I was still a teenager when I first met world class drummer Ron Steen. He’d dropped by my jazz band class at Jefferson High School—then a performing arts “magnet” school—to offer some of the young turks like myself a few words of advice. Being 15, a drummer and roughly as neurotic as I am now,…

You probably know them by their bikes, white shirts, dark ties, lily-white complexions and the fact they show up at your front door at the worst possible time. Today we decided to turn the tables and show up on their front porch. Ha! Mormons, a.k.a. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day [sic] Saints are most…

Our first trip to the World Buddhist Preaching Association took place at noon on a Tuesday. Joel and I had just finished a gut-wrenching therapy session together, the kind that leaves you feeling exhausted, hungry, vulnerable and more in love than you ever imagined you could be. We filled up on pizza afterward and then…

By Joel Gunz Every Sunday at 6 p.m., Augustana Lutheran Church does a Jazz Service, starring some of Portland’s musical luminaries, like diva Marilyn Keller and legendary drummer and Pope of the jam session scene Ron Steen.  I’m sure the church has taken its share of flack for this (isn’t jazz worldly, or something?), but…

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