Paying homage to the Black musicians and artists of Oregon's short-lived wartime housing development (destroyed by a flood in 1948), the Vanport Jazz Festival invites surviving members of the Vanport community, renowned musical talent, and jazz aficionados to join together and honor this local history. This year, the festival will include performances from R&B singer-songwriter Joseph Lewis Thomas (known mononymously as Joe), world-renowned saxophonist Mike Phillips, smooth jazz legend Boney James, soul singer-songwriter Goapele, Scottish blue-eyed soul group Average White Band, and more.
by Audrey Vann