A Black Music Month Exclusive: Legends Music Showcase

This is truly a historic event for the times.

Join us in remembering the artists and music of a life-changing era that helped ignite Portland’s local music scene and placed Portland on the map.

Hosted by Yugen Rashad (KBOO's "The Motif).

Emceed by Paul Nauls (of The Cotton Club fame) and artist historian Calvin Walker.

Enjoy music from The Legendary Beyons, The Norman Sylvester Band & The PDX Jazz All-Stars featuring the Ron Steen Trio, Tony Pacini on keys, Dennis Caiazza on bass, Dan Balmer on guitar) and special guest Julianne Johnson.

Doors - 7:00 | Community Reception 7:30 | Music 8:00
$20 - General Admission
$25 - Preferred Seating
$45 - VIP Preferred Seating + Dinner
Dinner Special Includes:

Choice of Bourbon St. Chicken & Cajun Smoked Pork, Sauteed Garlic Green Beans, and 7-Cheese Creole Mac.

Join us early for the Legends Community Reception at 6:30, presented by The Skanner News and Elevate Unity Inc.

The Beyons are just that, legendary!
Performing for over 5 generations they are uniquely talented and so vocally diverse that they cross music genres seamlessly to deliver a one-of-a-kind musical experience!

The Norman Sylvester band was awarded Cascade Blues Association “Hall of Fame Best R&B band” for their numerous band honors . 

Sylvester was honored with the National “Diversity Award” from the Musician’s Union for his community outreach for many Social Justice causes Sylvester was inducted into the “Oregon Music Hall of Fame” 2011.

Sylvester was awarded Cascade Blues Association “Life Time Achievement Award”.

Sylvester has performed with the Oregon Symphony four times and continues to add to his legacy as the Godfather of Portland Blues.

This stellar group features incredible talent spanning more than 50 years and has performed for Portland jazz fans at nearly every local club from the 1980s to today.

Leading the lineup is percussion aficionado and Jazz Hall of Fame member Ron Steen, alongside iconic stand-up bass player, teacher, and music director Dennis Caiazza, and of course the legendary keyboard extraordinaire Tony Pacini.

This one-of-a-kind music showcase brings together some of the best to ever do it, celebrating Black Music Month at Alberta Abbey, the heart of the community.

Veteran drummer and bandleader Ron Steen is one of the Northwest's top rhythm keepers and leader of the Portland jazz scene. He has performed with a host of jazz artists such as Joe Henderson, Woody Shaw, Dexter Gordon, Eddie Harris, Sonny Stitt and Charles Lloyd among many others. He is also the "Godfather of Jazz Jams" in Portland, having hosted ongoing jam sessions since 1980. Notable international jazz stars who come through town stop into Steen's jams for impromptu music led by one of the best in the business. In addition to hosting jam sessions, Steen is also a sought after bandleader and session musician, who his peers hold in high regard for his solid and versatile rhythms. Steen's ability to bring together top musicians in town and around the nation make him one of the city's most valuable assets.

The jazz piano artistry of Tony Pacini has been enthusiastically enjoyed by nightclub and festival audiences throughout the West coast as well as in his hometown of Portland, Oregon.

Born in Tokyo, Japan (May, 1970), while his father, (a consummate musician) was on the road at the time; pianist Tony Pacini came to Portland, Oregon as an infant. Tony's exposure to music began at an early age, having the added benefits of growing up in a musical family including three uncles, two aunts and a father all of whom were experienced professional musicians. A piano student since age 5, Tony led his first trio as a teenager, holding down weekends at a popular jazz spot.

The piano made higher education possible for Tony, including study at Boston's prestigious Berklee College Of Music, courtesy of a all-tuition paid scholarship from world reknown jazz author/critic, Leonard Feather.

Upon returning to Portland Tony immersed himself in the jazz scene performing with, most notably: Leroy Vinnegar, Antonio Hart, Bill Henderson, Bud Shank, Benny Golson, Byron Stripling, Carl Sanders, Chuck Israels, Chuck Redd, Claudio Roditi, Curtis Fuller, Dan Faehnle, Hadley Calliman, Harry Allen, Marlena Shaw, Mary Stallings, Mel Brown, Ritchie Cole, Ron Steen, Nancy King and Rebecca Kilgore.

Playing coffee shop gigs at 15 to chart topping success with Tom Grant in the '90s, world tours with two-time Grammy award winner Diane tour from 2006 to 2010, five European tours with Pink Martini, to shredding with contemporary jam bands Dan Balmer brings fire and heart to every performance. Dan's 12th CD, "When the Night", was lauded by Ashley Kahn of New York Times as one of the Year's Best Recordings.

Playing coffee shop gigs at 15 to chart topping success with Tom Grant in the '90s, world tours with two-time Grammy award winner Diane tour from 2006 to 2010, five European tours with Pink Martini, to shredding with contemporary jam bands Dan Balmer brings fire and heart to every performance. Gary. Dan's 12th CD, "When the Night", was lauded by Ashley Kahn of New York Times as one of the Year's Best Recordings.

Actress, Producer (documentary films), Stage Director, Grammy Nominated Recording Artist, Award- winning composer/songwriter and Educator. As well as, Associate Artistic Director of Stumptown Stages Portland’s Own Musical Theatre Company.

Since graduating from U of Portland, Julianne has been a celebrated professional entertainer, nationally and internationally. Her credits include Film, Television, Touring with the USO to Korea, Japan, Okinawa with Concert performances in Spain, Rome and Cruise-headliner (national and international) touring theMediterranean, Commercial Voice-over Artist, Director of Theatre for ESOL Otemae student Exchange Program with Portland State University (16 years) in collaboration with the extension in Osaka, Japan and recently Faculty Department Chair of the Music and Theatre programs for Portland Community College.

As an Actress and singer Julianne’s has graced numerous stages both locally and regionally as a tour-de-force since the late 80’s. Her starring roles include Effie in Dreamgirls, Charmaine in Ain’t Misbehavin and in the Dolores Winningstad Performing Arts Center, the role of Ella Fitzgerald in the original play “Soul Harmony” and has also played Justice in the Broadway musical Rock of Ages. Other star turns with Julianne playing the leading/title roles include Hello Dolly, Gypsy, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Black and Blue, and an acclaimed regional tour of “Once on this Island “.

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