Music Archives - Mark Niemann-Ross

New Band, New Gig

David Hutchinson, Don Barnes, and Mark Niemann-Ross

For years, I’ve played sax + bass duets with my friend Don Barnes. Covid and health issues sadly put an end to that gig. I miss Don and I missed playing music.

At almost exactly the moment that door closed, David Hutchinson asked if I would join a quartet: Randy Nims on trombone, Tyler Higley on guitar, David on saxophone and myself on bass. And we have an upcoming performance.

What: Westminster Presbyterian Church Gala and Art Show
When: February 21, 2025 7 pm to 9 pm
Where: 1624 NE Hancock, Portland, OR 97212

Music with Maddy

I love music. It’s a challenge. It’s a reward. I study it so I can perform it. It amuses me.

I hate music. It always wants more of me. I’ll never master it. I perform it, but it frustrates me.

The best part of music is sharing that musical conversation with musical (and non-musical) friends. That’s why you should meet Maddy Ross.

When: March 19th, 6 to 8 pm

Where: NASO wine bar. 1744 SE Hawthorne

Who: 
Maddy Ross (vocals)
Kathy James (keyboard)
Stu Fessant (Saxophone)
Mark Niemann-Ross (bass)

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Jazz Is Boring

My experience with Jazz hasn’t always been good.

As a listener, I would fidget while performers on stage rattled off a bunch of mystery notes. Some songs made sense: Linus and Lucy by Vince Guaraldi. Time out by Dave Brubeck. But otherwise, nope, just a bunch of noise.

When I learned to play jazz, it all became much more interesting. I learned about the parts of a song (AABA, for instance). I learned why jazz sounds the way it does (The circle of fifths is an amazing thing). I could recognize a good solo versus random musical scribbling.

Let’s be honest. A lot of jazz concerts are just plain stiff. If you’re paying attention, you’re looking at a group of musicians who seem to be very interested in what they are playing, but you probably don’t have any idea what they are doing.

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