarating rhythms and timbres of the Afro-Latin big band—from a table or the dance floor!