Upcoming Shows


Saturday

4/11/26

 


Paula Byrne Quartet

 

@ Burlingame Space

 

featuring

Brandon Nelson, piano

Tim Gilson, bass

Brent Follis, drums

 

Burlingame Space

8423 SW Terwilliger Blvd

Salem, Oregon USA

 

7:00 - 9:00 pm

 

Tickets $25 @ Ticket Tomato (CLICK HERE)

 


Brandon Nelson began his piano studies at the age of 12 in Mount Vernon, WA. He graduated from Washington State University in 2016 with a degree in Piano Performance with a Jazz Emphasis. During his studies, Brandon studied directly from renowned musicians Brian Ward, Gerald Berthiaume, and Greg Yasinitsky. Brandon is a prizewinner in multiple competitions, including the Washington State Music Teachers Association's District One Recital (2011), Phase I Scholarship Competition (2012-2016), and The Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival (2015 and 2016). In 2016, Brandon was also selected as the pianist to play at Hamp's Club. Currently a working musician, Brandon is playing with jazz and rock groups around Vancouver and Portland.

 

Tim Gilson has been a mainstay in the Northwest for many years. In 1985 he joined the Mel Brown Quintet with which he recorded the award winning 'Gordon Bleu' CD. During this time Tim had the opportunity to play with many nationally acclaimed artists including Mose Allison, Ritchie Cole, Bud Shank, Herb Ellis, Julian Priester, John Handy, Ernestine Anderson and many others. In 1988 Tim won 2nd place in an international bass competition in Los Angeles and shortly thereafter substituted for John Clayton with 'Slide Hampton and the New Jazz Masters' in a concert in Sacramento. He toured Japan in 1993 with the Mel Brown Quintet with special guest artist Chuck Findley on trumpet; then in 1994 he moved to Madison Wisconsin where he served as Principal Bassist with the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra and substituted on a regular basis with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. Since returning to Portland in 2002 Tim plays regularly with the Oregon Symphony backing guest artist such as Dee Daniels, Byron Stripling and Herbie Hancock. Tim has also accompanied several guest artists including Wycliff Gordon, Antonio Hart, Matt Wilson, Ingrid Jensen and Wynton Marsalis during their tours of the Pacific Northwest.


Raised on a farm in Southern Illinois, the first thing Brent Follis can remember is picking up a pair of wooden spoons, and tapping out rhythms on some old popcorn tins. Since then, his journey has led him cross country and around the globe, performing music for thousands of people, while in search of inspiration and culture.

After receiving his degree in Advertising and music performance from Southern Illinois University, he transplanted himself in the fertile soil of the Pacific Northwest. After receiving a call from a friend and musical writing partner on the East Coast, and needing to fulfill his yearning for diversity, culture, and thin crust pizza, he moved to New York City.

After a decade of performing, traveling, and immersing himself deep within the trenches of NYC, he made the sojourn back to the Rose City, where he maintains a busy recording and performance schedule, and can be found backing up many talented singer-songwriters, jazz and pop artists.

 

Friday

4/17/26

 

 

 

 

Paula Byrne Sings !

@ Wilf's Restaurant

600 NW 6th Avenue

Portland, Oregon

 

featuring

Paula Byrne, vocals

Todd Marston, piano

Bill Athens, bass

Jason Palmer, drums

 

7:00 - 9:30 pm

 

Todd Marston has pursued a diverse musical career ever since his days playing in both punk bands and jazz combos as a teenager. His love of music has guided him to receive a jazz piano education at Berklee College of Music, tour nationally as a sideman with singer-songwriter Sonya Kitchell and indie folk rock band The Grownup Noise, and perform extensively in Asia with the Sam Hooper Band and Mike Null's Soulcasters. However, Todd's main passion has always been composing and songwriting. In 2012, one of his original projects, Boston-based instrumental quartet Choose to Find, released their 2nd album titled Songs Without Words. This music draws on influences ranging from post rock to minimalist classical music. Todd's composition, Above Water (featured on Songs Without Words) won 5th place in the 2013 Indie International Songwriting Contest. Todd is currently pursuing a master's degree in music & wellness at Portland State University. In his studies, he has worked under the tutelage of notable pianists/educators Joanne Brackeen, Charlie Banacos, Lisa Marsh and George Colligan.

 

Bill Athens is an accomplished performer on both double bass and electric bass, having worked as a professional musician for over 15 years in the Pacific Northwest. He studied with Ken Baldwin (Oregon Symphony), Glen Moore (Oregon, The Band), and Dan Schulte (Jazz Bassist). Bill is a music graduate of Portland State University. He has performed in a diverse range of genres, from Classical and Jazz to Rock and studio recording.

Bill has performed Internationally with Blues legend Earl Thomas and with Jazz power trio Trio Subtonic. He has performed with the Rose City Chamber Orchestra, the Tacoma Symphony, Bel Canto Northwest, and as a soloist with The Oregon Sinfonietta debuting a new work by local composer Don Appert. He performed with local Jazz luminaries such as: Mel Brown, Nancy King, Shirley Nanette, and Dan Balmer. as well international Jazz artists: Ben Wendell, Seamus Blake, Byron Stripling, Dominique Eade, and Dave Pietro. He has been a long time music instructor, teaching at Clark Community College, George Fox University, and The Great Basin Jazz Camp.

 

Drummer Jason Palmer is a percussionist and educator who is active throughout Oregon, the United States, and internationally. His performances include appearances at St. Peter's Church and the Knitting Factory in New York, the Rochester Jazz Festival, the High Sierra Music Festival, The Sitka Jazz Festival, and Jazz Festival Calgary. Regionally, he has performed at The Waterfront Blues Festival, the Cathedral Park Jazz Festival, the Portland Jazz Festival, and the Oregon Festival of American Music.

 

Since 1995, Jason has performed and recorded with such artists as Danilo Perez, John Clayton, Ben Monder, Ron Miles, Dave Frishberg, Bucky Pizzarelli, John Zorn, Steve Wilson, Lizz Wright, Sheryl Bailey, Chuck Redd, Dick Hyman, Ken Peplowski, Randy Porter, and George Colligan. His recordings have been reviewed in Cadence, All About Jazz, and the All Music Guide.

 

He attended the University of Oregon, where he received both a Bachelor's degree and a Master's degree in Music. As a student, Jason had the opportunity to perform in a variety of student ensembles as well as with guest artists such as Nancy King, Bobby Shew, John Hollenbeck, and Gary Versace. His pop and rock music experience includes work with Allen Toussaint, Mason Williams, Sonny Turner of the Coasters, Ruth Brown, and Satin Love Orchestra.

 

Active in education, Jason is currently the Department Chair of Music, Dance, and Theater at Portland Community College's Rock Creek Campus in Oregon. Recently, he has also taught at Western Oregon University, Umpqua Community College, and Lane Community College.

 

Saturday

5/2/26

 


featuring Paula Byrne, vocals

Clay Giberson, keys

Tim Gilson, bass

Brent Follis, drums

 

@ The Cut Supper Club

456 N State Street
Lake Oswego, Oregon USA


5:00 - 8:00 pm

 

An innovative voice in the contemporary jazz scene of the Pacific Northwest, pianist and composer Clay Giberson is part of a new generation that is redefining jazz. Emotionally compelling, the music grooves as much as it dazzles with harmony, lyricism and rhythmic intricacy.

Giberson's performances convey a deep appreciation of structure and form but pay equal tribute to the pulse and sonic landscape that frame his musical ideas. Clay's musical personality owes something to his childhood spent on a farm in Woodland, Washington. His mother, a classical piano teacher, infused his early life with music and he grew up both in the fields and at the piano. He studied jazz piano at the University of Miami and later established himself in New York where he also earned a Master's degree in music technology. He has performed throughout Europe, Scandinavia, the Mediterranean, the South Pacific, Caribbean and Japan. Clay currently resides in Portland, Oregon where he teaches, records, produces and performs.

 

Tim Gilson has been a mainstay in the Northwest for many years. In 1985 he joined the Mel Brown Quintet with which he recorded the award winning 'Gordon Bleu' CD. During this time Tim had the opportunity to play with many nationally acclaimed artists including Mose Allison, Ritchie Cole, Bud Shank, Herb Ellis, Julian Priester, John Handy, Ernestine Anderson and many others. In 1988 Tim won 2nd place in an international bass competition in Los Angeles and shortly thereafter substituted for John Clayton with 'Slide Hampton and the New Jazz Masters' in a concert in Sacramento. He toured Japan in 1993 with the Mel Brown Quintet with special guest artist Chuck Findley on trumpet; then in 1994 he moved to Madison Wisconsin where he served as Principal Bassist with the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra and substituted on a regular basis with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. Since returning to Portland in 2002 Tim plays regularly with the Oregon Symphony backing guest artist such as Dee Daniels, Byron Stripling and Herbie Hancock. Tim has also accompanied several guest artists including Wycliff Gordon, Antonio Hart, Matt Wilson, Ingrid Jensen and Wynton Marsalis during their tours of the Pacific Northwest.

 


Raised on a farm in Southern Illinois, the first thing Brent Follis can remember is picking up a pair of wooden spoons, and tapping out rhythms on some old popcorn tins. Since then, his journey has led him cross country and around the globe, performing music for thousands of people, while in search of inspiration and culture.

After receiving his degree in Advertising and music performance from Southern Illinois University, he transplanted himself in the fertile soil of the Pacific Northwest. After receiving a call from a friend and musical writing partner on the East Coast, and needing to fulfill his yearning for diversity, culture, and thin crust pizza, he moved to New York City.

After a decade of performing, traveling, and immersing himself deep within the trenches of NYC, he made the sojourn back to the Rose City, where he maintains a busy recording and performance schedule, and can be found backing up many talented singer-songwriters, jazz and pop artists.

 

Thursday

5/7/26

 


featuring Paula Byrne, vocals

Tim Gilson, bass

 

@ Thai Lahnna

7937 SE 13th Avenue
Portland, Oregon USA


6:00 - 8:00 pm
No Cover -- $ Tips $ Appreciated

 

Tim Gilson has been a mainstay in the Northwest for many years. In 1985 he joined the Mel Brown Quintet with which he recorded the award winning 'Gordon Bleu' CD. During this time Tim had the opportunity to play with many nationally acclaimed artists including Mose Allison, Ritchie Cole, Bud Shank, Herb Ellis, Julian Priester, John Handy, Ernestine Anderson and many others. In 1988 Tim won 2nd place in an international bass competition in Los Angeles and shortly thereafter substituted for John Clayton with 'Slide Hampton and the New Jazz Masters' in a concert in Sacramento. He toured Japan in 1993 with the Mel Brown Quintet with special guest artist Chuck Findley on trumpet; then in 1994 he moved to Madison Wisconsin where he served as Principal Bassist with the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra and substituted on a regular basis with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. Since returning to Portland in 2002 Tim plays regularly with the Oregon Symphony backing guest artist such as Dee Daniels, Byron Stripling and Herbie Hancock. Tim has also accompanied several guest artists including Wycliff Gordon, Antonio Hart, Matt Wilson, Ingrid Jensen and Wynton Marsalis during their tours of the Pacific Northwest.

Wednesday

5/13/26

 


featuring Paula Byrne, vocals

and the Ron Steen Trio

 

@ Wilf's Restaurant

600 NW 6th Avenue

Portland, Oregon

7:00 - 9:00 pm

 

(excerpt from aftersixjazz.com)

 

Photo: frank@dimarcoimages.com

 

Veteran bandleader and drummer Ron Steen is one of the Northwest’s top rhythm keepers and a leader of the Portland jazz scene. He is also the Godfather of Jazz Jams in Portland, having hosted ongoing jam sessions since 1980, including the famed jam at Produce Row. Notable international jazz stars who come through town stop in to Steen’s jams for impromptu music, led by one of the best in the business. In addition to hosting five 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 and his engaging personality. Steen’s ability to bring together the top musicians in town and around the nation makes him one of the city’s most valuable assets.


Saturday

5/16/26

 

 

 

 

Paula Byrne Jazz

 

Private Event

 

7:00 pm

Friday

6/12/26

OUTSIDE !

 


featuring Paula Byrne, vocals

Steve Christofferson, keys

Bill Athens, bass

Kurt Deutscher, drums

 

@ Thai Lahnna - OUTSIDE !

7937 SE 13th Avenue
Portland, Oregon USA


5:30 - 8:00 pm
No Cover -- $ Tips $ Appreciated

 

Steve Christofferson has been described as "one of the Northwest's most inventive pianists," (Willamette Week) with "a deft, lyrical touch and fevered imagination." (Victoria Times-Colonist) His trio is "focused, a very cohesive group capable of exploring standards and lesser-known jazz pieces with a soul and drive that hearkens all the way back to Monk, Garner and Bud Powell." (Cadence Magazine) His originals are "among the best compositions you'll hear on the local scene," (Dan DePrez) and David Frishberg says "Steve gets a great sound and plays with real authority and impeccable taste; he's one of my favorite piano players."

 

Bill Athens is an accomplished performer on both double bass and electric bass, having worked as a professional musician for over 15 years in the Pacific Northwest. He studied with Ken Baldwin (Oregon Symphony), Glen Moore (Oregon, The Band), and Dan Schulte (Jazz Bassist). Bill is a music graduate of Portland State University. He has performed in a diverse range of genres, from Classical and Jazz to Rock and studio recording.

Bill has performed Internationally with Blues legend Earl Thomas and with Jazz power trio Trio Subtonic. He has performed with the Rose City Chamber Orchestra, the Tacoma Symphony, Bel Canto Northwest, and as a soloist with The Oregon Sinfonietta debuting a new work by local composer Don Appert. He performed with local Jazz luminaries such as: Mel Brown, Nancy King, Shirley Nanette, and Dan Balmer. as well international Jazz artists: Ben Wendell, Seamus Blake, Byron Stripling, Dominique Eade, and Dave Pietro. He has been a long time music instructor, teaching at Clark Community College, George Fox University, and The Great Basin Jazz Camp.

 

 

Kurt's music career started at age 17 playing drums in the nightclubs and dance halls of Portland Oregon. He brings over four decades of professional experience to every performance and it's evident in his steady timekeeping, dynamics, phrasing, and melodic solos. He's equally skilled at leading a jazz trio, supporting vocalists, or driving a big band. He's played on dozens of professional recordings and is a former voting member of the Recording Academy. He is also an alumnus of the Armed Forces School of Music and a veteran of the United States Marine Corps Band. Kurt's day gig is leading NetRaising, a Certified B Corporation that helps nonprofit organizations succeed on the web.

 

Saturday

6/20/26

 


Paula Byrne Quartet @ Broadway House Concerts

 

featuring Todd Marston, piano

Dave Captein, bass

Jason Palmer, horn

 

911 West Broadway

Eugene, Oregon USA

 

7:00 - 10:00 pm

 

Todd Marston has pursued a diverse musical career ever since his days playing in both punk bands and jazz combos as a teenager. His love of music has guided him to receive a jazz piano education at Berklee College of Music, tour nationally as a sideman with singer-songwriter Sonya Kitchell and indie folk rock band The Grownup Noise, and perform extensively in Asia with the Sam Hooper Band and Mike Null's Soulcasters. However, Todd's main passion has always been composing and songwriting. In 2012, one of his original projects, Boston-based instrumental quartet Choose to Find, released their 2nd album titled Songs Without Words. This music draws on influences ranging from post rock to minimalist classical music. Todd's composition, Above Water (featured on Songs Without Words) won 5th place in the 2013 Indie International Songwriting Contest. Todd is currently pursuing a master's degree in music & wellness at Portland State University. In his studies, he has worked under the tutelage of notable pianists/educators Joanne Brackeen, Charlie Banacos, Lisa Marsh and George Colligan.

 

 

Dave Captein is an accomplished performer on both string bass and bass guitar, having worked as a professional musician for over 35 years in the Pacific Northwest. A Portland native, he studied with Alice Leyden (Portland Opera Orchestra), Herman Jobelmann (Principal, Oregon Symphony), Ring Warner, James Harnett (Principal, Seattle Symphony) and Chuck Deardorf (Seattle Jazz Bassist). A music graduate of Western Washington University and the University of Washington, where he was awarded a composition scholarship, Dave has performed in a broad range of situations, from symphonic performances to studio and club work, as well as many jazz concerts and festivals around the country and in Europe.

 

He has worked with many well known jazz artists. He freelances in the Portland area, and is a very active member of the music community there, frequently appearing in the city's many clubs and concert venues, as well as recording studios. He is a favorite choice for the region's many bandleaders and always in demand for his solid sound, time and feel, as well as his soloing abilities. He has played on numerous local artists' CD's, as well as nationally distributed releases by Tom Grant and Jessica Williams. He has also been a long time instructor, having taught at the University of Oregon for 10 years, he now teaches privately from his home in S.E. Portland and at Lewis and Clark College.

 

He has appeared with Mose Allison, Richie Cole, Tal Farlow, Art Lande, Red Holloway, Ernestine Anderson, Jack Sheldon, Nu Shooz, Marlena Shaw, Frankie Avalon, Jeff Clayton, Paul McCandless, Larry Coryell, Andy Narell, Jerry Hahn, Dave Frishberg, Randy Brecker, Steve Million, Ron Miles, Rick Braun, Kenny Drew Jr., Jessica Williams (appearing on 10 of her CD's), Joey De Francesco, Eric Alexander, Pete Christlieb, Gary Smulyan, Ron Eschete, Bud Shank, Ingrid Jensen, Jackie Naylor, Bobby Shew, Wynton Marsalis, Dick Hyman, Ken Peplowski, Steve Allen and Paul Smith, Bill Mays, Jeff Lorber, Benny Green and local luminaries such as Ron Steen, Mel Brown, Dan Balmer, Gary Hobbs and Rebecca Kilgore.

 

 

Drummer Jason Palmer is a percussionist and educator who is active throughout Oregon, the United States, and internationally. His performances include appearances at St. Peter's Church and the Knitting Factory in New York, the Rochester Jazz Festival, the High Sierra Music Festival, The Sitka Jazz Festival, and Jazz Festival Calgary. Regionally, he has performed at The Waterfront Blues Festival, the Cathedral Park Jazz Festival, the Portland Jazz Festival, and the Oregon Festival of American Music.

 

Since 1995, Jason has performed and recorded with such artists as Danilo Perez, John Clayton, Ben Monder, Ron Miles, Dave Frishberg, Bucky Pizzarelli, John Zorn, Steve Wilson, Lizz Wright, Sheryl Bailey, Chuck Redd, Dick Hyman, Ken Peplowski, Randy Porter, and George Colligan. His recordings have been reviewed in Cadence, All About Jazz, and the All Music Guide.

 

He attended the University of Oregon, where he received both a Bachelor's degree and a Master's degree in Music. As a student, Jason had the opportunity to perform in a variety of student ensembles as well as with guest artists such as Nancy King, Bobby Shew, John Hollenbeck, and Gary Versace. His pop and rock music experience includes work with Allen Toussaint, Mason Williams, Sonny Turner of the Coasters, Ruth Brown, and Satin Love Orchestra.

 

Active in education, Jason is currently the Department Chair of Music, Dance, and Theater at Portland Community College's Rock Creek Campus in Oregon. Recently, he has also taught at Western Oregon University, Umpqua Community College, and Lane Community College.

 

Saturday

6/27/26

 


Paula Byrne Quartet

 

@ Christo's Lounge

 

featuring

Brandon Nelson, piano

Tim Gilson, bass

Brent Follis, drums

 

Christo's Lounge

1108 Broadway St., NE

Salem, Oregon USA

 

7:00 pm

 

Tickets $18 -- Reservations Highly Recommended

 


Brandon Nelson began his piano studies at the age of 12 in Mount Vernon, WA. He graduated from Washington State University in 2016 with a degree in Piano Performance with a Jazz Emphasis. During his studies, Brandon studied directly from renowned musicians Brian Ward, Gerald Berthiaume, and Greg Yasinitsky. Brandon is a prizewinner in multiple competitions, including the Washington State Music Teachers Association's District One Recital (2011), Phase I Scholarship Competition (2012-2016), and The Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival (2015 and 2016). In 2016, Brandon was also selected as the pianist to play at Hamp's Club. Currently a working musician, Brandon is playing with jazz and rock groups around Vancouver and Portland.

 

Tim Gilson has been a mainstay in the Northwest for many years. In 1985 he joined the Mel Brown Quintet with which he recorded the award winning 'Gordon Bleu' CD. During this time Tim had the opportunity to play with many nationally acclaimed artists including Mose Allison, Ritchie Cole, Bud Shank, Herb Ellis, Julian Priester, John Handy, Ernestine Anderson and many others. In 1988 Tim won 2nd place in an international bass competition in Los Angeles and shortly thereafter substituted for John Clayton with 'Slide Hampton and the New Jazz Masters' in a concert in Sacramento. He toured Japan in 1993 with the Mel Brown Quintet with special guest artist Chuck Findley on trumpet; then in 1994 he moved to Madison Wisconsin where he served as Principal Bassist with the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra and substituted on a regular basis with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. Since returning to Portland in 2002 Tim plays regularly with the Oregon Symphony backing guest artist such as Dee Daniels, Byron Stripling and Herbie Hancock. Tim has also accompanied several guest artists including Wycliff Gordon, Antonio Hart, Matt Wilson, Ingrid Jensen and Wynton Marsalis during their tours of the Pacific Northwest.


Raised on a farm in Southern Illinois, the first thing Brent Follis can remember is picking up a pair of wooden spoons, and tapping out rhythms on some old popcorn tins. Since then, his journey has led him cross country and around the globe, performing music for thousands of people, while in search of inspiration and culture.

After receiving his degree in Advertising and music performance from Southern Illinois University, he transplanted himself in the fertile soil of the Pacific Northwest. After receiving a call from a friend and musical writing partner on the East Coast, and needing to fulfill his yearning for diversity, culture, and thin crust pizza, he moved to New York City.

After a decade of performing, traveling, and immersing himself deep within the trenches of NYC, he made the sojourn back to the Rose City, where he maintains a busy recording and performance schedule, and can be found backing up many talented singer-songwriters, jazz and pop artists.

 

 

Copyright 2014. Paula Byrne Music. All rights reserved.