The other night I found myself at Woods, playing cards with a friend and enjoying the finest cider I’d laid lips on in a while. A local quartet had just set up and as the music on the speakers died down, the vibrant sounds of jazz lit up the space and I’m telling you: the room shifted. Bassist Lisa Mezzacappa was killing it, Jordan Glenn snapped away on those drums, the trombone and the alto sax blended beautifully. At one point my card playing partner turned to me with happy shaking head, saying, “Who is this?” Between songs I went up to ask the trombonist (Rob Ewing) who wrote the piece and he pointed to saxist Beth Schenck. “It’s called ‘Dedicated To,’” he told me. Amazing.

I’ve since been digging on more SIFTER and found myself listening to another project led by Ewing, Junior Reggae, who just released their latest album These Lines, off Slow and Steady Records. The band is “avant-dub,” with modern jazz at its core but with—as the name suggests—a marriage of reggae, dub and fluid jazz compositions throughout. Influenced by Augustus Pablo and Lee “Scratch” Perry, the group is a unique find that brings together an inspiring collection of musicians. There’s Max Miller-Loran on trumpet and keys, Steven Blum on keys, Jason Levis on percussions and Rob Ewing on bass, trombone, keys and more percussion. It’s an ear fest. Junior Reggae is playing Woods this Friday December 6 from 5-8. Come on out for an evening and save me a cider. -Michelle Kicherer, Associate Editor

Album artwork by Jesse Rimler. 

 Our next choice in MOGO Fest offerings comes by way of a show curated by the festival's designated hip hop and R&B specialists, The Thesis, which is a series of showcases centered around the genre co-sponsored by We Out Here Magazine and XRAY.fm. Each performer and DJ on this bill has a cultural tie back to Africa, which is something important to celebrate now more than ever in recent times.

Blossom's music beginnings date back to age 12, where the Trinidad & Tibego made Keisha Chiddick played alongside her uncle's steel drum band. Fast forward to now, where Chiddick's meaningful neo-soul work under her floral moniker has added such beautiful light to Portland's underground. 

Coming from Ibadan, Nigeria, Sifter's migration to United States almost a decade ago was in pursuit of furthering his work as an artist, as well as taking his singing career to the next step. He started recognizing his abilities also at age 12, while singing in his church's choir. Now, he's signed to Nigerian based label Bugatti Recording Group. ISSA's (or I$$A) time in the states has been in the same vein, taking creative inspiration from his home of Dakar, Senegal. Growing up speaking French and loving American and European takes on hip hop and R&B along with other island types of music have breathed extra life into I$$A's vision.

Spinning at this show comes from the Afro-Caribbean, dance and house stylings of Valan Primus (aka DJ Pr11me) and Crate Diggers host and DJ to Portland rapper Tope, Verbz. With so many cultural vibes flowing from this bill, it's impossible for it to not be a good time.

Be at Dante's by 9pm tonight to catch everything as it starts. Tickets are $10 and this show is of course 21+.