At Queen of Hearts - Hot trio hosts Tuesday Night jam session
One recent Tuesday night, this writer found himself wandering a little ways from home; well, on the other side of town anyway. It was brought to attention that there was a jam going on that was “really worth checking out” and there sure was. The place is the Queen of Hearts on the corner of S.E. 72nd and Harold, in S.E. Portland.
The jam was hosted by some of the hottest names in Portland: Kerry Dean Stickler on lead guitar; Brian Foxworth on drums; and Gary Fountaine on bass. The trio that calls themselves Stickler, Fountaine and Foxworth was joined for most of the evening by Chuck Barber on percussion. Barber has previously worked with the band War, and is now with the Original Lowrider Band.
The foursome woke up the room for sure when they broke into the song Lowrider and morphed it into Cisco Kid. There wasn’t a closed mouth in the house; every jaw was dropped. Also joining in was Frankie Redding on keys. Most know Redding as the keys master of the Norman Sylvester Band. If all that wasn’t enough, three of the four members of the Sandy Saunders Band made an appearance and just about rocked the brass rail off the stage. When PE&D asked Saunders what she thought of this jam, she replied "The room is filled with so much talent, I can't tear myself away, I’m staying until the end."
The Queen of Hearts is undergoing a revamp of their music program and they’re doing it in full force. Owner Joe Evans had this to say: “We are bringing back the music that is the roots of America. We’re bringing to our stage the cream of the crop in local musicians.” For the past couple years, the bar has tried a different approach to music with different management. Now, Evans and his wife Heidi have taken back the reins and are hitting it hard with America’s music. Blues, rock, southern blues, country-rock, is the kind of music that Joe calls American roots music. There is a line on the Queen of Hearts web site that reads, “The next best thing to Austin City Limits without leaving Portland!” That pretty much sums it up.
For now, the Queen of Hearts is offering live music five nights per week and is hoping to add a sixth night soon. Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday are all open jam nights with some of Portland’s best talent as hosts. Friday and Saturday feature full bands.
If you are a musician or a music lover, you really should stop in to take in the great entertainment that the Queen has to offer. Even if you’re not a music lover, you should come in for the pork chops or any of the other mouth-watering items on the menu. This music lover will be back for both.
Find the Queen of Hearts on Facebook: search “Queen of Hearts Tavern.” You can also find them on ReverbNation and at: www.queenofheartstavern.com/
