Category Archives: Music

Here’s a place in Portland where it’s OK to touch a stranger in the dark

A pair of dancers tear up the hardwood during the Portland Swing Project's Friday Night Stomp at Maine Ballroom on Congress Street. Tom Whitehead and the Rights of Swing provided the live music. Troy R. Bennett | BDN

The plate glass window separating the hoofers from the Congress Street sidewalk kept fogging up Friday night. Folks walking by slowed down, craning their necks to see through the thin spots. A few rubbed their palms in disappointed circles, realizing the condensation was on the inside. Hot string jazz leaked out when the door was propped open to cool the room […]

Maine jazz great Brad Terry says farewell to Don Doane

Brad Terry sent me this photo of him and Don Doane playing some years ago, maybe at the Bridgeway in South Portland.

Maine jazz clarinet magician Brad Terry sent me an email today regarding the passing of his peer Don Doane. Brad asked if, by way of tribute, I’d share this passage from his book  “I Feel More Like I Do Now Than I Did Yesterday.” It’s all about Doane. The unmistakable, instantly recognizable gruff voice sounded angry. “Hey Brad. It’s […]