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The Portland Jazz Festival (aka PDX Jazz Fest) kicks off this Friday, February 18th, 2011.  It boasts a great line-up of acts that brings attention to the theme Bridges & Boundaries – Jewish & African-American jazz playing together.  And now, it boasts new Grammy award winner – Esperanza Spalding!  Congrats!

PDX Jazz Fest 2011 – Headliners

• Friday, February 18, 7:30pm, Winningstad Theater, Randy Weston
• Saturday, February 19, 7:30pm, Winningstad Theater, Anat Fort
• Sunday, February 20, 7:30pm, Winningstad Theater, Dave Frishberg
• Thursday, February 24, 7:30pm, Newmark Theater, Don Byron
• Friday, February 25, 7:30pm, Newmark Theater, Esperanza Spalding
• Friday, February 25, 9:30pm, Crystal Ballroom, Poncho Sanchez
• Friday, February 25, 9:30pm, Alberta Rose Theatre, Nik Bartsch’s Ronin
• Saturday, February 26, 2:00pm, Crystal Ballroom, The 3 Cohens
• Saturday, February 26, 7:30pm, Newmark Theater, SFJAZZ Collective
• Saturday, February 26, 8:00pm, Tony Starlight’s, Gerald Clayton
• Saturday, February 26, 9:30pm, Crystal Ballroom, Regina Carter
• Sunday, February 27, 2:00pm, Newmark Theater, Joshua Redman
• Sunday, February 27, 7:30pm, Crystal Ballroom, Maceo Parker
  FULL SCHEDULE (Feb 18-27)

I’m most excited about Nik Bartsch’s Ronin (above) set on Friday the 25th.  That and other shows still have available tickets.  If you’re in town, head on over to pdxjazz.com for the info.  If you’re out of town, head on over to Alaska Airlines and get your plane ticket along with your festival tickets.  This is not a fest to miss!

~Dan – np: Ozric Tentacles – Pungent Effulgent