by Neil Mattson | Aug 4, 2025 | Uncategorized
Montavilla Jazz 2025 Traveler Passes Terms & Conditions
1. Contract and Acceptance of Terms
1.1. By purchasing Montavilla Jazz Festival Traveler Passes, the purchaser (“Guest”) agrees to these Terms & Conditions, which constitute a binding agreement between the Guest and Montavilla Jazz (“Organizer”).
1.2. All sales are final, non-refundable, and non-transferable unless otherwise stated in these terms. Please confirm your availability before purchasing.
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1.4. The Organizer reserves the right to modify the schedule of events, participating artists, venues, or partner offers as necessary. In the event of changes, reasonable efforts will be made to notify Guests.
2. Traveler Pass Inclusions
2.1. The Montavilla Jazz Getaway Pass for Two – $298 includes:
- Two (2) Jazz Adventure Passes granting access to Montavilla Jazz Festival concerts at the following venues:
a. Portland Metro Arts
b. Mt. Tabor Caldera Amphitheater
c. Montavilla Plaza Stage
- A 15% hotel discount at Hotel Grand Stark (booking instructions provided post-purchase; subject to availability).
- A 10% discount at Grand Amari and Little Bitter Bar (coupons provided upon hotel check-in).
- Lyft transportation discount within Portland city limits (promo code provided post-purchase).
- Village Partner Perks: discounts and offers from participating local businesses (details provided in the festival welcome email).
2.2. The Solo Jazz Explorer Pass – $199 includes:
- One (1) Jazz Adventure Pass granting access to concerts at the venues listed in 2.1(a–c).
- All other benefits are described in section 2.1.
3. Traveler Pass Exclusions
3.1. Concerts at Alberta Rose Theatre and The 1905 are not included in any Traveler Passes or Jazz Adventure Pass. These events require separate ticket purchases.
3.2. Travel to Portland, including airfare, airport transfers, and ground transportation to Portland, is not included in the cost of any Traveler Passes.
3.3. Hotel rooms are not included in the package. Guests are responsible for booking their own accommodations using the provided discount code.
3.4. Meals, drinks, and incidental expenses are not covered except for listed partner discounts.
3.5. Transportation within Portland is not included beyond the Lyft discount.
3.6. Festival merchandise, workshops, or other add-on experiences are not included unless expressly stated.
4. Pricing and Payment
4.1. All Traveler Passes must be paid in full at the time of booking.
4.2. Pricing is based on either individual or shared use as specified in the package description. Guests booking the Getaway for Two are responsible for organizing their own shared accommodations.
5. Transfer of Packages
5.1. Traveler Passes are generally non-transferable. In limited cases, the Organizer may allow a name change for package participants at its sole discretion. Requests must be submitted at least 7 days before the event start date. A processing fee may apply.
6. Cancellations and Refunds
6.1. All Sales Are Final. No Refunds or Exchanges. This applies regardless of changes in personal circumstances, travel issues, or failure to attend.
6.2. If the Organizer cancels the festival in its entirety, Guests will receive a full refund of the package purchase price.
7. Event Changes and Force Majeure
7.1. The Organizer reserves the right to adjust event programming, participating artists, venues, or festival components for any reason, including but not limited to weather, safety, or public health concerns.
7.2. In cases of force majeure, including but not limited to natural disasters, acts of terrorism, pandemics, or government orders restricting public gatherings, the Organizer may cancel or alter the festival without liability. In such cases, refunds or credits will be issued at the Organizer’s discretion, consistent with applicable law.
8. Guest Conduct
8.1. All Guests must adhere to venue rules and event policies, including but not limited to:
- Respectful behavior toward staff, artists, and fellow attendees
- Compliance with age restrictions, where applicable
- Following safety guidelines and any posted venue regulations
8.2. The Organizer reserves the right to remove or deny entry to any Guest for disruptive, unsafe, or unlawful behavior without refund.
9. Guest Responsibility
9.1. Guests are solely responsible for:
- Booking their own hotel accommodations using the provided discount code
- Arranging transportation to and from Portland
- Ensuring their ability to attend the event within the stated dates: August 29–31, 2025
10. Liability and Disclaimer
10.1. Participation in the Montavilla Jazz Festival is at each Guest’s own risk. The Organizer is not responsible for personal injury, property loss, or damage occurring during participation in the festival or use of partner discounts.
10.2. The Organizer makes no guarantees regarding the availability or quality of third-party services, including hotel accommodations, dining experiences, or transportation services.
11. Complaints and Assistance
. Delays in reporting may affect the Organizer’s ability to resolve the matter.
12. Governing Law
12.1. These Terms & Conditions shall be governed by the laws of the State of Oregon, without regard to conflict of law principles.
12.2. Any disputes arising from these Terms shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Multnomah County, Oregon.
13. Contact Information
For assistance or inquiries, please contact:
Montavilla Jazz
montavillajazz.org
by Neil Mattson | Jun 7, 2025 | Press |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Photos are available here.
Original. Unfiltered. Unapologetically local. Montavilla Jazz Festival is where Portland’s sound gets heard first.
Montavilla Jazz’s three-day village-style festival is back with its boldest and most musically diverse lineup ever this Labor Day Weekend.
PORTLAND, OR—The 12th Annual Montavilla Jazz Festival (MJF) presented by Accelerator Design Studios celebrates the vibrant voices of Portland’s music scene in a three-day village-style outpouring of original, boundary-pushing jazz by local artists. Between August 29th and 31st, 2025, MJF will present 26 featured concerts in 5 venues in and around East Portland’s historic Montavilla neighborhood with its boldest and most musically diverse lineup ever.
“We’ve always been about what’s next in jazz,” says Montavilla Jazz Executive Director Neil Mattson.“This year’s artist-led selection process brought forward a wave of extraordinary talent—artists who are ready for the spotlight and deserve to be heard. These aren’t just rising stars; they’re setting the pace for where the music is going. I can’t wait to share the range of excitement and artistry AJ Allida, MAE.SUN, and the many others making their festival debut, are bringing to this year’s stages.”
Here’s a taste of what’s coming to Montavilla this year:
On the mainstage:
● Portland-raised saxophonist Hailey Niswanger’s MAE.SUN lands back home at the Mt. Tabor stage.
● Finger-style guitarist, lap slide player, and vocalist Mary Flower collaborates with the 12-member Portland Jazz Composers Ensemble at the Festival Kickoff Night at Alberta Rose Theatre. The evening opens with festival partner, North Pole Studio, presenting Rhythm and Hues.
● Funk-pop, world, and soul group Reb & The Good News, plus Carmelo Torres and Pa’lante PDX, get the crowd dancing.
Making their festival debuts:
● Vocalist Dani Barker oozes jazz, reggae, Neo-Soul, and Afro-Caribbean rhythms.
● AJ Allida: A TRANScendent Rebirth, compositions reflecting the experience of a young queer immigrant.
New from festival-favorites:
● James Powers’ New Communion explores Pan-African philosophy and spirituality with a distinctly Pacific Northwestern lens.
● New Orleanian-turned-Portlander Cyrus Nabipoor brings his New Orleans Quartet to The 1905 with Crescent City heavyweights Max Bronstein and Amina Scott.
● Neighbors, comprised of bassist Garrett Baxter, guitarist Mike Gamble, and drummer Machado Mijiga, will perform with Caroline Davis as a featured guest.
● Lluvia Verde, featuring Laura Rebolloso and led by guitarist Ryan Meagher, blends the son jarocho of Xalapa, Mexico, with creative music and jazz.
Additional featured performances by:
● Galen Clark + Trent Baarspul + D’Vonne Lewis
● Jessika Smith Big Band
● John C. Savage and Lie Very Still perform Nova Pangaea
● Catherine Lee – Life Work: An Interspecies Collaboration with the Bombyx Mori
● Okzat-Ozkat
● Quinn Walker bigSMALLband
● Eden Holland’s The World That Ends In Flames
● Leon Cotter Quintet
● Xylyn Hathaway Quintet
● Neighborhood Politics
● Chris Clark-Johnson
● dré elijah y las estrellas
● No Soap, Radio
● PoiKilo
“After doubling our attendance in 2024, we’re excited to see where the second year of support from our Scale Up Grant takes us, ” shares Mattson. From this platform, MJF is announcing a partnership with a North Pole Studio, commissioning multimedia artist Dan Tran to provide artwork for the festival. “Dan created several original drawings inspired by the spirit of the festival: community, music, and joy. We’re delighted to have these pieces define the look and feel of the festival posters and merchandise this year,” says Mattson.
Also new this year, MJF moves to a three-tiered pass system for concerts in Montavilla. The free/donation-based Tabor Village Weekend grants access to two nights and four concerts at Mt. Tabor Park’s Caldera Amphitheater, the festival’s largest stage by far, as well as six concerts on the SoundsTruck NW Stage at Montavilla Plaza. Jazz Adventure Weekend pass-holders will be able to use the MJF Shuttle running from the park through Montavilla to the Plaza and Portland Metro Arts, where the festival’s most adventurous programming is hosted. DJs, late-night sets, and neighborhood spots will keep the groove going all weekend. Those wanting elevated access can opt for the $249 VIP Experience Weekend pass, which grants seating and parking perks. Additional concerts, ticketed individually, will take place at the Alberta Rose Theatre and The 1905.
DATES: Friday, August 29–Sunday, August 31, 2025
MAIN VENUES:
Alberta Rose Theatre (3000 NE Alberta St, Portland, OR 97211)
Mt. Tabor Park Caldera Amphitheater
Portland Metro Arts (9003 SE Stark St, Portland, OR 97216)
SoundsTruck NW at Montavilla Plaza
The 1905 (830 N Shaver St, Portland, OR 97227)
PASSES:
● Cost: $0 + donations appreciated–$249. All featured performances require a pass. Performances at Alberta Rose Theatre and The 1905 are not included on any pass and must be purchased separately.
● In-person and livestream weekend passes on sale Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at montavillajazz.org.
CONTACT:
. Photos are available here. Additional images available upon request.
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About Montavilla Jazz: Montavilla Jazz is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to support and strengthen local music culture, enriching our community by showcasing the best of Portland jazz.
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by Neil Mattson | May 20, 2024 | Events, Press |
Photos are available.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Portland’s most adventurous jazz festival enters its second decade with a three-day village-style celebration of local, world-class artistry with more than 30 concerts and events across 12 venues.
PORTLAND, Ore.—With more than twice the number of performances than the previous year, the 2024 Montavilla Jazz Festival will run August 30–September 1, 2024, with concerts across the city. The festival lineup celebrates the rising stars and creative, forward-thinking artists connected to Portland with locally-raised and internationally-lauded saxophonist Nicole Glover bringing her trio to her hometown for the first time. On Sunday, September 1st, Glover’s group will perform selections from her latest release Plays. Saturday, August 31st, violinist, vocalist, and storyteller, Joe Kye journeys through lineage and emotion in collaboration with Seattle’s Civic Poet, Shin Yu Pai. The festival’s geographic footprint continues to expand with the number of concerts, and this year features a nexus of activity in the heart of Montavilla.
The twenty-nine East Portland neighborhood events include free concerts and conversations in the plaza in collaboration with SoundsTruckNW, a co-presentation with the Driveway Jazz series, performances at Portland Metro Arts and Beer Brats & Beats, DJ sets at multiple establishments, three student stages, and a return to Mt. Tabor Park’s Caldera Amphitheater for two free concerts on Friday, August 30th. Outside the neighborhood, listeners can venture to Alberta Rose Theatre to see the festival headliners, to The 1905 for three of Portland’s top pianists, and Strum for adventurous guitar-centered performances.
Montavilla Jazz Festival is the only Portland festival focused on the original music of the city’s jazz artists, and this year’s lineup is the first crafted by an artist-driven curation process. Montavilla Jazz Executive Director Neil Mattson shares, “We asked the artists to tell us what they would love to present but might not have been able to without support, and they dreamed big. Every year, we are astounded by the way these musicians take risks and innovate. This year, we’re excited to invest in even more artist-centered programming that represents a wide breadth of jazz’s creative spirit. It’s a great way to usher in Montavilla Jazz’s second decade.”
DATES:
Friday, August 30–September 1, 2024
VENUES:
- Mt. Tabor Park Caldera Amphitheater
- Portland Metro Arts (9003 SE Stark St, Portland, OR 97216)
- Montavilla Plaza (SE 79th Ave. at SE Stark St, Portland, OR 97216)
- Beer Brats & Beats (8826 SE Stark St, Portland, OR 97216)
- The 1905 (830 N Shaver St, Portland, OR 97227)
- Alberta Rose Theatre (3000 NE Alberta St, Portland, OR 97211)
- Strum (1415 SE Stark St #C, Portland, OR 97214)
- Driveway Jazz (1524 SE 51st Ave, Portland, OR 97215)
- Montavilla Brew Works (7805 SE Stark St, Portland, OR 97215)
- Vino Veritas Wine Bar and Bottle Shop (7835 SE Stark St, Portland, OR 97215)
- Threshold Brewing & Blending (403 SE 79th Ave, Portland, OR 97215)
- Beer Bunker (7918 SE Stark St, Portland, OR 97215)
TICKETS:
$5-45 per live concert with discounts for advance purchases, students, and Arts for All available for some concerts. On Sale Now: Alberta Rose Theatre single tickets & Portland Metro Arts single tickets. Discounted student tickets ($10) and Arts for All tickets ($5) are available.
Find ticket details and information at montavillajazz.org.
The 2024 Montavilla Jazz Festival events include:
- Nicole Glover Trio featuring Tyrone Allen and Kayvon Gordon
Sunday, September 1, 8:00 PM – Alberta Rose Theatre – Tickets $5-45.
Festival headliner Nicole Glover brings her trio to her hometown for the first time to perform selections from their latest release Plays.
- Joe Kye’s The Well Sessions featuring Shin Yu Pai
Saturday, August 31, 8:00 PM – Alberta Rose Theatre – Tickets $5-45.
Joe Kye takes listeners on a transcendent personal journey, recollecting lineage and love through looping violins, vocals, and traditional Korean instruments interwoven with the poetry of Shin Yu Pai.
- Dan Balmer Trio featuring Gary Versace and Mark Ferber
Saturday, August 31, 7:00 PM – Strum – Tickets $25-35, available soon.
Dan Balmer performs music from his latest album When The Night which The New York Times called one of the best albums of 2023.
- Unearthing the Extraordinary: PJCE featuring Christopher Brown
Friday, August 30, 7:30 PM – Mt. Tabor Park Caldera Amphitheater – FREE!
Christopher Brown’s new compositions illuminate the extraordinary acts of leadership that have helped shape Portland as a city and a community and offer a guiding light for the challenges to come.
- Julana Torres’s La Colorá featuring Carmelo Torres
Friday, August 30, 6:00 PM – Mt. Tabor Park Caldera Amphitheater – FREE!
La Colorá is a fiery Latin Jazz ensemble presented by Julana and Carmelo Torres highlighting the rhythmic legacy of the Torres family.
- Jasnam Daya Singh Trio with String Quartet
Saturday, August 31, 5:00 PM – Portland Metro Arts – Tickets $5-40.
Latin Grammy-nominated Jasnam Daya Singh braids the traditions of jazz, classical, and traditional Brazilian music into a universal jazz language.
- Bryn Roberts Trio meets Justin Copeland
Saturday, August 31, 6:00 PM & 8:00 PM – The 1905 – Tickets $5-35, available soon.
Bryn Roberts’s internationally traveled trio makes its Portland debut to celebrate its forthcoming album with special guest trumpeter Justin Copeland.
- Randy Porter Trio
Friday, August 30, 6:00 PM & 8:00 PM – The 1905 – Tickets $5-35, available soon.
The Randy Porter Trio grooves with inventive harmony, sophistication, and a refined improvisational approach creating a wealth of sonic textures.
- Kerry Politzer Quartet
Sunday, September 1, 6:00 PM & 8:00 PM – The 1905 – Tickets $5-35, available soon.
Pianist Kerry Politzer and her quartet perform music from her new release Ruminations.
- DaMiNo with filmmaker Devin Febbroriello
Sunday, September 1, 2:00 PM – Portland Metro Arts – Tickets $5-40.
Playing with conventions of sight, sound, and narrative structure, DaMiNo will be improvising to a film by Devin Febbroriello with an audio-reactive A/V element.
- Integer Quintet
Sunday, September 1, 5:00 PM – Portland Metro Arts – Tickets $5-40.
Integer Quintet is a brass-centric modern jazz ensemble focusing on melody, groove, and the fire of the creative spirit.
- DoubleDash
Sunday, September 1, 4:00 PM – SoundsTruckNW @ the Montavilla Plaza – FREE
DoubleDash fuses elements of electronic music and jazz, seamlessly blending together medleys of original compositions and improvisations.
- Chris Shuttleworth Chicago Quartet
Sunday, September 1, 10:00 PM – Beer Brats & Beats – Tickets $5-35, available soon.
With a sound born in Chicago’s jazz scene and grounded in an unabashed search for beauty and melody, this quartet bridges the Windy City and the Pacific Northwest, creating something unified that is both entirely fresh and completely approachable.
- Adriana Wagner Quartet
Saturday, August 31, 4:00 PM – SoundsTruckNW @ the Montavilla Plaza – FREE
Adriana Wagner presents her original compositions, playing with vulnerability and a dedication to the music that has no limits.
- Chris Lee Sextet
Friday, August 30, 10:30 PM – Beer Brats & Beats – Tickets $5-35, available soon.
The Chris Lee Sextet will be performing music from their latest PJCE Records release Green In Grey.
- Pablo Rivarola Quartet
Saturday, August 31, 10:00 PM – Beer Brats & Beats – Tickets $5-35, available soon.
Pablo Rivarola’s newest works eschew many of jazz’s conventional idioms in a personal dialog on loss, grief, and healing.
- Ross Garlow’s Big Water
Saturday, August 31, 12:00 PM – SoundsTruckNW @ the Montavilla Plaza – FREE
A musical dedication to Oregon’s great rivers, the importance of abundant fish migration, and protecting nature by giving land back.
- Sound Creation Trio
Friday, August 30, 7:00 PM – Strum – Tickets $5-35, available soon.
Sound Creation Trio plays daring original music that stretches from free jazz and post-rock to Americana and art pop and back again.
- Battle Hymns & Gardens + James Powers & Dan Duval
Sunday, September 1, 7:00 PM – Strum – Tickets $5-35, available soon.
Battle Hymns & Gardens + James Powers & Dan Duval bridge a vibrant free-jazz sensibility with a landscape of moody, evocative compositions.
- The Blue Butler Big Band
Saturday, August 31, 2:00 PM – Portland Metro Arts – Tickets $5-40.
The Blue Butler Big Band’s composer’s collective was formed by Paris Blue Butler and Quinn Walker to express a range of sounds varying from the deep end of obscurity to more traditional jazz forms.
- Rivkah Ross Quartet
Sunday, September 1, 12:00 PM – SoundsTruckNW @ the Montavilla Plaza – FREE
The Rivkah Ross Quartet plays original jazz inspired by jazz giants like Wayne Shorter, John Coltrane, Kenny Barron, and Steve Swallow.
- Olivia Fields Quartet
Friday, August 30, 4:00 PM – Driveway Jazz – FREE
The Olivia Fields Quartet is a group of some of Portland’s finest young musicians playing a curated set of original compositions.
- MJF Student Stages
Friday, August 30–Sunday, September 1 – times & venues to be announced – FREE
Breakout university students take center stage.
Additional events will continue to be announced. The festival lineup and schedule are available at https://montavillajazz.org/.
Contact:
About Montavilla Jazz: The mission of Montavilla Jazz is to support and strengthen local music culture and enrich our community by showcasing the best of Portland jazz. Montavilla Jazz is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
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by Neil Mattson | Sep 22, 2023 | Uncategorized |
https://katu.com/amp/news/local/montavilla-jazz-festival-kicks-off-at-mt-tabor-park
by Neil Mattson | Aug 9, 2023 | Artist Spotlight, Awards, Events |
The late Commissioner Nick Fish said, “I have always believed that government can be society’s greatest force for good and that together we can do amazing things. As a member of the Council, I have insisted that the whole can be greater than the sum of its parts, and I have focused on partnership, collaboration and shared success. We can rise to this occasion and embrace inclusivity, sustainability and shared prosperity for all.”
Nick won many awards during his twelve years on the Portland City Council including three from the arts community. They include the Angel Award from White Bird, the Community Partner Award from Metropolitan Youth Symphony and the McClendon Makarounis Award for Jazz Advocacy from PDX Jazz. He raised funds for and attended the Mount Hood Jazz Festival, PDX Jazz Festival, and Montavilla Jazz Festival in addition to Jazz concerts in Portland parks even though his demanding schedule often only allowed him to attend one or two sets.
Recognizing that he was a champion for the Jazz community, he was given the title of “Portland’s Jazz Commissioner” by veteran Jazz Radio Host, Marcia Hocker. She was convinced to do so after he spontaneously joined her Monday 6-8pm show during one of KMHD’s membership drives. At that time, they were then located at Mt. Hood Community College. Nick told his wife, Portland State University Professor Patricia Schechter that one of his special Jazz experiences was “spending deejay time with Marcia on her program.” Nick revealed that he fell in love with Jazz when he heard the iconic Jazz pianist Oscar Peterson during a visit to Ireland.”
The United Nations Education and Science Cultural Organization-UNESCO, believes the culture of Jazz breaks down barriers and creates opportunities for mutual understanding and tolerance. It is a vector for freedom of expression, unity and peace while reducing tensions between individuals, groups and communities. Jazz fosters gender equality encouraging artistic innovation and improvisation while empowering young people from marginalized communities.
In alignment with these values, the mission of Montavilla Jazz, a nonprofit 501©3 organization, is to support and strengthen local music culture and enrich our community by showcasing the best of Portland talent.
In recognition of the enormous, enthusiastic contribution from Nick Fish, the Montavilla Jazz Festival will present, for the first time, the Nick Fish Jazz Community Award to Ron Steen in celebration of their tenth anniversary. This will take place on Saturday, September 2, 2023, at the Alberta Rose Theatre.
Submitted by: Marcia K. Hocker, a Montavilla Jazz Board Member and radio host currently on KBOO Community Radio 90.7 FM with Jazz Lives! which airs on alternate Wednesdays from 12:08-2 PM. George E. Hocker, Jr. was the Public Advocate for Commissioner Fish for six and a half years.
