Maria Muldaur is our guest on Coffeeshop Conversations this week.
She will be in Oregon for two upcoming shows; in Eugene at WOW Hall on Friday, April 8 and a sold-out show in Nehalem the next night.
Right now she’s in Mill Valley, California.
Don’t you dare call her a one-hit-wonder because she has been lending her voice to her own band and dozens of other groups for a long long time.
Next week, our guest will be writer Shawn Levy on his upcoming book on female comedians from Moms Mabley to Joan Rivers.
But right now let’s talk to the lively and enthusiastic Maria Muldaur.

Maria Muldaur: From Marin with Soul / CC#330

For the first time since December, I am back at Artichoke Music in their Café. I had surgery in January…which worked and I did a few months in Skype prison.
I have a new and different surgery in about a month and we’ll go back to Skype then until I heal, but for the next few weeks, it’s GREAT to be back and talking to people in person across a table, coffee in hand.
Today I am very happy to have Meg with me. You know her as Meg Samples on KMHD and also as drummer and new Executive Director of Portland Jazz Composers Ensemble under the name of Meg Morrow.
She took the PJCE gig not long ago and is busy making her mark. We’ll find out what that might be and ask her if she knows any drummer jokes.
Meet…well, Meg.

Meg Morrow of the PJCE and Meg Samples of KMHD. It's the same person CC#355

Welcome back to the Café in Artichoke Music. I’m Tom D’Antoni. Sitting across from me is Pepe Raphael, a singer and dancer who may be best known for his Pepe and the Bottle Blondes ensemble.
He was a member of Pink Martini too. He’s pretty much legendary around here and even moreso since he added a spectacular handlebar moustache.
While keeping the Bottle Blondes always at the ready, his main project at the moment is a trio by the name of the Vegan Carnivores.
Yeah, I know. I don’t know what it means either. We’ll find out.
We’ll get to the bottom of that and a lot more in the life of Pepe Raphael.

Pepe Raphael: A delight with or without the Bottle Blondes / CC#350

It’s the second installment of Why Did He Choose to talk with accordion players three episodes in a row.
Last time it was Darka Dusty, next time it’ll be Jety Swart aka Jet Black Pearl and this time it’s our old friend Courtney von Drehle.
Bela Balogh, his collaborator of a couple of decades in groups like Three Leg Torso was supposed to be here too but he had a gig tossed his way at the last minute.
They’re working on a new holiday show called The Elves of Frostländ - The Next Generation featuring film segments directed by Bela.
 It’ll be at the Alberta Rose Theatre on December 17.
Let’s do some catching up with the ever clever Courtney von Drehle.

Courtney von Drehle: A new holiday show for 2022 with Bela Balogh / CC#361

This time with me here is pianist/composer Greg Goebel, known for his virtuosity as well as his versatility. We’ll get into that and at the end of our conversation we’ll here one of his compositions. 
He’ll also talk to us about that and his work with Chris Brown and how some Jazz takes on some popular tunes fits into what he does.
That synthesis is part of the history of Jazz, and it hasn’t stopped.
Nor has Mr. Geobel. Nor have we. Upcoming Coffeeshop Conversations will feature John Averill, founder of March Fourth. Also coming up is Chris Doss the Executive Director of PDX Jazz to fill us in on this year’s Portland Jazz Festival.
Right now, meet Greg Goebel.

Greg Goebel: Versatility at the keyboard / CC#367

In the Artichoke Café again. Coming  up in the next couple of weeks, Peter Dammann to tell us all about the lineup for the Waterfront Blues Fesival, Terry Robb, famed guitar slinger, and Jazz bassist Dennis Caizza.
Today I’m very happy to welcome China Forbes of Pink Martini but not only Pink Martini, she has a new album of her own in the works and will be singing with the Oregon Symphony on Saturday, May 6.
That’s a lot to talk about. 
As I’m sure you know China has been with Pink Martini since circa 1995. It’s something that’s taken her all over the world. One thing I will ask is has she ever gotten tired of singing Brazil.
Let’s welcome China Forbes.

China Forbes: Singing with the Symphony, a new album and (well) Pink Martini CC#379

This is the three hundred and eighty-fifth episode of Coffeeshop Conversations. That’s a lot of talking and not all of it by me.
Next week KMHD’s head honcho Matt Fleeger will be here and the following week Nicole Lane, ace publicist will visit the Café.
Today writer Larry Colton is sitting across from me. He has authored six books, was the founder of Wordstock, now known as the Portland Book Festival. He was also a pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies and the beloved Portland Mavericks.
What? No music? What me worry?
By the time we’re finished that will not be an issue.
Welcome back Larry Colton.

Larry Colton: Author, book festival founder, baseball pitcher returns to the podcast. CC#385

Ever wonder what a music publicist does all day? Or even what one is?
With me in the Artichoke Music Café is Nicole Lane who has much experience doing that.
I know publicists. I get a hundred emails a day from them. I chose Nicole because she’s so good at it, as you will see.
She works for Chamber Music Northwest but she’s done work for multiple genres of music. The job stays the same no matter what.
And what is the job?
Meet Nicole Lane.

NIcole Lane: What does a music publicist really do? CC#387

Regular Coffeeshop Conversations followers know that every once in a while we like to bring in one of the folks who help bring you OMN.
Today photographer Anthony Pidgeon is in the Artichoke Café with me.
Performance photos are a major part of OMN’s coverage of Oregon’s music makers. We have several excellent photographers who brave photo pits to capture unforgettable moments in music.
Not long ago, Anthony had EIGHT photo galleries from this month’s Pickathon. That’s a lot!
Let’s meet Anthony Pidgeon.

Anthony Pidgeon: OMN photographer, how he does it CC#395

Sometimes we  have fresh new faces on the scene come to the Artichoke Music Café, and sometimes we welcome musicians who have been around the block a time or two. People who have long-time fans but who have never stopped evolving and discovering new music within them.
Steve Wilkinson was in Gravelpit and Mission 5 and his current band Wilkinson Blades, but he’s releasing his first solo album Truth or Consequences, recorded over eight days with producer Rob Stroup in Truth or Consequences New Mexico. 
Want the truth? When we started rolling I got his name wrong.  What a dope. I’m leaving it in.

Steve Wilkinson on his first solo album Coffeeshop Conversations #405

Six years ago, the last time David Monette was our guest on Coffeeshop Conversations, we called him “Portland’s Stradivari” because the trumpets he designs and builds are the equivalent of a Stradivarius violin…and he makes them for some of the world’s greatest musicians at his shop out near the airport in Portland.
He's back because he has a new book called “Calculus of Life: A Practical Guide to Transcendence.”
What does that have to do with music? According to David, just about everything.
He’ll be giving a talk at Portland’s New Renaissance bookstore on Saturday, May 25.
On Tuesday, May 21st, he’s bringing musicians in from nearly everywhere to perform and to mark the publication of the book. The event is sold out but he’ll be streaming it. Watch it here.
Let’s talk with David Monette.

David Monette: A new book on transcendence in life and music CC#420

Hi, Tom D’Antoni, as always, with another Coffeeshop Conversation from Artichoke Music.

Coming up soon we’ll have OMN’s National Editor Art Levine with a conversation on UFO’s and music, not that they have anything to do with each other.

Also upcoming, Ticket Tomato’s Amy Maxwell on the Live Nation controversy, Yvonne Lerch on booking the Cathedral Park Jazz Festival. A new episode every week.

Today, Adam East is in the building. He’s been at the Alberta Rose Theatre since it opened in 2010 and has helped build their reputation as one of Portland’s best loved venues

He’s their talent buyer. You may also know him as a musician, which he still is.

Adam East : Meet the person who brings the talent to the Alberta Rose / CC# 421

Springtime at the Artichoke.
Coming up soon on Coffeeshop Conversations…Yvonne Lerch will us about curating my favorite music festival of the summer…Cathedral Park.
Also, an interesting person who combines the life of a Blues musician with a car mechanic. 
And I promise our National Editor, Art Levine will finish his five or six thousand word piece on UFO’s in time to make an appearance here.
Today Amy Maxwell, founder of Ticket Tomato who is here to fill us in on the Live Nation situation, how we got here and what’s to come.

Ticket Tomato's Amy Maxwell on the Live Nation situation and all things tickets CC#422

It’s the return of  OMN’s Coffeeshop Conversations!
We published the last new one at the end of August, at which time I became a much-to-frequent visitor to various medical facilities, had a number of surgeries and procedures and generally had a bad tme of it.
I’m not out of the woods yet and not quite ready to return to Artichoke Music, but in the meantime Paul K Ward, pianist, composer, engineer and all around helpful person is recording these new episodes from his studio blue.
I have to tell you that I am thrilled to be able to make fresh episodes of  Coffeeshop Conversations again and I  thank everyone who came to my aid and offered support of many varieties. I Love you all for it.
So, here I am at my desk some of my  guests join in at Paul’s studio,  and there will be others in which we’re all internet connected.
This time, it’s the latter.  Meaning, today OMN’s National Editor Art Levine is on the line from his place in Washington DC. The jumping off point will be the Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown.
In one form or another, Art and I have been Dylan fans since we were teenagers, and Dylan himself was just out of his teens. 
So let’s jump right in.
We’ve both seen the movie. 

OMN Art Levine - A Complete Unknown

Happy Mardi Gras everybody.
Things are winding up or winding down to Fat Tuesday on March 4th 2025…Depending on how you look at it.  And who better to help us find out all about the big fun here in the Big Rainy is Steve Kerin, keyboardist and co-founder of the Misty Krewe of Nimbus, our own Portland Mardi Gras Krewe, Steve Kerin.
The Krewe is throwing their annual Mardi Gras Ball at the Wonder Ballroom on Saturday, March first  and then on Mardi Gras day it’ll be time for their big Parade.
That’s when the big bass drum leads the big parade
Paul K Ward is producing today’s episode, he’s at the controls at his studioblue…one word all lower case and a big thank you to him for helping to pull the podcast out of hiatis hell while I recover.
I’m at my desk in Northwest Portland, and Steve Kerin is at home in NE Portland.
Steve, Hey now and Happy Mardi Gras!


Steve Kerin on  the Mysti Krewe of Nimbus Mardi Gras Doings / CC#434

Glad you found us after a couple of weeks off, OMN’s Coffeeshop Conversations is back. Paul K Ward is at the control in his Studio Blue Productions headquarters, I am still at my desk on NW Lovejoy Stret because I’m not quitte ready to return to the world.
With Paul is today’s guest Nichollas Grier,  pianist, a mental health therapist, professor of Practical Theology and counselling at Claremont School of Theology and a councelor at the Bishop Wellness center at Wilamette University.
He has a presentation at the 1905 club, it’s called Juneteenth Emancipation Jazz Concert on Thursday, Jun 19th and Professor Grier is with Paul in the studio to tell us all about it.


OMN - Tom and Nicholas Grier

Vocalist/bassist Lisa Mann is coming back strong from a severely broken leg, as only she can. She's gigging again and is full of the fire and energy we've come to know. But that's not all we talk about, as you might expect. You'll like this one.

Lisa Mann: You can't keep Ms. Mann down! Coffeeshop Conversations #439

Welcome back to OMN’s Coffeeshop Conversations yet again not at Artichoke Music, although we’re getting closer.
I’m at my desk in Northwest Portland and Paul K Ward is in his studioblue on the other side of town, at the controls along with our guest making a return appearance, saxophonist, vocalist and educator and once again a resident of Portland…….our friend Reggie Houston.
He’s got a new band, something I’m eager to hear about. He has a birthday gig coming  up at EAT that combination restaurant and venue that’s been a home to him and various ensembles he has put together.
That’ll be on Wednesday, July second.
Reggie has done several memorable Coffeeshop Conversations so let’s get rolling on this one


Reggie Houston: Living in Portland again and with a new band / Coffeeshop Conversations #440

Glad you found another OMN Coffeeshop Conversation once again not at Artichoke Music…yet.
Paul K Ward is at the controls again in studioblue…all one word, lower case,and  doing a great job of being the real reason why there still are Coffeeshop Conversations Artichoke or not. 
I’m at my desk in Northwest Portland.
With Paul is guitarist, composer and educator Ryan Meagher and we’re going to talk baseball.
He’s a Giants fan and I’m an Orioles fan so there are no bitter rivalries between us.
Ok, we’re not going to talk baseball. That’s for when we’re not rolling.
I could give you a list of what Ryan is up to, but it’s hard to keep up with him. Let’s just say he does a lot of things and we’ll let him tell us what they are in the order he thinks best. 


Ryan Meagher:  Adding to the composer/guitarist/educator/administrator's versatility. Coffeeshop Conversations #441

First of all, thanks for all the Birthday wishes. Much appreciated. Of course, it’s another reminder of my age. Not much I can do about that.
Thanks also once again to Paul K Ward for recording and editing at his studioblue in Northeast Portland as is our guest. I’m at my desk again in Northwest Portland.
You know lots of musicians moved to Portland because of our music scene, at least in part.
Today we’re talking to Debra Giannini who has lived all over the place, moving to Portland in 1990. She had multiple careers, the musical one being as a singer/songwriter and folk music artist.
But she’s about to leave town, to a degree. And as such she’s about to launch a farewell Portland tour, singing and playing guitar and baritone ukulele.
She’s calling it  “The Savoring Time Tour.”  It begins in Portland and  ends (if there is such a thing) in Kansas where she will light like a butterfly on a leaf.
That seems like a good time for me to  stop talking  and let her explain herself.

Debra Giannini's Semi-Farewell Tour / CC#443

Happy to be with you for another OMN Coffeeshop Conversation.
I’m Tom D’Antoni at my desk in NW Portland. At the controls in NE Portland studioblue…all lower case…all one word is Paul K Ward without whom Coffeeshop Conversations wouldn’t exist in its present form.
As Dr. John would say, A big round of ammunition for Paul. And along with hin is our guest today, Jim Friscia, from an organization called Swan Songs, musical last wishes. What’s that? That’s what we’re here to find out.
Jim was one of the founders of Portland’s own Mardi Gras Krewe The Missti Krewe of Nimbus
Which makes merry every Mardi Gras.
And we are still trying to have lunch at that Sicilian restaurant…what was it again Jim?
And what do you recommend?

Jim Friscia: On Swan Songs and their upcoming benefit show CC#444

What we’re going to do this week is talk to Arietta Ward and Terry Robb. The backstory? You remember Sly Stone passed away on June 9th I did a memorial set on KMHD’s I Like It Like That.
But there was one song I wanted to play and I couldn't find the album no matter how hard I looked and I have a lot of CD’s. It was a lengthy search and very frustrating. 
I was on the last shelf, the last place it could be and there it was. The song was If You Want Me To Stay and the version I wanted to play was from an album called Sista by Portland’s angels; Janice Scroggins and Linda Hornbuckle.
You know how you get when you hunger for knowledge about something you love? That is precisely why Janice’s daughter Arietta Ward is here. 
She was there at the recording sessions. Also with us is Terry Robb who produced those sessions.
And by the way, the day I found it would have been Janice’s birthday.

Arietta Ward and Terry Robb on the making of Janice Scroggins and Linda Hornbuckle's "Sista"

Tom D’Antoni back with you for another, as a matter of fact the four hundred and forty sixth Coffeeshop Conversation.
Well, yeah I’m proud of that. Proud also that returning to the bat controls at his own studioblue in Northeast Portland is the very busy pianist/comper/proudcer Paul K Ward.
I’m still at my desk in Northwest Portland. Sitting next to Paul is the fabulous Miz Kitty of  Miz Kitty’s Parlour…l o u r…the long running vaudeville show, which returns once again on Saturday, October 18th to the Mission Theater. 
We’ll find out who’s playing in a bit.
Miz Kitty, in her other life is Lisa Marsicek, she of many bands, maybe the most well-known of which  was the Flat Mountain Girls who many of us still miss.

Miz Kitty's Parlour returns

Paul Brainard: Playing many instruments including "The Fun Machine:   Coffeeshop Conversations #448

December 4, 2014
Spend an hour with one of the busiest, most versatile saxophonists in Oregon. You know her from the Quaraphonnes, Soul Vaccination and many other bands, but you've never heard her like this.

So much of our lives seem to center around our favorite coffeeshop, that when I wanted to start a series of hour-long interviews with some of the most interesting people in Oregon, I thought, "Why not a a coffeeshop?" So here's the first, recorded, as they all are, in the "cupping room" at World Cup Coffee and Tea at NW. 18th and Glison.

And before we go any further, yes I know that "coffeeshop" is usually two words. Well, I decided to change that. So there you have it.

Mary-Sue Tobin is no stranger to OMN. You've seen our shorter video interviews, read about her with the Quadraphonnes and as a huge part of the Cathedral Park Jazz Festival. You know her from her years with Soul Vaccination and with countless Jazz bands including Andrew Oliver's bands and the Paxselin Quartet, even with the Oregon Symphony and in the pit band at Portland Center Stage as well as a full complement of teaching.

As well as you think you may know her...as well as I think I may know her, once you spend an hour talking, you learn a lot about a person. That's why we're doing Coffeeshop Conversations.

Engineered by Stephen Blackman

Coffeeshop Conversation #1 / Mary Sue Tobin

March 30, 2016
Welcome back to World Cup Coffee and Tea at NW 18th and Gilsan in Portland for another OMN Coffeeshop Conversation. I’m Tom D’Antoni and this time I’ve got with me J. Michael Kearsey of the Brothers of Baladi, a band celebrating forty years of making their own special brand of Middle Eastern music.
Their new album is called Gravity of Love…we’ll find out what that means. It has been eight years since the last Brothers of Baladi album and this one is crafted with much care and patience over a four-year period.
It also has a new twist. There are electronics on this one. A new step which we’ll also find out about.
Michael is also Secretary of the Oregon Music Hall of Fame and we’ll find out the latest from them.

J. MIchael Kearsey of Brothers of the Baladi: CC #60 - A long-awaited new album

Glad you have returned to OMN’s Coffeeshop Conversations which always take place at World Cup Coffee and Tea, NW 18th and Glisan.
Today we’re going to find out why Rob Stroup…singer, songwriter, composer, producer and recording engineer is moving his studio and the rest of his life from Portland, where they all were born, to New Mexico.
I know, surpising,right?
Rob and his wife Naomi…a duo they call Moody Little Sister took a long time to come to this life-changing decision.
A lot of music has come through his 8-Ball Studio including the latest by Debroah Arlyn.
He’s got lots of gigs before the move. His Fourth Annual Camping Concert Happens Friday, August 25 through Sunday, August 27 at Dundee Lodge in Gaston, Oregon.
Let’s talk to Rob Stroup.

Rob Stroup: CC#106 Moving to New Mexico

Thanks for coming back to OMN’s Coffeeshop Conversations. As always, we’re at World Cup Coffee and Tea at NW 18th and Glisan in Portland.
We were all scared to some degree when the Columbia Gorge was set on fire. Some to a larger degree than others.
In the coffeeshop with me is Billy Oskay who lives in Corbett. His famed recording studio, Big Red Studio, as well as his home were within a few miles of the Eagle Creek fire.
Can you imagine what that must have been like? You don’t have to because Billy is here to let us know.
We know the end of the story. The courageous firefighters did their job, but so did the rain and winds.
What did he do when he got an evacuation warning?
How are things now?

Billy Oskay: CC#118 - Big Red Studio survives the Eagle Creek fire

This delightful bit of cleverness took place at the Art Bar on Saturday, February 22, 2014 as part of the Portland Jazz Festival 2014's Jazz Conversations

Bob Dorough & Dave Frishberg at Portland Jazz Festival 2014

Vicki Green intro
Welcome back to the Café at Artichoke Music for another OMN Coffeshop Conversation. I’m Tom D’Antoni, as you may know.
Do you need a coach? Think about it. Wouldn’t that be nice? To have someone on your side who wants to help you improve your work….and can’t fire you?
With me is Vicki Green who is a Performing Artist Coach. What’s that?
That’s what we’re here to find out.
In addition to musicians and bands, she coaches actors, writers, directors and playwrights.
Let’s meet Vicki Green.

Vicki Green: What is a Performing Artist Coach? / Coffeshop Conversations @ Artichoke Music #264

Hi there. Next week Chris Doss, Executive Director of PDX Jazz and the Portland Jazz Festival will be here to give us our annual rundown of the performers, virtual as they may be this time around.
The last week of December and the first week of January we’ll have my two favorite Coffeeshop Conversations episodes of the year. That’s going to be fun.
But today, this is one of those times when I get to meet and talk for the first time with someone I should have met years ago. Dunno why we never did but today in the Artichoke Music Café I’ll be talking with Catón Lyles, percussionist, multi-instrumentalist in a wide variety of genres…and he’s an actor too.
He’s involved with an ongoing series of performances called Walk A Mile In Our Shoes….and we’ll get to that first.
Meet Catón Lyles

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