Host Dmae Roberts talks with Portland Jazz great Thara Memory and Librettist S. Renee Mitchell about Sherman: A Jazz Opera opening at Ethos-IFCC during Black History Month. This is a prelude to a larger work to be developed next year. Sherman highlights Portland's jazz history during the 1940s-50s, a high point of jazz when a growth of African American families moved into the North Williams Ave.

Thara Memory & Reggie Houston

The show centers on Sherman Thomas a gifted saxophonist who mesmerized audiences in smoky jazz clubs at a time when the African Americans during WWII came to Portland to build war ships and also brought their East Coast music dubbing North Williams Avenue, the "Black Broadway."

Performing Thara Memory's score in Sherman: A Jazz Opera are some of Portland's best musicians including Janice Scroggins, Reggie Houston and LaRhonda Steele. The show runs February 18-27 at Ethos @ IFCC located at 5340 N. Interstate Ave. in Portland.

Reggie Houston and LaRhonda Steele. Photo by Jon Farley

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