The Portland Jazz Festival, in its 11th season this year, is presented each February in Portland, Oregon as a tourism initiative in celebration of Black History Month. Produced by PDX Jazz, a non-profit cultural arts organization, in partnership with Travel Portland, the Festival’s mission is to inspire, educate and develop future jazz audiences for generations to come. North Coast Brewing is proud to be the Official Beer Sponsor of the Portland Jazz Festival in support of its mission.

The Festival presents internationally recognized jazz masters alongside local jazz musicians. This season’s headliners include Winton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Ahmad Jamal, Dave Frishberg, Pat Metheny, Jack De Johnette, Esperanza Spaulding and Eliane Elias, amongst others. In addition to the beer sponsorship, North Coast Brewing is sponsoring two concerts: Brian Blade and the Fellowship Band and the Helen Sung Quartet. Also of special note is a performance by jazz pianist extraordinaire and longtime friend of North Coast, Geoffrey Keeser.

A series of jazz education and outreach programs that extend into the Portland schools and neighborhoods is at the heart of the annual event. Many of the performers engage in “jazz conversations” that are free to the public. Some of the performances by local musicians are free to the public and some have a minimal ticket price.

The Festival is held around the City of Portland in multiple venues ranging from intimate spaces that seat or 100 or less to a number of theaters that seat between 800 and 3,500 audience members. For more information and a complete schedule of performances, conversations and special events, go to the Portland Jazz Festival website.