Jazz up the evening

While the hey days of jazz and the performances of John Coltrane, Miles Davis, and Duke Ellington archived in decades past, this February live jazz takes center stage in Salem.

First, the Salem Public Library hosts its “A World of Music at the Library” series on February 6 at 7 p.m., featuring the Midnight Serenaders. The concert, held in Loucks Auditorium, will showcase the bands blend of jazz and early swing music. The Portland based sextet is fronted by guitarist Doug Sammons and ukulele strumming chanteuse Dee Settlemeir. Tickets are on sale for $5 in advance or $7 at the door.

The following day, February 7, Willamette University hosts its 28th Annual Jazz Festival. An evening concert, held in Smith Auditorium, is set to begin at 7:30 p.m. World renowned musician guest Andy Martin is joined by the Judge’s Choice High School Band and Willamette University Jazz Ensemble for the evening performance. Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for students/seniors.

Finally, on February 20, The Historic Elsinore Theater hosts “In the Mood.” This band, along with dancer and String of Pearls Big Band Orchestra play an arrangement of jazz, swing, and rhythm music of the 1940's. Their costumes and choreography match the decade as well. Their previous Salem show sold out.

Amateur DJ’s needed for community radio

Ever wanted to hear you own voice on the radio? If news or music is an area of particular interest and expertise, DJ’s are needed to host programs on community radio AM 1620.

The station signal is heard in the Stayton and Sublimity are via transmitters and online via the internet. For those person interested in broadcasting with little or no experience, training is offered. Station staff, including Program Director Kenneth Cartwright will train DJ on how to operate the equipment and the computer. Production and promotions skills are part of the training, too.

This is an non-paid opportunity. Audition CD’s are being accepted. Those interested call (503) 769-KENC (5362) and leave a name and message. Since this job is in the Stayton/Sublimity area, participants need to be able to transport themselves to the studio for training. For more information, visit: www.kenradio.com

Local group releases debut tracks

A Salem/Portland collaboration, symmetry/symmetry plays shows throughout the northwest. The three piece band comprised of members Joel Uram, Daniel Jones, and Andrew Quackenbush release their six new songs on their EP entitled, “Love Breaks Light.”

With five shows [at SM deadline] booked in February, the band hopes to turns listeners of their new material into fans. The EP can be purchased at their shows, through their Myspace music page, or at Ranch Records.

Symmetry/symmetry’s experimental rock sound is weaved throughout the songs, from the title track through to “Turn to Speak,” “Sweet As They May (Be),” “Lines,” and “Le Fin.”

All of their new music is made through a collaborative process.

“Daniel and Joel are the main concept writers, yet we all come together to arrange and construct the concepts,” Quackenbush, the band’s drummer, said.

Though this is the band’s fist collection of song, they plan to debut all new material in their first full length album.

“We're expecting a release for fall of 2009 for the full-length. The music is different, maybe a little more mature. Quackenbush said. “We've sort of found more of a place that makes sense for us musically, from the EP.”

For now, the band only Salem show of the month is scheduled for February 21 at the Ike Box opening for The Helio Sequence and Tango Alpha Tango.