Jazz is now in session
Hear ye some great music at Newport’s new sunset sessions series
Great music will fill the long summer evenings at the Sunset Sessions Summer Jazz Series, with live concerts taking place on select Fridays at the Newport Performing Arts Center through Sept. 5.
All concerts will take place in the intimate David Ogden Stiers Theatre.
The Chris Clark-Johnson Quartet takes the stage this Friday, Aug. 8. A multi-instrumentalist and songwriter from Seattle, Clark-Johnson draws on global influences and aims to inspire radical joy, understanding and reflection. He has performed and recorded with many familiar faces in Portland’s vibrant jazz scene including Cyrus Nabipoor, Machado Mijiga and Darell Grant. His debut album, “First Frontier” was released in November 2024.
On Friday, Aug. 22, Julia Logue will be live on stage. A songwriter who draws on elements of alternative, neo-soul, folk and jazz music, Logue creates enticing and layered instrumentals to back her incredible vocals. She has performed at some of the most prestigious venues in Portland and opened for Quickly, Quickly, Lewis OfMan, Ruby Waters and Nico Play on the Pacific Northwest portion of their tours. Logue is looking forward to playing songs from her debut album, “Welcome To Your Sunrise” for the Newport community.
The Jessie Marquez Trio will play a week later on Friday, Aug. 29. With music described as lush, poetic and intoxicating, Latin songstress Marquez, pianist Clay Giberson and bassist Robert Rodriguez delight audiences with the soothing sounds of Cuban bolero, bossa nova and jazz standards. Expect to enjoy lush, poetic and intoxicating music by three of Portland’s musical gems.
And finally, on Friday, Sept. 5, the BMW Trio will take the stage. An in-demand regional favorite, playing a mix of standards, lesser-known songs and originals, the trio features Ben Mutschler on reeds, Ryan Biesack on drums and guitarist Steve Willis and performs regularly at festivals, micro-breweries and pubs around the Corvallis and Eugene areas.
All concerts begin at 7:30 pm at the Newport Performing Arts Center, located at 777 W Olive Street. Tickets, $25 to $35, are available at coastarts.org or by calling 541-265-2787.