Join us for an incredible night featuring the NW Queen of Blues, Soul, Funk, & Gospel! The Legend "LADY A" + Pdx Blues Allstar percussionist Brian Foxworth, on keys Nick Rolfe, bass Ben Jones, and AG Donnaloia on guitar with Oregon vocal favorite Marilyn Keller, and Blues Vocalist of the year Rae Gordon!! Don't forget, opening up the night is Taylor Newville and the Riders!
Experience the ultimate salute to Black Music Month with Seattle legend, Lady A! She's coming to Portland hot after touring internationally in 2023 - performing in Sweden, London, Switzerland, and more. Get ready for a show that encompasses the best in blues, soul, & gospel and features Portland's music master percussionist. Brian Foxworth orchestrates this PDX Allstar band lineup so expect some surprises!
The music from this group of artists is guaranteed to keep you dancing with a mix of sultry Soul, Blues, R&B, Funk, and much more. Including some serious Creole Cajun Southern Soul Food!! That's Right!
Lady A
https://www.ladyababyblues.com/
Lady A has been a Pacific NW favorite for 20+ years in the business. Nationally and Internationally known, Lady A, has a high-energy show that has been compared to the likes of "Tina Turner" and "Chaka Khan" ~ a smile that easily draws the audience in with her sultry-husky voice and contemporary blues-funk style and like a Good pot-a-Gumbo, Lady A is best served HOT!
Lady A's NEW Album titled: "Satisfyin" ~ an album of Hope, Inspiration, and a throwback to the Blues, and Soul music honoring those who came before with a dash of stories from her life told in comedic style while giving the audience something to dance and clap your hands to. Produced by Lady A and her long-time Music Director, Producer, band member, and Songwriter, John Oliver III. This album has something for everyone that reminds us of family, neighborhood BBQs, old flames, and how to love ourselves as well as those we encounter in life.
Nominated for 2022 Washington Blues Society Best in Blues Performer of the Year, Best Blues Album (Satisfyin), and Best Blues Vocalist; Voted 2020 and 2021 Female Blues Performer of the Year by the Washington Blues Society (WBS); Nominated by the Soul Cafe Awards 2021 as Best Female Blues Performer of the Year; serving as Host DJ on Lady A's Gumbo n Gospel on Sunday mornings and Lady A's Black n Blues both on NWCZ online radio.
Rae Gordon
Singer/songwriter Rae Gordon started her singing career in piano bars and opening up for comedians in the comedy clubs of Los Angeles. It was there that she was able to develop her ability to be intimate with an audience whether in the corner of a small wine bar with a few people sipping libations to a big festival of thousands. Her approachability is as well-known as her multi octave range. Her multiple awards for the Muddy Award Best Vocalist have landed her in the Cascade Blues Association’s Hall of Fame. But her most cherished award is the Back What You Believe In for her work in community. Her recordings have charted including #10 on Billboard and her band made the finals in the International Blues Challenge.
Marilyn T. Keller
The 2016 Jazz Society of Oregon Hall of Fame Inductee, is a 40-year veteran of music and stage performance in Jazz, Gospel, R&B, Pop, Blues, and theater, nationally and internationally. Her musical roots are diverse. Marilyn has built a career that has taken her as a feature artist to Denmark, Sweden, Norway, The Netherlands, Spain, Australia, Russia and the UK for concerts, festivals, nightclubs and recording work. Her voice can be heard on multiple recordings, movie sound tracks, commercials and documentaries.
Brian Foxworth
As a leader of multiple bands and a sideman for national artists, Brian Foxworth has toured extensively and received critical acclaim for his drumming. A winner of multiple Cascade Blues Association awards for Best Drummer, Foxworth was inducted into the Oregon Music Hall of Fame in 2015.
Often a first-call player for studio sessions, in 2019 he appeared on eight different albums plus a commercial for the Oregon Department of Transportation. Some of Foxworth's notable collaborators have included Pleasure, Paul Gilbert, Curtis Salgado, The Drifters, Linda Hornbuckle, Paul deLay, Chaz Shepherd, Jazmin Ghent, and Peewee Ellis.
Taylor Newville
My music roots began in Portland, Oregon at the age of six. Ukulele was my start and then moved on to the acoustic and electric guitars. I was fortunate to be a student of Ethos, School of Rock, and Rock & Roll Camp for Girls. I fell in love with playing the guitar and it still is my passion. I have played many different styles of music through the years: such as heavy metal, rock, jazz and the blues. At this time in my life I am focusing on the blues with my band Taylor Newville and the Riders. The band started with a huge bump when we were finalists for The Journey to Memphis Blues competition at the 2023 Waterfront Blues Festival in Portland, Oregon. Recently I was nominated for the 2023 Cascade Blues Association Muddy Awards- Celebrating the Best in the NW Blues for Best New Artist.
Our supporters include: Soundstage Events, Music Millennium, Music Portland, Artichoke Music, Alberta Abbey, Black United Fund, The Skanner News, Cascade Blues Association.
The Elevate Unity Benefit Music is a collaborative effort created from the necessity to support the arts, reconnect our community, and promote Unity through the healing message of music!
Our focus is to advocate for inclusion equality and diversity.
All-ages welcome.
Tickets are non-refundable except in the event of a show cancellation.
Friday, June 21st, 2024
Alberta Abbey
126 NE Alberta Street, Portland OR 97211