Blues and rock featuring Oregon's premier sax player

Biondi is one of those wonderful pieces of flotsam and jetsam that wash up on the shores of the Oregon Coast. Originally from Philly, he has played with everybody from Sinatra to Smokey Robinson, with the Platters and Gladys Knight; he's done the movies and the television. He gave up the L.A. scene in 1998 to live on the coast, playing his magic sax (sometimes two at a time) in tiny places for just the select crowd. He's done that before at the Landmark and he'll do it again.

Paul will be playing with Blue Nation, a Lincoln County band anchored by Steve Wheeler on bass. He's joined by Mark Mugnai, vocals and guitar; Rob Connell, vocals and guitar, and Linn Wheeler on drums.

giftedchildmusic.com/
paulhome

Coastal roots music via New York and Austin

Ken Petersen learned to play guitar in New York City in the late '60s. His teacher was John Lennon. He has played plenty of times since then but never lost the feeling of the early days. He's joined by Gary Brooker whose influences ride from the Delta into Texas and back home via the Southwest. With Vallorie Hodges on vocals and bass.

kennethp.net
www.bluesic.com

Five time winner of best blues harp in New Orleans, joined by lead guitar from the Nighthawks

Think Paul Butterfield meets the Fabulous Thunderbirds, Then toss in an Emerile-sized portion of cajun spice. Rockin' Jake moved from Connecticut to New Orleans in 1990 and lived there until forcibly removed last summer by the floodwaters of Hurricane Katrina. Always a lover of the road, Jake continues to tour from his new base in St. Louis, traveling across the county to bring his sound to big and small venues. It's a sound developed in a South Louisiana stew that includes blues diva Marva Wright, Mem Shannon, Coco Robicheaux, Little Freddie King, Tommy Ridgley, Eddie Bo and other local legends. He's soaked up the best. Jake is a five-time winner of Off Beat Magazine's coveted "Best of the Beat" award for best harmonica player.

rockinjake.com

BOTTOMS UP BLUES GANG

St. Louis group brings the sounds of the Mississippi

The Landmark is unique for many reasons, not the least of which is that it allows performers to perform. It gives a band like the BUBG a place to shine. And sometimes there will be that singer you wish you hadn't missed when she was on her way up. Meet Kari Liston of St. Louis. Mo., working hard on developing her style in places like Yachats, OR. She brings the river in her voice and pays close attention to its sound. Catch her before she's gone.

bottomsupblues.com

Rock and blues party time from the Stones to Etta James

T. Ray is a young singer finding her chops on stages like ours. She and the band bring in a high-energy approach meant for dancing. T. Ray plays off the sax blasts from veteran San Francisco player Scott Johnston on R&B and rock covers. And this band is a story of locals make good. Both T. Ray and drummer Matt Murray are from Lincoln County. They formed the band in Portland in 2005.

trayandtheshades.com

Original alt folk and rock from the bard of Eugene

Being who he is, John Shipe this spring finished recording a CD with a band he has led for two years, then broke the band up and quickly returned to his former solo self. But with songs like "Junkies on Film," "Imitation Man" and "Crawlspace" it really doesn't matter the number of others on stage with Shipe -- sure they add to the fun, but John is still the singer/songwriter. His stuff has been niched as "psychedelic Americana" and why not?

johnshipe.com

Eugene rockers bring a mix of Texas blues and originals

Blue Moon Society is a three-piece band consisting of Jason Anderson, vocals and lead guitar; Dan Pacheco, drums and vocals; and Brian Beck, bass and vocals. The band comes highly recommended from those in the know in Eugene. Expect some tight rock and subtle songwriting.

bluemoonsociety.com

From the Beatles to the present, hard-working rock and blues

The Dimes are an up-and-coming band from Portland, masters of the indie rock style that lets the story be told without drowning in sound. Johnny Clay cut his licks in the Austin, Texas, club scene but is happy he made the move to Portland. He runs his band around the country seeking a full-time living from his music. He's close to making that happen. The dust hasn't settled on The Dimes.

thedimes.com/band.htm

Kerin plays in the Professor Longhair tradition and is joined by some bandmates from Lafayette, Louisiana

The Great Flood of 2005 sent ripples around the country, musical ripples that left people on our side of the country like Steve Kerin, who plays Louisiana piano and sings and shouts and carries on. The Landmark reminds some of Tipitina's in New Orleans and Steve reminds everybody of the Professor when he trills those trills and rolls that keyboard. The Dirty Cajuns are led by  "roots troubadour Drew Landry, who isn't afraid to look the devil in the eye and take a swing at it." (Offbeat Magazine)

myspace.com/stevekerin-
piano

dirtycajuns.com

Texas swing and taste of the blues via Austin, Texas

Jim Kasner is a recent returnee to the coast from Austin, Texas, where he learned Texas swing and the dry blues. This band is probably the most improved outfit in the area, sharpening its sound and set list over the past three months. The group is ready for the summer, ready to kickoff a Solstice.

jameskasner.com/

From SRV to Hendrix - those rippin' blues from the south

J.R. is the consummate blues guitar player who can recreate the sound of the tradition as well as anyone. Stevie Ray rewrote the Texas blues of the 40s and 50s into the high-flying guitar styles that last today. J.R. was there when Stevie Ray invented this stuff and J.R. brings it right into the Yachats living room for your listening pleasure.

jrsims.com

Americana from the heart in the Rounder tradition

The Rounder tradition stems from the seminal '60s "old-timey" band, The Holy Modal Rounders, and has strolled along from East to West over the years, living and breathing in live performances. Lynn Conover and Lowell John bring together the hills and the city - the essential blend that defined the Rounder approach.

wweek.com/story.php?-
story=6774

Sizzling' blues guitar from a young man on his way up

In the four years 20-year old Jake Blair has played at the Landmark we've had the pleasure of watching the development of guitar sizzle at its cleanest. Jake is a juke box of things he's heard, things he's experienced through the sound and things he can spit back with his own slash and drive. He's settled into this three-piece band, where distractions few and the riffs just roll on.

portlandblues.com/band.-
php?id=74

The smooth sounds from Jerry and the bluest hogs around

Jerry and the Hogs give off a kind of glow when they perform under the red of the Landmark lights. But it's not the spotlights that make this band so lush, it's the tightness of the arrangements and Jerry's satin voice. The band has recently added Blue Owens, harp player extraordinaire, an addition that only makes the band better. And watch for Jerry's other projects through the year.

wpwservices.com/blues-
and_jazz_jam.htm

From Lafayette, Louisiana, a blend of zydeco and Cajun swamp boogie

This is the real deal. "Zydeco bounce, voodoo blues, the rugged poetry of Cajun living and loving," says Rolling Stone, reviewing the Bluerunners' newest album. Katrina only deepened the appreciation of the music that comes from south Louisiana. Rarely does a band like this make it to Yachats, so don't you dare miss it.

bluerunners.com

JULY 4TH WEEKEND - YACHATS
LA DE DA

Parade and fireworks in Yachats on July 4
more info

Covers the Beatles, America, Steely Dan, Steve Miller, The Doobie Brothers, Paul Simon, Jethro Tull and many more.

A new band formed by three guys with 80 years music experience between them. Orginally from California, Detroit, and Montana, the three have landed in Camas, Washington. Southern Cross promises three-part harmony, some slick guitar work and a mellow time for all.

southerncrosstrio.com

John Michael Young can play them all -- and does: funk, blues and rock

Some performers of the electric guitar stay outside the instrument; others, like the leader of Hookah Stew, go inside. John Michael Young formed this band 10 years ago and gave it a crash course of Cherry Poppin' Daddies, Aquarium Release and the Five Fingers of Funk. Some Stevie Wonder and a lot of Hendrix has rounded the sound in the past few years. Just ask him and he'll probably be able to play it. The band will start before dark and take a break during the fireworks, then play on afterward.

garageband.com/-
artist/hookahstew