Sonny Hess & Rae Gordon join forces with top players to form hot ensemble
by K.R. Laurent
photo by Mark Warye
The Candlelight Café and Bar in Portland was filling up early for the performance of local legend Sonny Hess. As the band was setting up their equipment, the room excitement was growing. When it became show time, the band took the stage: Kevin LaBaron, tenor saxophone and vocals; Jim Hively, bass guitar and vocals; Kelly Pierce, drums and vocals; and the local legend, guitarist and vocalist Sonny Hess.
What makes Hess a local legend is that she has the ability to turn acquaintances into friends and friends into family. She accomplishes all of this within the performance of the music called The Blues.
In her hometown of Boise, Idaho, Hess was surrounded by music. She was attracted to the guitar, singing and performing at a young age. By the time she was 19 years old, she was performing with the band Koffee. The band played original music and cover songs, with Hess on rhythm guitar. Koffee had the opportunity to tour with notables such as Quarterflash and Foghat. Her performance became stronger as did her guitar playing opening for such acts as Bobby Womack and Etta James to mention a few. She then hooked up with the late blues diva Paulette Davis as Davis' lead guitarist and songwriter.
Hess merged her guitar playing knowledge and wrapped it around the style called the blues. The magic was born. With the new musical direction, Hess began developing her craft. With the sudden and tragic loss of Davis, Hess began living the blues. Determined to continue, Hess has carried on and to date has released 12 CDs. She performs tirelessly, traveling around the region from show to show. She has her own band, performs with the Women In Blues ensemble, and does shows from time to time with Ellen Whyte, in a duo called Jane Doe.
Her own band has developed over the years into a respected, professional, sought-after blues juggernaut. The current line up includes the aforementioned players and her new lead singer, Rae Gordon.
Gordon, hailing from Southern Calif., developed her musical styling in Hollywood. " I would go down to the club, The Comedy Store’s Belly Room, on open mike night because I love comedy to begin with; and with the music, started to sing there," Gordon recalls. She continued performing in West Hollywood piano bars.
Gordon started singing with local country music band Crystal Creek, after moving to Oregon in the late '90s. She also attended the jam sessions at the Trails End Saloon in Oregon City. The encouragement from the players and spectators was her spark.
In 2002, Hess invited Gordon to participate with the Women In Blues ensemble. "That was my first gig with Sonny," Gordon says. With the spark turning into a fire, Gordon started her own band, Rae and the Rebounders, which immediately got the recognition of blues organizations and was nominated as band of the year by the Cascade Blues Association. Gordon also developed a Sunday blues gospel show.
Setting her band aside, Hess invited Gordon to join forces. The two work well together. Gordon has a natural enthusiasm in her performance and a powerful voice to back it up. She engages the audience as displayed when one patron was holding his cell phone into the air so the receiving party could hear the band. Gordon walked over to the phone and sang into it. Gordon's vocal ability has matured with time as she sings sophisticated lead lines and tight harmonies with the band.
Pierce keeps the band's rhythm humming along. Growing up in Bremerton, Wash., Pierce developed his performance early on, playing in school bands and ensembles and continuing on through college. After leaving college with a performance degree in percussion, Pierce came down south to the Portland metro area. He immediately found musical work and started teaching percussion lessons, which he continues today.
While performing in numerous groups around the area such as Blue Light, Pierce was introduced to Hess 14 years ago. LaBaron informed Pierce that Hess had lost her drummer and asked if he was interested. Well, since he has performed with Hess for 14 years, apparently he was.
Hess comments on Pierce's ability; "I've been performing with Kelly for so long, that he knows where I'm going musically, naturally." Pierce points out that the music is one thing, but the friendships are another. "We all get along, we're friends." Pierce has a tight, yet fluid style, that lends itself well to the music. He also helps out on the vocal work singing both background and lead lines.
LaBaron planted himself in the Portland-metro area 20-plus years ago. After growing up in Jamestown, New York, LaBaron worked his way to the west coast. He started his musical journey in grade school band, developed his instrument performance knowledge to include the saxophone, flute and clarinet. By the age of 17, he was performing at Elks clubs and in Top 40 trios. He went on the road touring with a Top 40 band.
La Baron recalls, "I came off the stage and these two guys asked if they could buy me a beer. I sat down with them and they said to me, 'You are in the wrong band and the wrong club, you need to go to Portland, Oregon, where the audience will appreciate you.' So I thought about it, packed up everything and moved to Portland." He arrived and found work performing in a local big band.
LaBaron also played in the Beaver Trail Band and a Top 40 band Instant Credit. He went back on the road touring Asia, Canada, Reno and Vegas with the Pure Gold Show. When he came back to Portland, LaBaron hooked up with Paulette Davis and continued on with the Sonny Hess Power Band. He also has performed with Papa Salty and was nominated in 2005 and 2006 for "Best Horns" by the Cascade Blues Association. LaBaron not only plays saxophone, he also provides vocal work when performing with Hess. LaBaron says of performing with his band mates, "I love it, it's fun."
The other side of the rhythm section includes Hively on bass guitar. A native of Vancouver, Wash., Hively has played since he was 12 years old. He received his start performing at church. Hively went on to school bands and Top 40 rock bands, performing at school dances, colleges and nightclubs.
Now the current owner of River City Music in Vancouver, Hively was introduced to Hess after she called Pierce, who gives lessons at the River City store, to ask Hively if he would be interested in becoming her bass player. He agreed and has performed with Hess for five years and counting. Hively also sings lead and harmony vocals in the band. Hively states, "This is my extended family and I enjoy performing with them."
Now the current owner of River City Music in Vancouver, Hively was introduced to Hess after she called Pierce, who gives lessons at the River City store, to ask Hively if he would be interested in becoming her bass player. He agreed and has performed with Hess for five years and counting. Hively also sings lead and harmony vocals in the band. Hively states, "This is my extended family and I enjoy performing with them." The new project to be released by the band is a live performance CD featuring Rae Gordon called Time. The recording includes Hess, Gordon, Pierce, Hively and LaBaron with bass player/vocalist Lisa Mann performing on a few tracks.Hess expressed her mantra as taking pride in her personal performance. Her mantra has rubbed off on the band. Not only has the pride and quality of the music elevated, so have the friendships and the fun.
If you have never been to the Candlelight Café and Bar, it should be on your list of clubs to check out. Known as the home for live blues, soul and R&B in Portland, the Candlelight also offers great service and food, a well-stocked bar, and a dance floor besides the great music. The Candlelight is located at 2032 S.W. 5th Street. To keep up with Sonny Hess and the Band, CDs and more, check out www.SonnyHess.com and see Bandstand this issue.