The D/L Sextet, a project conceived and co-led by pianist Ruthie Dineen of the Bay Area and bassist Andrew Lion, formerly of California and now a Bend resident, promises to be something quite unique. They play a style of jazz that is original, forward-thinking and not the standard fare. It’s a genre they describe as […]
Sound Stories & Interviews
Sting 3.0
Sting kicked off a two-night stop in Bend with an SOS from โMessage in a Bottle.โ With no opening act, the legend stepped onto the stage at 7:14pm Sunday, May 25. For nearly two and a half hours, he sang 18 of his greatest hits plus an encore. Sting 3.0 is a trio. The 17-time Grammy […]
Van Cliburn Winning Pianist Coming to Sunriver
During this year’s Sunriver Music Festival, listeners will be treated to amazing performers, diverse compositions and a dynamic, creative driving force behind it all. One of the most thrilling aspects of this year’s festival is that a newly awarded medalist from the prestigious Van Cliburn International Piano Competition will be announced on June 7, and this […]
Sonic Journeys, Evolving Sounds
Khruangbin (pronounced KRUNG-BIN) in Thai means airplane. It’s also the name of the mostly instrumental trio that has been making major waves ever since releasing its 2015 debut, “The Universe Smiles Upon You.” Made up of bassist Laura Lee, drummer Donald “DJ” Johnson and guitarist Mark Speer, the threesome’s ethereal sound has wide-reaching influences ranging […]
The War and Treaty
To many, country music conjures up the image of rednecks in pickup trucks, drinking whiskey and singing about heartbreak. Yet, country music actually represents a blend of folk, Western and blues music from the Southern United States. Stylistically, these forms were deeply influenced by Black spirituals and work songs, while the lyrics reflected the trials […]
All-Time Great Bassist Coming to Bend
One of the world’s all-time great bass players is coming to Bend. Victor Wooten and the Wooten Brothers will play at the Volcanic Theatre Pub on May 10. I spoke with five-time Grammy award winner Victor Wooten and Wooten brothers Regi, Roy, and Joseph about six decades of making music together, how George Clinton and […]
Biker Band Rolls onto Tower Stage
It will be a homecoming of sorts when the Jenner Fox Band plays its album release show at the Tower Theatre on Saturday, May 10, for its full album, “Anything,” which drops the day before. Jenner Fox and the other band members are excited to preview the new album in front of their adopted hometown […]
Young Musicians Strike Up a Spring Concert
The Central Oregon Youth Orchestra is presenting its spring concert at the Tower Theatre in downtown Bend in May. The music will feature the full orchestra, wind ensemble and concert orchestra directed by Dr. Travis Allen, Debbie Harrington, Jonathan Moore and Ryan Zwahlen. Allen is COYO’s executive director and an accomplished cellist performing with the […]
Bringing Cello to the People
Countless classical music organizations around the world struggle to answer the question of how they will bring what’s seen as an aging artform to younger audiences. Big-city symphonies frequently collaborate with pop, rock and hip-hop stars for one-off gigs where string sections accompany 808s and electric guitars. As special as these symphonic showcases may be, […]
Old 97’s: Three Decades and Counting
Tony Bennett once said, “Fame comes and goes. Longevity is the thing to aim for.” Apparently, Rhett Miller and the rest of the Old 97’s were paying attention to Mr. Bennett. This year marks the 33rd anniversary of the Dallas quartet, which formed in 1992 when Miller joined forces with guitarist Ken Bethea, bassist Murry […]

