Culture
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Portland’s LaRhonda and Lauren Steele make music a way of life, at home and on the stage
LaRhonda Steele has been called “The First Lady of Portland Blues,” lighting up stages at the Waterfront Blues Festival and at clubs around town. Her daughter Lauren has followed in her footsteps, blazing her own successful trail in the world of music and theater.
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Wynton Marsalis brings Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra to Portland
In an interview with KMHD, Marsalis talks working Portland jazz artists, the orchestra’s new material and his band’s internal integrity.
Christian McBride’s New Jawn: Tiny Desk Concert
This unpredictable, funky set showcases the distinctive creative interplay between each player's personality.
Patti Smith brings poetry and music to Portland’s ‘Living Room’
Organizers handed out water and set up misting systems to keep the audience cool as the Grammy Hall of Fame honored artist took to the stage on an abnormally hot day.

Portland Playhouse production explores protest and resistance through movement
Portland Playhouse is showcasing an interactive production called "The Sounds of Afrolitical Movement." The production explores different movements of protest and resistance from the past, present and future, and encourages the audience to participate as a way of protest, and healing.

An uneven recovery: Portland’s music economy continues to struggle
The city is home to over 800 music businesses — most of them small and independent. Two years into the pandemic, many still face challenges.

KMHD presents: A year in jazz 2021
KMHD curates a celebration of the most ascending jazz albums, singles and sounds of 2021.

Wall-to-wall soul: A Portland neighborhood’s bittersweet Black music history explored
The Albina Soul Walk chronicles the birth of a music scene and the injustices that destroyed it.

Carlton Jackson, KMHD host, drummer and advocate for Northwest jazz and blues, has died
Carlton Jackson, drummer, educator, longtime statesman of the Portland jazz and blues scene and veteran radio broadcaster, passed away recently at his home in North Portland.

Battle Hymns: From Founders To Today, Protest Music Is American Music
From Yankee Doodle to viral TikTok video remixes, protest music has a deep and rich history in our country. Protest music is American music.