Paula Byrne | Schedule



	Friday 9/5/25 OUTSIDE !		featuring Paula Byrne, vocals AJ Allida, keys Kaytlin Hansen, bass Noah Mortola, drums @ Thai Lahnna - OUTSIDE ! 7937 SE 13th Avenue Portland, Oregon USA 5:30 - 8:00 pm No Cover -- $ Tips $ Appreciated AJ is a pianist, composer, and music educator based in Portland, Oregon. AJ started classical piano lessons at the age of 5, just a couple of years after immigrating to the U.S. from the Philippines. He attended Mt. Hood Community College, where he was officially introduced to the art of jazz music and began studying with Mike Horsfall and Clay Giberson, and currently attends Portland State. AJ will graduate with a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies this spring and will continue to work as a teacher and musician in the greater Portland area. Outside of music, AJ enjoys spending time with his wife, family, friends, and pets. Kayt is a local bassist & vocalist who has been performing for most of their life, playing in listening rooms, festivals, restaurants, private parties and churches. Kayt's melodic style reflects their love of jazz, improvised and instrumental music. If not booked for a gig, you will find Kayt playing at local jazz jams throughout Portland. Kayt currently plays upright and electric bass in various music genres including jazz, r&b, alternative, folk, and accompanies many singer songwriters in making their vision a musical reality.


	Friday 9/12/25		Paula Byrne Jazz Private Event 4:00 pm


	Wednesday 9/17/25		Paula Byrne Sings ! @ Wilf's Restaurant 600 NW 6th Avenue Portland, Oregon featuring Paula Byrne, vocals Patrick Carr, piano Shawn Wang, bass Kurt Deutscher, drums 7:00 - 9:00 pm Patrick studied jazz at the University of North Texas, where he taught and directed medium and large ensembles as a teaching fellow. He now lives in Portland, Oregon where he performs regularly with Ron Steen, the Rivkah Ross quartet, and many other local jazz musicians. Shawn Wang is a bassist from Reno, Nevada who sharpened his playing in the bustling music scene of Minneapolis. Shawn played with the city's jazz mainstays like Kavyesh Kaviraj, Kevin Washington, Jay Epstein, and many others. Kurt Deutscher has been recording and performing music professionally for over 35+ years. Best known for his four years of service with the United States Marine Corps Band and twelve years as a founder and drummer of Tall Jazz, Kurt now records and performs with a number of Northwest artists.


	Friday 9/26/25 OUTSIDE !		featuring Paula Byrne, vocals Brandon Nelson, keys Dave Captein, bass Brent Follis, drums @ Thai Lahnna - OUTSIDE ! 7937 SE 13th Avenue Portland, Oregon USA 5:30 - 8:00 pm No Cover -- $ Tips $ Appreciated 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. 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. 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.


	Saturday 10/11/25		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.


	Wednesday 10/15/25		Paula Byrne Sings! @ Arrivederci featuring Brandon Nelson, Piano Bill Athens, Bass Brent Follis, Drums 17023 SE McLoughlin Blvd. Milwaukie, Oregon USA 7:00 - 9:00 pm $9 cover 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. 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. 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.


	Saturday 10/25/25		Paula Byrne Jazz Private Event 7:00 - 10:00 pm


	Sunday 10/26/25		Paula Byrne Sings ! with Joe Bagg, piano Laurent Nickel, bass Brent Follis, drums @ Scandals 1125 SW Harvey Milk Street Portland, Oregon USA 2:00 - 4:00 pm Joe Bagg studied with the legendary jazz pianist Kenny Barron at Rutgers University where he obtained his Masters Degree in Music. After that he spent some time in the Army as a Russian linguist stationed in Germany, moving back to the states to California where he has been fixture on the Los Angeles jazz scene. In 1997, Joe started playing the Hammond B-3 organ, earning several appearances in downbeat magazine's Critics and Readers Polls. Recently, he was featured performing on screen in the Clint Eastwood movies J. Edgar and Jersey Boys. In 2018, Joe recorded and started touring with actor Jeff Goldblum & the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra, playing the London Jazz Festival, the Trianon in Paris, the Admiralspalast in Berlin, Glastonbury Festival and on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, The Today Show and the Late Late Show with James Corden. In 2019 he had the rare privilege of playing for the Queen of England at Royal Albert Hall. Since arriving in Los Angeles, Joe has been sought after by an impressive range of prominent musicians including legendary vibist Bobby Hutcherson, Grammy winning composer Bill Holman, legendary drummer Billy Higgins, Grammy nominated guitarist Anthony Wilson, jazz legend Charles McPherson, trumpeter/vocalist Jack Sheldon, fusion legends Larry Coryell and Alphonse Mouzon, vocalist Madeleine Peyroux, Grammy nominated trombonist/arranger Alan Ferber and many others. He's also been fortunate to share the stage with renowned artists like Macy Gray, Brian McKnight, Burt Bacharach, Natalie Cole among others. He's appeared on recordings featuring a diverse range of artists including Miley Cyrus, Fiona Apple, Sharon Van Etten, Imelda May, Gregory Porter, Gina Saputo, Bob Mintzer and many others. Laurent Nickel plays monthly with the Laura Cunard Trio, the Mike Horsfall Trio, and several other groups. On the cello he is a standing member of St James Lutheran Church's Bach Cantata series and performs occasionally in early music ensembles. He maintains both modern and baroque period basses and cellos. Also active in the LGTBQ community, he organizes a monthly jazz presentation at Scandals PDX every last Sunday. 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 10/31/25		Paula Byrne Jazz Private Event 4:00 pm


	Thursday 11/6/25		featuring Paula Byrne, vocals Brandon Nelson, keys Tim Gilson, bass @ Conway's House of Jazz 16100 SE 82nd Drive Clackamas, OR 7:00 - 10:00pm $8 Cover 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.


	Wednesday 11/12/25		Paula Byrne Quartet @ Jo Bar featuring Paula Byrne, vocals Steve Christofferson, piano Bill Athens, bass Todd Strait, drums 715 NW 23rd Avenue Portland, Oregon USA 7:00 - 10:00 pm No cover 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. Over Todd's 40 year career, he has spent 10 years in New York City playing with Marian McPartland, Tal Farlow, a brief tour with Woody Herman's Thundering Herd, followed by a relocation to Kansas City working with Interstring, PBT Trio among many others. During this time in Kansas City, Todd met Eldar, Karrin Allyson, and Kevin Mahagony leading to national and international travel with each over a 20 year period. His history and experience have brought forth over a 100 recordings as a sideman, most notably receiving two Grammy Nominations with Karrin Allyson, one with Eldar, and one with Randy Porter and Nancy King. In 2017, Todd released his debut album as a leader, "There'll Be Some Changes Made", featuring Bill Mays, Bob Bowman, and Danny Embrey. Now based in Kansas City, Todd's schedule is focused locally with occasional tours. He can be found playing nightly in the Kansas City area with multiple groups.

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