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We all benefit from a strong music community
The truth is, we ALL benefit from the strength of our music community. Despite the hardships faced by Portland in recent years, music will be a huge contributor to our city's rebirth. Unlike our roses and amazing restaurants, our city's music can easily and instantly travel around the country and the globe, making it one of the greatest possible ambassadors of Portland's enduring contributions to the arts.
What we mean when we say ‘safety net’
Since I founded the JWF 501(c)3 in 2010, I’ve had the great pleasure of witnessing the power of our community in action. In that time, countless musicians, fans, and businesses have enabled our Musicians Health & Services Program to support more than 400 musicians and their families, providing more than $1.5 million in emergency assistance grants and navigation services.
A message from Decemberist Chris Funk
GivingTuesday is a movement that unleashes the power of radical generosity around the world. GivingTuesday reimagines a world built upon shared humanity and generosity.
The Eternal Waltz
The Alberta Rose and The JWF are keeping the music and magic alive – 47 years after The Band said goodbye in its epic concert, The Last Waltz. Portland’s annual event, The Next Waltz, showcases fabulous Oregon musicians recreating the original performance and reminding us how extraordinary it was
Blues Fest Cares: a partnership from the heart of Portland
Since 2021, the Waterfront Blues Festival has included the JWF Musician Health & Services Program as one of two organizations benefiting from the Blues Fest Cares program. Christina Fuller, event organizer, told us why the festival and the foundation are such a great fit.
Portland and the Piedmont Blues
We don’t get to hear a master of the Piedmont Blues guitar style very often. That’s why Mary Flower is in such demand – and why she is invited back year after year to the Waterfront Blues Festival. Read about Mary here.
Dan Haley Plays it Forward April 1st at The Laurelthirst
Dan Haley says, “We all need bread to eat, a roof over our heads, clean air and clean water. But we also need emotional sustenance that connects us to other people. To me, music is the most powerful force for that.” That’s why Dan is donating a recording of his songs performed by local musicians to the JWF Musician Health & Services Program. It’s his way of giving back to a community that always watches out for each other.
Join Dan & Friends Saturday April 1st at the Laurelthirst Public House to celebrate the CD release of CHORD GARDEN: A TRIBUTE TO THE SONGS OF DAN HALEY.
Cover Your Hearts 2023 - a night of 80s guilty pleasure love songs!
Nostalgic for the music and the fashion of the 80’s? Did you miss the 80’s entirely but love a great party anyway? Ready for some love songs, sweet, sour or wild? Then don’t miss the annual Cover Your Hearts ball, Friday, Feb. 17 at the Get Down.
End of Year Letter 2022 by Jeremy Wilson
My earliest memories are of song-circles–the beginning of my musical learning–and the singers and songwriters who surrounded me. I joined the school band in second grade and continued that training through high school. In fourth grade, I started seriously studying ballet, dancing five days a week. At thirteen, I bought my first electric guitar using money I earned collecting bottles and picking strawberries. A year later, I put ballet on hold and started my first rock band.
Cancer treatment meets the pandemic - Seann McKeel
Now that the music world is getting back to normal – and Seann is in very good health once again – she is continuing her work on behalf of children with cancer. She’s also looking forward to being there for others in the music community, as they were for her.