Billie Eidson Bio, CDs, EP Studio Project and Single Release - Press Kit

Billie Eidson Bio Kit • Single Release Kit • CD Release Kit •

Cerimon House Event Kit

Billie Eidson Bio - Press Kit

Billie actively works throughout the region to apply her musical, legal, and promotional toolbox to elevate the music she loves along with the beloved musicians she reveres who are relentlessly devoted to serving it - keeping it alive, fresh and relevant.

"Billie is an up-and-coming jazz singer with style and a lovely timbre and tone,” says Greta Matassa, Seattle Jazz Hall of Fame inductee, vocalist and 8 time Earshot magazine award recipient for Best Jazz Vocalist in the Northwest.

Billie performs throughout the Portland metropolitan area and beyond serving the Great American Songbook music and connecting with audiences while sharing timeless stories of love, loss and growth. Her debut single Crazy He Calls Me (12.1.2020) sums up her love affair with her book of songs and the musicians with whom she chooses to share the bandstand. Musicians with whom she has performed include: Cheryl Alex, Ken Anoe, Phil Baker, Dan Balmer, Bill Beach, Ed Bennett, Christopher Brown, Darin Clendenin, Dennis Caiazza, Dave Captein, Renato Caranto, Steve Christofferson, George Colligan, Justin Copeland, Laura Cunard, Kevin Deitz, Kurt Deutscher, Charlie Doggett, Dan Faehnle, Vince Frates, Greg Goebel, Wes Georgiev, Clay Giberson, Tim Gilson, Patrick Golichnik, Tom Grant, Ben Graves, Liam Hathaway, Gary Hobbs, Mike Horsfall, Tommy James, Chris Lee, Joe Manis, Todd Marston, Bill Mays, George Mitchell, Laurent Nickels, Jonas Oglesbee, Tony Pacini, Pete Petersen, Randy Porter, Jack Radsliff, Kiran Rafael, Timothy Rap, Micheal Raynor, Harrison Richter, Bryn Roberts, Craig Snazelle, Ron Steen, Jeff Steinbock, John Stowell, M. Todd Strait, Perry Thoorsell, Jerry Weldon, Christopher Woitach, and Charles Williams.

“DON’T EXPLAIN” EP STUDIO PROJECT

In 2022, Billie began working on an exciting project with the greatly revered pianist, composer, and producer, Mr. Greg Goebel, whose fresh stylistic take on classic standards set them apart from the crowd-pleasing delivery of these tunes customarily evoking mass-appeal.

Candidly, Billie insists that Greg’s work has its own signature style and that his arrangements rival any niche creation found in the art world as a visionary art form defined by leading fashion houses and champions of haute couture.  “It is Greg’s creative genius and elegant treatment of these compositions that make this project so alluring and fun,” she boasts.

This particular collection consists of several gorgeous pieces by Mr. Goebel, including "I've Grown Accustomed to His Face", "Body and Soul", “ Darn that Dream", “ Love for Sale”, “You Don’t Know What Love Is”, and “Don’t Explain” - which will make up an EP scheduled for completion by the early 2023.

“I have been very much enjoying vocalist Billie Eidson’s wonderful rendition of the Lerner and Loewe classic, “I’ve Grown Accustomed to [His] Face. The intimate duo setting with pianist Greg Goebel couldn’t be more perfect,” remarks Ben Wolfe, bassist and composer whose career includes Grammy award winning, platinum-selling collaborations with both Harry Connick Jr., and Diana Krall, as well as ongoing collaborations with Wynton Marsalis and performances with jazz luminaries such as Joe Henderson, Doc, Jon Hendricks, Harry "Sweets” Edison, and Billy Higgins, among many others.

SKYLARK + I COULD WRITE A BOOK + SOMETIMES I LOVE YOU

Billie’s single, Skylark, was released on in the fall of 2022. “Skylark. Have you anything to say to me?” Johnny Mercer.

Just as Mercer struggled with Hoagy Carmicheal’s 1940 classic composition for over 1 year trying to “get the lyrics" right,” so too haven’t we all shared a similar struggle over the past year? Sure. Listen to the yearning of this tune. It's based on Mercer’s love affair with Judy Garland. It' s real. It's complicated. It's LIFE.

Billie’s single, I Could Write a Book, was commemoratively released on Billie’s birthday - February 16 - just one month after her full debut CD, Sometimes I Love You, January 15! Until now, I Could Write a Book, has only been available digitally.

Her full album Sometimes I Love You (1.15.2021) is a project born during the pandemic followed by her second and third singles, respectively: i.e., I Could Write a Book, released on her birthday (2.16.2021) and followed by Skylark (9.3.2021). Those projects are influenced by a rhythm section, comprised of her mentors and friends, who inspire much of Billie’s music. (Tom Grant on piano, Phil Baker on bass, and Ron Steen on drums.)

“Billie’s voice has an atmospheric quality of charm and haunting beauty.”

— Ron Steen, bandleader, drummer, mentor

“Billie is blessed with a gorgeous natural sultry sexy voice that lends itself beautifully to just about any jazz/pop standard I can think of.  She is a pure pleasure to accompany on piano!”

— Tom Grant, master instrumentalist, vocalist

“Billie’s is a delight to listen to. Her voice is a combination of Sarah Vaughan’s sultriness and Rosemary Clooney’s sweet lyricism.”

— Phil Baker, internationally renowned upright bass player, composer and veteran band member of Pink Martini since 2003.

“Billie is an up-and-coming jazz singer with style. A lovely timbre and tone.”

— Greta Matassa, Seattle Jazz Hall of Fame, vocalist

“Billie is a throwback with a contemporary flair.”                   

— Christopher Brown, drummer, pianist, saxophonist, business leader

Billie Eidson CD and Single Release - Press Kit

Billie Eidson, a Portland-area vocalist and arts leader, has just unveiled the cover art, title, and release date for the her debut single, “Crazy He Calls Me.”

This is a culmination of Billie’s collaborative studies with some of the region’s most accomplished jazz luminaries and educators. Her studies with Seattle Hall of Fame jazz vocalist, Greta Matassa — “one of the best jazz singers we have to boast about these days” as described by bassist and producer John Clayton — gained momentum after she was invited to open for The Greta Matassa Quintet as a part of Greta’s Opening Act mentorship program.

On her website, Ms. Matassa lists qualities she considers when choosing her Opening Act: “[A] serious work ethic, balanced with a healthy sense of humor. A burgeoning talent and genuine interest in improving. A fearless disposition and willingness to try new things. And perhaps most important a sense of community and support in the jazz world. The singer that comes to fellow student singers’ gigs and offers encouragement is a special person!” Billie was a natural fit.

Ms. Matassa’s insight and guidance fueled Billie’s passion for delivering the music, a passion that started as a child in church. With each road trip from Portland to Seattle to work with Ms. Matassa, Billie’s flame grew and she wanted more. Reaching out to mentors closer to home for deeper insights into varying aspects of the music, she was able to fully absorb what she was learning, hone in on key technical aspects for a deeper appreciation  of the art before ultimately vocalizing the music and making it her own.  

The COVID-19 pandemic cut off Ms. Eidson’s in-person studies prematurely in March of 2020. While keeping closer to her home in Newberg, Oregon, Ms. Eidson worked in parallel on elevating artists who have inspired the region — some for decades — including luminaries who had elevated her by inviting her to join them on the bandstand pre-pandemic. She joined the board of Cerimon House, a Portland-based 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to creating sustainable arts ecosystems, and now a platform for creating stories and content with the area’s hottest acts. Cerimon House Testimonials

Some artists Ms. Eidson featured as a co-producer for Cerimon House productions include Mel Brown B-3 Organ Group, Shelly Rudolph (vocals), Tom Grant (piano), Ron Steen (drums), Perry Thoorsell (bass), George Mitchell (piano), Tim Gilson (bass), Dan Balmer (guitar), Heather Keizur (vocals), Steve Christopherson (piano/melodica), Marilyn Keller (vocals), Bryn Roberts (piano) Christopher Brown (drums), Greg Goebel (piano), Ross Garlow (bass), John Nastos (sax), John Stowell (guitar), George Colligan (piano), Noah Simpson (trumpet), Dave Friesen (bassist), Joe Manis (sax), and Charlie Doggett (drums).

At Cerimon House, Ms. Eidson began working to deepen appreciation of theater, dance, music, and visual arts, while simultaneously embracing the rich stories of the region. Her work creates safe spaces for musicians to perform and relax between acts to keep them healthy during COVID-19. Shelly Rudolph + A-WOL: The Way We Love

Her colleague on the Cerimon House board, fellow musician and international businessman, Paul K. Ward, says, “Art starts with artists, so we work to keep them healthy with all the events we produce, from our indoor duos series at our large facility in Portland’s Alberta Arts District, to outdoor events featuring ample fresh air and careful attention to sanitized facilities and touch points.” Ms. Eidson adds, “We get through this together. And the motivation is simple: We need the arts, right now more than ever.”

During the spring and summer of 2020, Ms. Eidson organized an ambitious recording project. Building on studio recordings she had cut with mentor and master instrumentalist, Tom Grant at his home studio, before the pandemic.

“A dream imagined by Mr. Grant’s dear friend and brother from another mother,” Billie explains, “Ron Steen (veteran drummer, bandleader, and mentor) encouraged, ‘Billie why not just let us get the cats, you get your studio time and pick a couple dozen songs you want to record. We’ll knock out the recording in an afternoon. Whatever you like, you can keep. Whatever you don’t like, you can fine tune later and take your time.  It’ll be great. And, you are ready now!’”

“Done and done!” reports Ms. Eidson. “It’s amazing the power our mentors have  to inspire us to realize dreams that we ourselves might not yet feel worthy to own. I love all of my mentors for this.” Ms. Eidson clarifies, “But that doesn’t mean that I always LOVE THEM!” She laughs and continues, “These artists are tough. Tough on themselves. Tough on their students.” She concludes, “Truth is. I will need much tougher-thicker skin if I am going to hang with this group!” 

Billie’a debut single, “Crazy He Calls Me.”

Billie Eidson CD Release Details

Her debut album, Sometimes I Love You features Ms. Eidson with Tom Grant on piano, Phil Baker on bass and Ron Steen on drums, three of the region’s most in-demand musicians with long careers with national acts of their own and with others. “Working with these exceptional musicians has been an epic adventure, indeed,” admits Ms. Eidson. “Sometimes I’ve loved it; sometimes I’ve hated it,” she laughs. “Words really don’t give my journey justice,” she continues. “That said, if they ask me, I really could write a book!” A line taken out of one of the standards she covers in her album, entitled I Could Write a Book by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart.

“I’m just thrilled with how it’s turned out, despite bumps and challenges,” Ms. Eidson shares. “During COVID-19, creating is a healing thing. We have all lost so much and in many ways are just in a constant state of grieving. A friend recently relayed a quote to me that really seems to fit the times. ‘Sometimes the things that break our hearts, fix our vision.’”

Ms. Eidson’s vision, focus and delivery of the music clearly support what Greta Matassa teaches. As Ms. Matassa has said, “Billie is an up-and coming jazz singer with style.  A lovely timbre and tone.”

Press Kit - Cerimon House
End of Season Musical Event
October 17-18, 2020

Background

Billie Eidson, a board member of local Portland, Oregon, non-profit Cerimon House, is co-producing a full weekend of musical superstar events at the Methven Family Vineyards Dundee Tasting Room, October 17-18, 2020.

This event, the second of two “Get Out While You Can” branded outdoor events, convene audience members in a safe way to relax and enjoy music in a festival atmosphere. Professionally amplified, lit, and video streamed, the event will reach across the United States, and bring the best of Portland’s rich talent to the nation.

In addition to enjoying two decades of being a trial lawyer, Ms. Eidson is a longtime supporter of music, and has worked with Cerimon House board members to rapidly build new opportunities for musicians, sponsors, and audience members to invigorate the regional music scene during the pandemic.

Cerimon House, a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to creating sustainable arts ecosystems, has worked closely over the years with other non-profits in the community to deepen appreciation of theater, dance, music, and visual arts, while simultaneously embracing the rich stories of the region. 

This event features national and regional musicians descending upon the Methven Family Dundee Tasting Room to entertain a COVID-safe audience. Cerimon House is also creating safe spaces for musicians to relax between acts to keep them healthy. “Art starts with artists, so we work to keep them healthy with all the events we produce, from our indoor duos series at our large facility in Portland’s Alberta Arts District, to these outdoor events. We’ve tasked workers to sanitize the restrooms after each use, and always have ample signage reminding people to wear masks, keep their distance, and wash their hands.”

Board member biographies

More complete biographies of board members can be found at http://www.cerimonhouse.org.

Ms. Eidson is supporting the lead producer of the weekend event , fellow board member and musician, Paul K. Ward, who himself has a rich musical past. A son of a music professor father and a singer/dancer/actress mother, Mr. Ward’s background made his own pursuit of music natural. “I’ve had a wonderful career in International business, and I’m grateful to have made friends and built alliances around the world. But everywhere I went, I always found a piano.” While starting, building, and selling a computer business in the 1990s, he played jazz piano in the Washington DC area for luminaries such as Presidents Clinton and George HW Bush, Ron Brown, Don King, Cy Coleman, Maya Angelou, and Ravi Shankar. Earlier, he was a musical director, arranger, band leader and keyboard player for a group that toured Turkey, Greece, Italy, Spain, and Bahrain, and has since played in China and France. 

Ms. Eidson has a law degree from Syracuse University College of Law and has enjoyed  a successful career in high stakes litigation, often involving discrimination law and more often than not, on representing individuals. “I’m a demanding manager with a soft heart for story and music,” she says. 

Mr. Ward has a Bachelor of Science from Davidson College, and a global executive MBA from TRIUM, with degrees conferred from the London School of Economics, HEC-Paris, and NYU-Stern. He was also on the board of the Smithsonian. Involved in private equity for years, he designed new financing models for US- and EU-based pharmaceutical development.

Ms. Eidson explains, “We need legal and business brains to build this sustainable ecosystem for musicians,” says Ms. Eidson. “Expanding the footprint of the music we create in Portland means we have to get the licensing right, understand how to engage other non-profits and musicians around the world, and build products people will love to buy.”

Mr. Ward adds, “We have two sayings we relay to our musicians. We’re not just giving you a gig, we’re giving you a platform.” Many musicians who live stream with Cerimon House grant permission to have the video and audio captured, re-engineered into richer entertainment and educational products, to be sold on an upcoming e-commerce set established by Cerimon House. 

“It takes an ecosystem,” explains Mr. Ward, “and that means we have to deploy art through technology, regulatory, and legal hurdles.”

“What we’re doing is what needs to be done during COVID,” Ms. Eidson concludes.

Event Descriptions

Social Post, Short

The region’s hottest musicians offer up a weekend of entertainment 10/17-10/18 at a COVID-safe tent in Dundee. Mel Brown B-3 Organ Group, Shelly Rudolph (vocals) with Tom Grant (piano), Devin Phillips (sax). Wine tasting room on site. The hottest ticket in town! More here: https://tinyurl.org/RaiseMusic

Social Post, Long

Cerimon House, Portland’s leading non-profit building better opportunities for artists through its digital platform, hosts a live, COVID-safe event featuring the region’s best jazz and blues musicians. Being held Saturday and Sunday, October 17-18, the festival, “Get Out While You Can 2”, features the Mel Brown B-3 Organ Group, Shelly Rudolph (vocals) with Tom Grant (piano), Devin Phillips (sax). Other regional greats like George Mitchell on piano, Tim Gilson on bass, Renato Caranto on sax, and Dan Balmer on guitar, make this a star-studded event you can’t miss. Wine is offered at the location. Tickets required. Methven Family Vineyards Dundee Tasting Room. Tickets: https://tinyurl.org/RaiseMusic

100 Words:

“Get Out While You Can II: A Cerimon House Event”: Cerimon House and its sponsors present some of the region’s hottest musicians in a weekend blow-out designed to warm the hearts of outdoor audience members enjoying a festival-like experience under a COVID-safe tent in beautiful Dundee. Hosted by Methven Family Vineyards Dundee Tasting Room, the acts include Shelly Rudolph, Tom Grant, Devin Phillips, and the Mel Brown B-3 Organ Group. The extravaganza marks a final gala event to raise money for Cerimon House’s arts-forward programming, and a unique event for artists and audience members to commune before the weather turns. Buy tickets at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cerimon-house-end-of-season-fundraiser-hosted-by-shelly-rudolph-tickets-124358059303

300 Words: “Get Out While You Can II: A Cerimon House Event”, a weekend-long music festival being held outdoors October 17-18 at Methven Family Vineyards Dundee Tasting Room, is a rare opportunity for some of our region’s greatest musicians to commune with their fans one last time before the weather turns.

“There is no better time to enjoy great jazz and blues, and no better place than next to the Dundee Tasting Room, where Methven’s award-winning wines are just waiting for guests to enjoy,” says Billie Eidson, board member of Cerimon House and co-producer of the event.

“We’re creating the great time for both the audience and the musicians,” says Paul K. Ward, also a Cerimon House board member. “COVID-safety is on the top of our minds too,. We have a great partner with the Methven Family, which offers clean facilities and socially distanced tables under the outdoor tent. We’re taking extra measures ourselves to keep bathrooms and surfaces well-tended to,” Mr. Ward continues.

Saturday kicks off with regional favorite, vocalist Shelly Rudolph, performing her popular act and some originals with her frequent partner in music, the legendary Tom Grant on piano. When the sun goes down, the venue welcomes versatile and highly-respected saxophonist Devin Phillips, who has been intensely popular since his arrival on the Portland scene from native New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.

Sunday, Ms. Rudolph, who serves as the weekend’s anchor personality and talent, joins Tim Gilson, bass, and George Mitchell, piano. Capping off the weekend is national treasure, drummer Mel Brown, with his longtime keyboard and organist, Louis Pain, with The Mel Brown B-3 Organ Group. Joining them are the gifted saxophonist Renato Caranto and guitarist Dan Balmer.

“Each of these artists by themselves draw crowds, and for good reason,” says Mr. Ward. “They’ll be having as good a time as the audience.” Buy tickets at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cerimon-house-end-of-season-fundraiser-hosted-by-shelly-rudolph-tickets-124358059303

Additional Media

Shelly Rudolph

Shelly has been called by Jazz Times a “robust and captivating vocalist,” with Calvin Walker, direct of KMHD Radio saying, “Shelly possesses that natural, earthy tone that can’t be taught in a music class…If you want to fall in love again, look no further.” With a voice that is at home in jazz, blues and soul, she is a national treasure.

She remains active even during COVID, writing new poems and songs, and collaborating with A-WOL Dance Collective at a special multi-genre, multimedia event at the Alberta Rose Theatre.

Shelly’s latest album, The Way We Love, features the region’s best musicians and Grammy Award(tm)-winning cellist David Darling.

Shelly Rudolph is a maker of soul music in the broadest, genre-inclusive definition, a fine and sultry singer and songwriter with a sense of adventure and a desire for discovering and conveying emotional truth. As a “robust and captivating vocalist” (Jazz Times), she has dazzled audience around the globe, including New York, Los Angeles, Japan, Korea, the West Indies, and Portland, which she now calls home. Shelly’s recent album, Water in My Hand, has garnered praise from regional and national publications: “Water in My Hand is a stunning album, intoxicating and stimulating, a mature work from an old soul artist"(Montecito Journal).

In keep with her restlessly creative spirit, Shelly’s latest adventure finds her moving beyond the “world soul” atmosphere of that project and into an exotic, inviting and enchanting project with Grammy-winning cellist David Darling, The Way We Love (OA2, 2020). This album investigates the terrain of the sensual spirit, creating music that is hypnotic and transporting, a natural outgrowth of her past musical  and spiritual explorations and her long-held love for poetry and mythology.

The Mel Brown B-3 Organ Group

Mel Brown

An Oregon icon, Mel has been labeled the "Gentleman of Jazz," with a career spanning over forty years. The city of Portland proclaimed June 22, 1989 Mel Brown Day in recognition of Mel's achievements as a musician and educator, and he received the Governor's Arts Award in 2002. Mel is also a member of the Oregon Music Hall of Fame.

Mel first made his mark as a Motown staff drummer, recording and touring with Martha Reeves, The Temptations, Smokey Robinson, and others. He subsequently spent ten years working with Diana Ross and other pop acts before giving up the road in 1991 and returning home to his first love: jazz.

Mel has been a fixture in Portland ever since.  He lead different groups six nights each and every week for 20 years at Portland’s Jimmy Mak's and other venues, and  he now holds forth weekly at the Jack London Revue on Thursdays, at Salty’s On The Columbia on Fridays, and at Christo’s Pizzaria (in Salem, OR) every 2nd Saturday.  He also stays busy recording, playing big band gigs, and backing top visiting artists like Joey DeFrancesco, Benny Golson and Martha Reeves. And somehow, Mel keeps up this busy musical schedule while maintaining a day job as a tax accountant!

Louis "King Louie" Pain

Dubbed "Portland's boss of the B-3" by The Oregonian, Louis actually hails from San Francisco, where he played and recorded with a wide variety of top musicians, including Tower of Power guitarist Bruce Conte, Santana saxophonist Jules Broussard, Edwin Hawkins vocalist Dorothy Morrison, and B.B. King saxophonist Bobby Forte. 

After moving north in '86, Louis continued the trend, working with top local and visiting jazz, blues, and soul artists, as well as leading his own groups.  The last three releases on Louis’ Shoug Records label—including the 2019 debut recording by the King Louie Organ Trio—have all been honored by Downbeat in their annual “Best Albums of the Year” issue.  Louis’ knack for  playing exactly what's needed to further the song has made him Portland's "first call" organist—and an Oregon Music Hall of Fame inductee.  www.louispain.com 

Renato Caranto

Renato Caranto arrived in the U.S. From his native Philippines with no possessions save a suitcase full of clothes and his horn. After touring the West Coast for a decade with a Philippine Top 40 band, Renato settled in Portland in 1992 and began playing the kind of music he loved: blues, soul, & jazz. But jazz was Renato's true passion, and he never stopped studying and practicing with the goal of breaking into Portland's jazz scene.

Gradually, Renato began playing more jazz gigs and recording sessions, appearing with top Portland players including Mel Brown and Thara Memory. Renato is now in constant demand, picking and choosing the projects he wants to participate in. In 2013, Renato toured the world with Grammy-winning artist Esperanza Spalding. And--demonstrating Renato's remarkable versatility--he later toured with Merle Haggard until be playing west coast dates with country music legend Merle Haggard until the country legend's passing in 2016! www.renatocaranto.com

Dan Balmer

Dan is widely considered the defining sound of contemporary jazz guitar in the Northwest. Described by the Los Angeles Times as "the model of what a contemporary guitarist should be," Dan is one of the most original and creative artists to come from the fertile Northwest music scene. Dan has performed with a long list of jazz greats, including Diane Schur, Joey deFrancesco, and Les McCann. Dan has released six CDs of his own, is active as a jazz educator, and is a noted composer. www.danbalmer.com

Devin Phillips

Born and reared in New Orleans, the cradle of jazz, Devin Phillips’ intense affair with the saxophone began at the age of eight. At 14, he was accepted into the prestigious New Orleans Center for Creative Arts, whose alumni include Wynton and Branford Marsalis, Harry Connick, Jr. and Nicholas Payton. There, trained in music theory and multi-styles composition, he graduated in 2000 with top honors.
 
Performing, touring and recording with top jazz artists, such as Wynton Marsalis, Eddie Palmieri, The Headhunters, the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, musician Lenny Kravitz, and Los Hombres Caliente (with whom he recorded two award-winning albums) soon followed. His reputation as a sax man with intricate and rhythmically innovative sounds made him a popular feature at jazz festivals: France’s Jazz de Vien Festival; Tokyo’s JVC Jazz Festival; Itanbul’s The Ruins; Spain’s Barcelona Jazz Festival; the Netherlands’ North Sea Jazz and the New Orleans Jazz Festival.

George Mitchell

George Mitchell accompanies Shelly Rudolph in the opening show Sunday evening, starting at 4:30pm.

George Mitchell along with the Diana Ross band were guest artists at the 2016 White House Holiday Concert for President Obama and family. He has played at every conceivable venue worldwide with Miss Ross’s ensemble. As band pianist, he performed with a 40-piece orchestra at the prestigious Symphonica in Rosso, at the Gelredome, Arnhem, Netherlands; at the 2008 Nobel Peace Prize ceremonies in Oslo, Norway; and at a 2002 command performance in Hyde Park, London, for England’s royal family. Not to mention private concerts for U.S. President Bill Clinton, So. African President Nelson Mandela, and Motown Founder Berry Gordy. Mitchell played piano at the famous Motown Records’ 25th Year Anniversary TV broadcast, at VH1 Divas Live in 2000, at Super Concerts in Tai Pei and Tokyo with renowned opera singers Jose Carreras and Placido Domingo; and got soaked but played on during thunderstorms at Miss Ross’ famous 1983 Live in Central Park mega concert before a massive crowd of 400,000 fans.
 
More recently, Mitchell was guest keyboardist on Wicked: The Musical at the Keller Auditorium. He joined Miss Ross’ band numerous times on top-rated TV shows, including: Oprah, The Tonight Show, Late Night with David Letterman, the TODAY Show and others. 

Tim Gilson

Tim Gilson is accompanying Shelly Rudolph on Sunday for the opening show at 4:30pm.

Tim has been a mainstay in the Northwest for many years. He has played with many nationally acclaimed artists including Mose Allison, Ritchie Cole, Bud Shank, Herb Ellis, Julian Priester, John Handy, Ernestine Anderson and many others.

Tim 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.

Since returning to Portland in 2002 Tim plays regularly with the Mel Brown Trio, the Mel Brown Septet and occasionally 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.