John Bunzow
Portland Oregon native John Bunzow’s mix of eclectic musical influences – melding blues, country, rock and even jazz – have helped establish him as an original artist of heartfelt depth, substance and style.
He’s as likely to draw on his love of the music of country legend Merle Haggard or scuffling barroom bard Tom Waits, as he is the smooth R&B and soul of Marvin Gaye, the iconic folk wisdom of Bob Dylan, James Taylor, Ry Cooder or the blues of Albert King.
After beginning his musical career in the Northwest scene playing in popular all-original bands the Cowboy Angels, X-Angels and more for over two decades, John set his sights on songwriter heaven – Nashville – scoring a songwriting contract with EMI Nashville/Famous Music and a recording contract with Liberty/Capitol Records. He quickly found his services in big demand with Nashville recording artists and had the opportunity to write for and perform with some of country and rock music’s biggest names.
His is deep roots music that touches the heart of anybody who’s ever raised a little hell on a Saturday night, or felt the pangs of a love gone bad. https://www.johnbunzow.com/
Denny Bixby (bass and vocals)
Oregon Music Hall of Famer Denny Bixby is known in his hometown of Portland, Oregon and far beyond as a creative, intuitive, and highly respected bassist and singer. His work with multiple Grammy and other award-winning, world-renowned artists (Rodney Crowell, Nanci Griffith, Buddy Miller, Suzy Bogguss, Chet Atkins, Mary-Chapin Carpenter, Kathy Mattea) and with Portland's own stellar musical community (Quarterflash, Curtis Salgado, Jon Koonce, Lloyd Jones, John Bunzow, Jack McMahon, Thad Beckman, Gary Ogan and many others) is well-documented.
Upon returning to Portland in 2005 after 18 years in the Nashville, Tennessee area, Denny continued his evolution as a musician by concentrating on songwriting and playing guitar. Denny has two solo albums to his credit. 2003's Fish Out of Water, recorded in Nashville, showcases his love of contemporary jazz and fusion with 10 original songs, and features his arrangements and production. His latest collection of songs, released in 2017, is entitled Joyride. The music falls into the Americana category and features roots, rock, folk, and country-influenced original material. https://www.facebook.com/Denny-Bixby-Music
Paul Brainard (pedal steel, lap steel)
(Alejandro Escovedo, Richmond Fountaine, Decemberists)
Multi-instrumentalist Paul Brainard is a veteran of the Alt-Country and Americana scene, playing and recording with many top names over the last decade and beyond. He specializes in all forms of Steel Guitar—pedal, non-pedal, Dobro—as well as guitar and trumpet. He is further noted for his producing skills and his instrumental arrangements of strings and horns.
Paul is currently a fixture of the local music scene in Portland, Oregon, where he is a much-in-demand sideman and session player. He also leads several ensembles of his own including a jazz organ trio, the Hawaiian-influenced Pu Pu Platters, and his Fun Machine Orchestra. His first self-released CD, Caught Steelin' was produced in 2007. https://paulbrainardmusic.com/
Jeff Donavan (drummer)
(Dwight Yoakam, Paladins, John Fogerty)
Jeff is a native of Ohio and has been playing drums since he was 12 years old. Influenced by music of the 60s and 70s, Jeff's love of jazz and rock helped define his own signature style. Jeff moved to Los Angeles in 1974 and began his career as an in demand session and touring drummer.
Jeff's first big break was recording and touring with Dwight Yoakam, playing on Dwight's first 5 albums with producer Pete Anderson. During this time Jeff also toured and/or recorded with Michelle Shocked, John Doe, Jim Lauderdale, John Bunzow (Liberty Records 1995), Social Distortion and John Fogerty to name a few. In 1993 Jeff took up residency with the Paladins, touring and playing on several albums with them while also continuing his session work.
In 2000 he began to focus on his lifelong love of straight ahead jazz producing 5 albums with the Donavan/Muradian Quintet. Jeff moved to Portland OR in 2020, reconnected with John Bunzow and has been having a great time playing shows with John and meeting other musicians in the Portland area. https://www.facebook.com/jdctet