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ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY SHOW! Guitarist, composer and producer Chance Hayden presents the Desert Room All Stars, a monthly series every Last Sunday at McMenamins Al’s Den evoking the venue’s storied past in the 50s and 60s as the Desert Room. Formerly a high-class hang for Portland’s underworld where anything desired was obtainable, burlesque and jazz were showcased nightly with a long-term house band led by New Orleans native saxophonist Charlie Gabriel who attracted notable guests such as Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway and Sammy Davis Jr. In a similar format, Hayden leads a trio plus various guests performing two sets of mid-century jazz, blues and original works inspired by that period. Hayden’s guitar stylings are rooted deeply at the intersection of these genres, yielding an "adventurous, no-holds-barred sensibility with both bluesy grit and modern-jazz finesse” (Jazz Society Of Oregon). Though the building has undergone numerous changes through the years and become more of a singer-songwriter hub under McMenamins ownership, vibes of the Desert Room era remain highly palpable and Hayden will reveal that Al’s Den stands as one of one of the city’s most iconic rooms for jazz.
Singer, musician, songwriter and comedienne Ms. Vee was born and raised in Forrest City, Arkansas. At the age of 10 she began her musical journey as a piano student at Lorenzo's School of Contemporary Music in Forrest City Arkansas. Quickly realizing her ear for music, school founder Lorenzo Smith added Ms. Vee to his blues/jazz band at just 10 years old. She continued her professional career serving as Minister of Music for several East Arkansas Churches, later going on to pursue a solo career in music and comedy. As a result, Ms. Vee's style of Soul Blues is infused with black southern gospel and a lot of soul! In 2018, Ms Vee launched her own music project, Ms. Vee and a Badass Band, leading to award wins at the Granite State Blues Challenge in both solo and band categories. Most recently, since relocating to Portland, OR she has quirky integrated into the northwest region’s blues scene with prominent festival appearances and a 2023 Muddy Awards nomination for Best Female Vocalist.
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
McMenamins Al's Den & Ringlers Annex, 1223 SW Harvey Milk St, Portland, OR 97205-2311, United States,Portland, Oregon
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