CONVERSATIONS
& WORKSHOPS

Interactions between jazz and technology, education, social issues, literature, film, and visual art.

PDX Jazz presents multiple learning opportunities throughout the year for jazz enthusiasts who want to learn more about their favorite artists and their approach to creating music. Our Jazz Conversations, “Behind the Boards” beat-making workshops, and performance masterclasses provide audiences of all ages an in depth look at the stories, inspiration, technique, and tools used by today’s top jazz artists to create music.

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  • Gary Bartz "Early Baltimore" 02/19/22

    Gary Bartz "Early Baltimore" 02/19/22

    2022 Biamp Portland Jazz Festival 'Jazz Conversation' snippet "Early Baltimore" with the legendary Gary Bartz and acclaimed author and historian Ashley Kahn at the ArtBar at Portland'5 Center for the Arts.

  • Gary Bartz "Hear Only That Which You Can Hear" 02/19/22

    Gary Bartz "Hear Only That Which You Can Hear" 02/19/22

    2022 Biamp Portland Jazz Festival 'Jazz Conversation' snippet about Miles Davis "Hear only that which you can hear" with the legendary Gary Bartz and acclaimed author and historian Ashley Kahn at the ArtBar at Portland'5 Center for the Arts.

  • Diane Schuur “Education” 02/19/22

    Diane Schuur “Education” 02/19/22

    2022 Biamp Portland Jazz Festival 'Jazz Conversation' snippet “Education” with the legendary vocalist Diane Schuur and PDX Jazz artistic director Nicholas Salas-Harris at the ArtBar at Portland'5 Center for the Arts.

  • Robert Glasper "Jazz Changes" 02/25/22

    Robert Glasper "Jazz Changes" 02/25/22

    2022 Biamp Portland Jazz Festival 'Jazz Conversation' snippet “Jazz changes" with Robert Glasper and news anchor, cultural ambassador Ken Boddie of KOIN TV, live from the Sunken Ballroom at the Portland Art Museum in advance of Robert's Black Radio presentation that evening with special guests Esperanza Spalding and PHER.

  • Robert Glasper "It’s in French" 02/25/22

    Robert Glasper "It’s in French" 02/25/22

    2022 Biamp Portland Jazz Festival 'Jazz Conversation' snippet “It’s in French’ with Robert Glasper and news anchor, cultural ambassador Ken Boddie of KOIN TV, live from the Sunken Ballroom at the Portland Art Museum in advance of Robert's Black Radio presentation that evening with special guests Esperanza Spalding and PHER.

  • Makaya McCraven "Universal Beings and In The Moment" 02/20/22

    Makaya McCraven "Universal Beings and In The Moment" 02/20/22

    2022 Biamp Portland Jazz Festival 'Jazz Conversation' snippet “Universal Beings and In The Moment” with the much-heralded drummer and beat scientist Makaya McCraven and acclaimed author and historian Ashley Kahn at the ArtBar at Portland'5 Center for the Arts.

  • Makaya McCraven “Deciphering the Message” 02/20/22

    Makaya McCraven “Deciphering the Message” 02/20/22

    2022 Biamp Portland Jazz Festival 'Jazz Conversation' snippet “Deciphering the Message” with the much-heralded drummer and beat scientist Makaya McCraven and acclaimed author and historian Ashley Kahn at the ArtBar at Portland'5 Center for the Arts.

  • Flor de Toloache "GRAMMY® win" with Lesslie Nuñez 02/20/22

    Flor de Toloache "GRAMMY® win" with Lesslie Nuñez 02/20/22

    2022 Biamp Portland Jazz Festival 'Jazz Conversation' snippet with all female Mariachi stars Flor de Toloache hosted by Lesslie Nuñez speaking about their GRAMMY® win, live from the ArtBar at Portland 5 in advance of Flor's performance that evening.

  • Flor de Toloache "Mariachi Culture" with Lesslie Nuñez 02/20/22

    Flor de Toloache "Mariachi Culture" with Lesslie Nuñez 02/20/22

    2022 Biamp Portland Jazz Festival ‘Jazz Conversation’ snippet with all female GRAMMY® winning Mariachi stars Flor de Toloache hosted by Lesslie Nuñez speaking about Mariachi culture, live from the ArtBar at Portland 5 in advance of Flor's performance that evening.

  • Robert Glasper "Hobby, Passion, Gift" 02/25/22

    Robert Glasper "Hobby, Passion, Gift" 02/25/22

    2022 Biamp Portland Jazz Festival 'Jazz Conversation' snippet "Hobby, passion, gift" with Robert Glasper and news anchor, cultural ambassador Ken Boddie of KOIN TV, live from the Sunken Ballroom at the Portland Art Museum in advance of Robert's Black Radio presentation that evening with special guests Esperanza Spalding and PHER.

  • “Behind the Boards” Kassa Overall feat. Giovanni Russonello

    “Behind the Boards” Kassa Overall feat. Giovanni Russonello

    “Behind the Boards” with Kassa Overall feat. Giovanni Russonello from The New York Times. Get a behind-the-scenes look at Overall’s process of crafting his signature sound in his lab.

  • "Behind the Board" with Blue Lab Beats

    "Behind the Board" with Blue Lab Beats

    “Behind the Boards” with Blue Lab Beats live workshop from their London studio feat. the jazztronica duo’s producer NK-OK and multi-instrumentalist Mr DM and an in-depth conversation on their process with Tony Nwachukwu.