Memory has been an instrumental performer and teacher within the Portland community for over 40 years. He has played with musicians such as Dizzy Gillespie, James Brown, Stanley Turrentine, Eddie Henderson, Natalie Cole, The Four Tops, Arturo Sandoval, Eddie Harris, and The Commodores while also having the notoriety of being Esperanza Spalding’s teacher and mentor. Memory founded the American Music Program in 2005, which is an award-winning youth jazz orchestra with national accolades. In 2006, he earned the Jazz Society of Oregon’s Musician of the Year award and, one year later, was inducted into the Oregon Music Hall of Fame.

“In each jazz community, and Portland has a sizable one, there are stars. In this town, Memory is one that shines brightest.” – The Willamette Week

For more information about the 2012 Portland Jazz Festival, please visit www.pdxjazz.com.

Tickets available at the PCPA Box office (1111 SW Broadway, open M-SA 10-5), Ticketmaster (800-745-3000, outlets, online link above), and PDX Jazz (133 SW 2nd Ave. Ste. 240, open M-F 2-5:30).

A 3-show package of PDX Jazz Festival concerts in Winningstad Theatre is available for $88.05 (select seating) at the PCPA Box Office and PDX Jazz Office only. Concerts included are Thara Memory (2/17/12), Enrico Rava (2/18/12), and The Jazz Passengers (2/19/12).