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..
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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