Since its formation in 2007, Blue Cranes has become a key player in the Portland, Oregon, creative music/DIY scene. The quintet has a singular musical voice grounded in melody and explosive improvisations, establishing a unique microcosmic territory in post-jazz circles.
Reed Wallsmith on alto saxophone, Joe Cunningham on tenor saxophone, Rebecca Sanborn on keyboards, Jon Shaw on bass, and Ji Tanzer on drums bring an array of experiences, including work with AU, the Decemberists, Laura Veirs, Wayne Horvitz, Rebecca Gates, Laura Gibson, Ethan Rose, Dirty Revival, Black Prairie, and Portland Cello Project.
In June 2013, the band took an evolutionary step forward with the release of Swim, its fourth full-length album. Steered dutifully by producer Nate Query of the Decemberists, Swim is the culmination of several projects, including a thirty-day crowd-sourced Amtrak tour and a seven-day group composition retreat, supported in part by a grant from Portland’s Regional Arts and Culture Council. The group is at work on a series of collaborations with Portland-based vocalist-composers.
Reed Wallsmith – alto sax
Joe Cunningham – tenor sax
Rebecca Sanborn – keys
Jon Shaw – bass
Ji Tanzer – drums
MJF 2018 Artists
Randy Porter Trio with Nancy King
Nicole Glover Quartet
Dmitri Matheny and Darrell Grant
Farnell Newton Evolution
Portland Jazz Composers Ensemble feat. James Miley Watershed Suite
Tim Willcox Superjazzers
George Colligan Other Barry
Christopher Brown Art of the Dialogue
Creative Music Guild Sound Foundry
Alan Jones Social Music
Ryan Meagher's Evil Twin
Shao Way Wu Salting