Weekend music picks for June 20

Hey all . . . .

Finally at the solstice (4:59 PDT) and soooo glad it's not just summer in name only. Outdoor music is beginning to bloom around us, more bikes than you can count are plying the Rose City's streets, people have a bounce in their step and are smiling a lot more (maybe that's just the teachers I know) . . . anyway . . . 'tis summer in Portland - the time that makes us thankfully forget drippy, cold and gray.

Okay, enough of that . . . .

Friday
Reina Collins is a busy women this weekend with a CD release on Saturday (see below) and a free 7 PM show out at Edgefield tonight (and after a Music Millennium performance yesterday).

Duff's Garage hosts The Troublemakers. They may be a "weekend band", but with Texas native Rich Layton on vocals and harmonica, this band can kick it into overdrive. Should be a fun night at Duff's. 9:30 pm, cover

And it must be the night of the jazz trio (quartets, quintets - take the night off!) . . .

The Devin Phillips Trio is at the Pine Street Bistro. Since New Orlean's Phillips relocated to Portland after Katrina, his soulful sax playing has resulted in Devin becoming a force in the Portland music community. It even led to Jazz at Lincoln Center and the U.S. State Department choosing Devin and his band, New Orleans Straight Ahead, to participate in the Rhythm Road: American Music Abroad program. 8 PM, $8

And, the Pete Krebs Jazz Trio is at the Press Club. The talented Mr Krebs will be performing sets of Django-infused jazz in this very cool little cafe/bar in the SE Clinton neighborhood. 8:30, Free

Saturday

Reina Collins is doing a CD release show to support her latest, Austin to Boston. She is one of Portlands most versatile singers - folk, blues, country, rock - solo or with a band, Reina delivers a great show. She'll be performing with her band, The Saloonatics, at Jax Rooftop (on SW 2nd between Taylor & Yamhill). Pilar French & The Intention will open, and Ruby Red will follow. This is an early show - 6 PM, $5

James Low and band will be playing to a packed Laurelthirst crowd at 9:30. Here's the lowdown from James . . .

I'll be playing with the new line up (Aram Arslanian, Tim Huggins, and Rob Stroup) at the Laurelthirst Pub this Saturday night. We've got new songs and instruments! The amazing Mike Coykendall will be joining us with his band. They are one of my favorite bands anywhere. The show starts at 9:30 and the cover is only a couple of bucks. I still have a few of the old t-shirts left and I want them gone before I get the new ones printed so I am giving them away. I need to make space for the new cd and super cool new tees. Hope I see you there.

Hope I do too . . . come on out and join us for a great night of music.

For you chamber rock fans, Buoy Larue will be doing a CD release show at the Mission Theater. Jim Brunberg & Scott Weddle (of Amelia), and Little Sue are also on the bill. 8:30 PM, $12

Sunday
For you blues lovers, two shows of note . . .

Keb' 'Mo and Taj Mahal will be at the Oregon Zoo. Zoo is rolling with their fine summer concert schedule. Check it out! 7 PM, $24

. . . and the long running, weekly Sunday blues jam at the Trail's End Saloon in Oregon City will be doing something a little different - they've invited hosts from years past to do a "Jammer Legends" evening. Should be a shred-fest. 8:30 PM

All for now . . . . enjoy the weekend!