Blue Cranes at The Falcon

Since their formation in 2007, Blue Cranes has become a key player in the Portland, Oregon creative music/DIY scene and one of the most exciting groups to keep tabs on in the Northwest. They’ve developed a singular musical voice grounded in melody and explosive improvisations—marking off their unique microcosmic territory in “post-jazz” circles.

The members of the quintet—Reed Wallsmith on alto saxophone, Joe Cunningham on tenor saxophone, Rebecca Sanborn on keyboards, Jon Shaw on bass, and Ji Tanzer on drums—bring a unique array of experiences to their group-centered aesthetic, including work with AU, The Decemberists, Laura Veirs, Wayne Horvitz, Rebecca Gates, Laura Gibson, Ethan Rose, Ezra Weiss, Black Prairie, and Portland Cello Project....

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Since their formation in 2007, Blue Cranes has become a key player in the Portland, Oregon creative music/DIY scene and one of the most exciting groups to keep tabs on in the Northwest. They’ve developed a singular musical voice grounded in melody and explosive improvisations—marking off their unique microcosmic territory in “post-jazz” circles.

The members of the quintet—Reed Wallsmith on alto saxophone, Joe Cunningham on tenor saxophone, Rebecca Sanborn on keyboards, Jon Shaw on bass, and Ji Tanzer on drums—bring a unique array of experiences to their group-centered aesthetic, including work with AU, The Decemberists, Laura Veirs, Wayne Horvitz, Rebecca Gates, Laura Gibson, Ethan Rose, Ezra Weiss, Black Prairie, and Portland Cello Project.

Blue Cranes has double billed with: Todd Sickafoose’s Tiny Resistors, Tim Berne’s Snakeoil, Kneebody, Ben Goldberg’s Unfold Ordinary Mind, John Hollenbeck’s Claudia Quintet, Honey Ear Trio, Wayne Horvitz’s Sweeter Than The Day / Pigpen, Allison Miller’s Boom Tic Boom, Ben Perowsky’s Moodswing Orchestra, Joel Harrison’s Spirit House, Timothy Young’s Thruster, Gutbucket, Portland Cello Project, Pete Bernhard (Devil Makes Three), Ages and Ages, RVIVR, Rebecca Gates (Spinanes), Emily Wells.

Blue Cranes has performed at: Winter JazzFest 2014 (NYC), Fusebox Festival (Austin), Earshot Jazz Festival (Seattle), Portland Jazz Festival.

http://www.bluecranesmusic.com/main_page.htm

"A truly unconventional approach to improvised music."
- WNYC

"Rich melodies and dynamic interplay."
- LOS ANGELES TIMES

"Hooky melodies and strong backbeats."
- CHICAGO READER

"Jarringly dissonant... poignant, soulful and reassuring."
- JAZZ TIMES

"One of Portland's brightest lights... evoking post-rock icons Sigur Ros and Godspeed You! Black Emperor."
- DOWNBEAT

"A force of nature."
- NPR

"Joyous interplay."
- UTNE READER

"Rocks harder than most rock albums and says more than most singer-songwriters--without any words at all."
- WILLAMETTE WEEK

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