Coming Down off a Great Weekend.

Big time show for the Phunkestra last Friday night as I had mentioned it might be. We played what was likely the best 30 minutes of music in our short tenure together. Perfect set, perfect finish, and a great show afterward.

Dumpstaphunk was great, though there were some distracting sound issues made more distracting by the clear displeasure of the band. The group is a fine blend of funk and soul mixed with a touch of rock sound. Their music starts with their two fantastic bass players, who's lines draw directly from a New Orleans tradition and drive every song along. The group's lyrics remind me a lot of Parliment with they're comical, carefree fashion, but the best thing about their music is certainly the ability to lay down a groove that is easy to move to for long periods of time.

It got even better after they left the stage, as it was Rebirth Brass Band's time to play. After arriving late, they took the stage to a semi-awkward sound check in front of a crowd. Once that tuba took off however, the room was transported to Bourbon Street. Joyful trumpet lines, gritty trombone and tenor sax, and a snare and bass drum duo that did not let up filled up the large room and got the crowd moving. More important than anything they played was that they looked as if they were enjoying themselves, and I think that is what generated the most excitement out of the room.

Going into rehearsal last night, I felt even better about picking up the horn. Every so often you take the trombone out of its case, put it together and play a first note and know immediately that you are going to have a good night playing it. It's both exciting and frustrating, because often that feeling can slip away the very next day. It becomes so important that you figure out what you are doing differently and remember it for the next time you take the horn out of the case.

If you're looking for great, cost free music tonight, look no further than Jimmy Mak's, where Guitarist Dan Balmer will be playing tonight. Dan is fantastic, and the cover is free. Jimmy Mak's has a great group every night, including three nights a week featuring Mel Brown. Be sure to check out the upcoming schedule.

The first half of the week looks relatively quiet. If you're interested in current music news, there are some great places to check out online, one of which is a site crafted by a fellow Portlander and former section mate Alex Rodriguez. Check it out.

-Slide Funk

EDIT: Check this out! Oregon Symphony tickets on sale for $20 and $40 dollars for any of their remaining shows. ONE WEEK ONLY!. Every orchestra is struggling these days, and this is a great way for us to help them out. GET ON THIS BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE!