BEST MUSIC POLL
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PORTLAND
Best Jazz Act in Portland
Treeyo
Photo: JON DONNELL |
Though they read closer to an organic hip-hop group than a traditional jazz act, this bit of genre flux can attest to Treeyo's fat-bottomed dexterity. The three core members — the illustrious Stu Mahan on bass, Tyler "Orange" Quist on guitar and keys, and drummer DJ Moore — toe a line between kicked-back house band and riotous soul-jazz ensemble. With clattering triplets and a stippled, rhythmic nod, Moore's calculated drumwork recalls the herky-jerk sample loops of an upstart hip-hop turntablist. A drummer any less deft couldn't pull off such a funky impersonation of amateurism. Balance this with a lack of pretension, a charming and inclusive arsenal of cover songs, and a healthy understanding of the occasional necessity to play loud, and you have a band a ton of people can get down to. They'll even let you grab the mic.
Runners-up
2. Portland Jazz Orchestra
3. Mark Tipton
4. Steve Grover Trio
