Biamp is proud to once again sponsor the annual PDX Jazz Festival, held February 18-27, 2021. This year, of course, will be a little different. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the festival performances will be available as a series of livestreams.

Featuring 10 days of powerhouse performances from both renowned masters and up-and-coming performers, the opening night of this year’s PDX Jazz Festival, a performance by Pink Martini, will be livestreamed for free from Biamp’s world headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon.  

FEATURED HEADLINER: PINK MARTINI CABARET WITH CHINA FORBES AND THOMAS LAUDERDALE

Thu., Feb. 18, 2021
8:00 PM
Livestream from Biamp World Headquarters
FREE

We are thrilled to present the very special and rare “Pink Martini Cabaret” presentation for the first time at the 2021 Biamp PDX Jazz Festival with the duo of China Forbes and Thomas Lauderdale.

For over 25 years, Pink Martini has been the brightest light in the Pacific Northwest jazz scene. Featuring a dozen musicians with songs in 25 languages, Pink Martini performs its multilingual repertoire on concert stages and with symphony orchestras throughout the world. They are truly global ambassadors of the best the Pacific Northwest has to offer.

PERFORMER HIGHLIGHTS

CYRUS NABIPOOR

Fri., Feb. 19, 2021
8:00 PM (Watch Online for 48 hrs)
Jack London Revue
529 SW 4th Ave.
Portland, OR 97204
$5.00 

Unable to be pinned down, Cyrus Nabipoor flows between genres with a voice that is unmistakable. Warm and lyrical, with a unique sense of phrasing, he balances focused clarity with daring exploration.

Born and raised in Portland, Nabipoor began playing trumpet at age 11, and holds a Bachelor of Music from Loyola University New Orleans, where he graduated magna cum laude. Nabipoor also spent a very formative term at the Grieg Academy in Bergen, Norway studying with ECM legend Per Jørgensen and Martin Winter (Bergen Philharmonic). In 2015, Cyrus was awarded the International Trumpet Guild Jazz Scholarship.

In his latest release, ‘Live at the Marigny Opera House’, Nabipoor makes a powerful debut as a bandleader. Recorded live in New Orleans, the album showcases his compositional prowess as well as his mastery of the horn. It features a stellar lineup of musicians who each shine in their respective roles.

JUDITH HILL

Sat., Feb. 20, 2021
8:00 PM (Watch Online for 48 hrs)
Jack London Revue
529 SW 4th Ave.
Portland, OR 97204
$5.00 

Multi-instrumentalist, Grammy award winning vocalist and songwriter, Judith Hill has garnered much praise for her live performances as opener for the likes of her former collaborator and mentor Prince, John Legend, and many others. Back In Time, her debut album co-produced with Prince, was released in 2015, followed by Golden Child in 2018.

Hill, who wrote her first song at the age of four, has been praised by Rolling Stone for her “stellar powerhouse vocals”. In addition to penning and performing her own material, she has backed artists such as Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson, an aspect of her career documented in the Oscar-winning 20 Feet From Stardom, a film spotlighting the untold true story of the backup singers behind some of the music industry’s most legendary performers. 

Saeeda Wright, Alonzo Chadwick & Arietta Ward 

Sun., Feb. 21, 2021
8:00 PM
Jack London Revue
529 SW 4th Ave.
Portland, OR 97204
$5.00

Representing the heart and soul of the Portland musical community with deep roots in the local church community, Saeeda Wright, Alonzo Chadwick & Arietta Ward are all master vocalists with incredible range and gifts. When combined, the trio are a collective powerhouse unrivaled in the Pacific Northwest. PDX Jazz is honored to present them as part of the 2021 Festival.

Click here to view the full event schedule.