Sarah Wolff and Blaine Heinonen started working together on the east coast in the Washington, DC, area, and then found themselves in the midst of Portland’s vibrant scene. Sarah is a terrific member of the Artichoke Music staff.

Carl is part of the Portland leadership for Soldiers Songs and Voices. Here he appears with Robert Owen, in an excerpt from a long-form interview and performance we captured at Artichoke’s new green screen production space. Check out this song, a moving example of what’s coming up on Carl’s new CD.

Christie tours nationally and is based on Asheville, North Carolina. She sold out our cafe and put on one of the year’s most memorable performances.

Gary is an Emmy-award winning A/V technologist who designed our cafe’s sound system, recognized as one of the best in the region. He’s also an incredibly talented songwriter and performer. Here he is invited by River City Folk to share some of his talent.

We interviewed Steve for a big show we put on to honor outgoing executive director, Bob Howard. A cherished resource for the history of blues guitar, and a consummate performer, Steve was invited by River City Folk to take the Artichoke stage. We can’t wait to have him back.

John graces our stage regularly, and is a friend of Artichoke thanks in part to our director of booking Shelley Garrett, who hangs out with some of the most talented musicians — especially blues musicians — in the United States. John is one of them, even though his music busts through lots of genres and his audiences are devoted to his eclectic approach. Here he is with the great Denny Bixby.

When Bob Howard started building out our facility upon arriving at Powell Boulevard, he knew the stage needed the kind of wood floor that our longtime performance partners, Tablao Flamenco, needed. Their shows sell out, and amp up the charm, diversity, and world flavor of our venue. So grateful to be working with them!

Our partnership with the Portland Radio Project includes co-promotions, specially curated shows featuring the music and voices of the region’s best women performers — and even beer coasters. Stop on in and put one of their coasters under your beverage and enjoy this remarkable group of talented performers — here including our very own A/V volunteer, Gina DeNoble. We’re so lucky to have you on our team, Gina!

Ronnie Carrier joined Portland Music Project’s special performance series at Artichoke with her fantastic songs and beautiful performance. On a triple bill with Nyah and Erin Westfall, it was a memorable night.

A great series, River City Folk always brings wonderful performers and songwriters. Tom May holds court with his unique blend of storyteller, journalist, and musician. Here is one of our favorite excerpts from this special performance.

Every time Mary performs on our stage, the music is entertaining, authentic, and memorable. Her guest this evening was Adam Scramstad, a brilliant guitarist who blended with Mary’s sound and style. They teased each other and told stories that were as entertaining as their terrific music.

We started the LIT Jazz Jam in June of 2022, and even though our budget forced us to move from weekly jams to monthly ones, it has gotten increasingly more popular and well-attended. It attracts the best of the region’s high school players as well as professionals and semi-pros. Here, our very own Braden Johnson sits in on drums to join Portland heavyweights John Nastos on sax and Ross Garlow on bass. The song is Cole Porter’s Night & Day, and it swings hard.

Off-the-hook talent and showmanship. If you don’t know these two, check them out here.

Joined by musical and life partner Chance Hayden, one of the region’s great multi-genre guitarists, the legendary singer Shelly Rudolph puts her own jazz, blues, and storytelling spin on classic Frank Sinatra songs, some of which were also popularized by singers like Billie Holiday, Nat King Cole, and so many other anchors in the sustaining legacy of America’s great popular songbook. With the great Bill Athens on bass, Shelly delivered a special book of music that already has started to sell out the big venues in town — and we saw it debut at Artichoke Music to a full crowd.