Jazz

Portland might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of jazz music, but the city’s been attracting jazz stars and fostering local jazz talent for practically a century. We take the opportunity of KMHD Jazz Radio’s 40th birthday to look back on Portland’s birth and evolution as a jazz town — and reflect with longtime KMHD host Ted Smith, a.k.a. “The Baby Boomer.”

The Montavilla Jazz Festival is entering its second decade. It's the only jazz festival in Portland focused on original music by local musicians.

Portland band Pleasure helped to shape the sound for the 1970s by combining jazz, R&B, funk and soul. Pleasure will be headlining the 52nd Annual Oregon Juneteenth Festival on Saturday, June 15, 2024, at Lillis-Alvin’s Park.

An exceptional album worthy of everyone’s ears and REM cycles. It seems to be designed for one sole purpose: transcendence.

KMHD host Alex Newman invites some of the best jazz musicians in the game to speak about jazz without boundaries, around lunch time.

KMHD host Alex Newman brings some of the best jazz musicians in the game to speak about jazz without boundaries, around lunch time.

With decades clocked behind the piano and a strong catalog, Kiefer Shackelford is primed for this moment.

Hosts from KMHD dig into their collections, pull out a gem and tell us why the album is essential.

Seven shows during the 2024 Portland Jazz Festival that will leave you with a story to tell.

Hillsboro-based jazz musician Esperanza Spalding was also nominated, along with performers from Washington state, for the music industry awards to be announced in 2024.