pacificlectic : concert reviews & eclectic music news

Sad news.  This came through on the jazzpdx RSS feed yesterday…

The Oregonian has just published a breaking story highlighting the uncertain future of the Portland Jazz Festival after sponsorship troubles.  Here’s a clip from the article:

The Portland Jazz Festival, strapped for cash after losing its title sponsor in April, plans to stop operating as of Sept. 15. Barring a “miracle” infusion of about $100,000, the February 2009 festival — previously slated to be the exclusive 70th anniversary celebration for seminal jazz label Blue Note — won’t happen. Nor, most likely, will there be any festivals after that.

I got to see two great acts in one night (Ornette Coleman and the Dave Douglas/Joe Lovano-led SFJazz Collective) last year.  I’m hopeful some large-and-in-charge bigwig can front a $100,000 check for a great cause.

Please?  Pretty please?  It’s doesn’t even need to be someone from Oregon… that was merely a play on words.  California?  Idaho?  Washington?  Rhode Island?  Got any love for continuing the Portland jazz scene?

~Dan – np: Ornette Coleman & Prime Time – Tone Dialing