Portland, Oregon (Top40 Charts) After spending over a year conceiving, writing, producing and funding their respective albums with the help of generous Kickstarter endorsements, two of Portland's emerging talents unite to unveil their newest works; THIS BRIGHT BEFORE and THE FAMILY TREE. NICOLE BERKE and CHANCE HAYDEN are ready to release their new recordings! These distinctive artists give much credit to their Portland-based community as their new projects culminate together on stage Friday, January 25th at Jimmy Mak's. Opening the show is the incredibly soulful and talented keyboardist and vocalist JARROD LAWSON, who will set the vibe for what will undoubtedly be an exciting and celebratory night.
Portlanders have a rare chance to catch rising indie artist NICOLE BERKE and her full band as they unleash ten original songs from THIS BRIGHT BEFORE, Berke's full-length debut to be released this February through KeyMedia Group and
Nicole Berke Music. Berke, a
Boston native who moved to Portland three years ago, is a soulful pianist and singer whose diverse musical influences and love of travel often seep into her songwriting. In February of 2012, she began a four month residency gig in Beijing at the prestigious Kerry Center Hotel's Club Centro with R & B band Mike Null and The Soulcasters. This sparked interest from ASCAP, who featured an original piece about her performing and living abroad in their We Make
Music Blog. Upon her return from China, she worked diligently with drummer and producer Josh Lava to complete her new record and also landed an exciting artist endorsement from Kurzweil Keyboards. Currently she is teaching at Portland's School of Rock. Berke's remarkably mature voice, commanding presence and mesmerizing musical style makes for an unforgettable combination will surely firmly place her on the map as a global indie artist.
Guitarist and songwriter CHANCE HAYDEN is ready to set a new mark with his debut full-length album THE FAMILY TREE. Following several years of service as a standout sideman to numerous Portland artists, the PSU Jazz Studies graduate ambitiously made time to produce a collection of original works much inspired by his recent entry to fatherhood and the responsibilities this new title brings to his life. 25 year old Hayden is being touted as a songwriter whose lyrics are both mature and profound. Somewhat unconventionally, Hayden is not the one singing; instead opening up the vocal spotlight to notable colleagues Redray Frazier (featured on album) and Ian
James (featured live). Hayden's characteristically tasteful guitar work shines throughout THE FAMILY TREE as does his knack for full-size band arrangements, and while the album is rich with vintage keyboards, horns and backup vocals, it maintains a desirable organic feel. Artists such as
Lenny Kravitz and Rapheal Saddiq provide Hayden with his beacon of light to create music that reinstates classic R & B styling's with modern sensibilities.
Berke and Hayden are fueled with the excitement of their new releases and intend to deliver an extraordinary night of new original music to Portland's vibrant scene. They will also be sharing a few of the local musicians in their bands, which further highlight the collaborative and supportive music community flourishing in Portland today. Hosting the event at Jimmy Mak's will be the icing on the cake, known for their impeccable sound system and world renown for being one of the top venues in town.
Friday, January 25th 2013 - Jimmy Mak's, 221 NW 10th Ave. Portland, OR, Phone: 503-295-6542
Time: 7pm doors / 8pm show - Tickets: $15 Reserved Seat (Dinner Reservations Required) | $10 DOS - Ticket Tomato
PLUS January 21 @6PM
Music Millennium In Store CD Signing and Performances
Meet Chance Hayden and
Nicole Berke in person
3158 East Burnside Street, Portland, OR
For more information, please inquire to contact listed above or on the web:
www.nicoleberkemusic.com | https://www.top40-charts.com
| www.chancehayden.com | www.jarrodlawson.com
www.jimmymaks.com
Jimmy Mak's - "One of the world's top 100 places to hear jazz." ~ Down Beat Magazine
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