Posts Tagged: Portland Oregon

First off, let me say that Wine Unwind is a really cute little shop in Portland’s Pearl District.  The ambiance, the acoustics, the owner… it’s truly special.  Reminds me of the awesome independent book store in the movie You’ve Got Mail that Meg Ryan’s character lovingly tends. (side note, let’s make sure that some massive wine conglomerate does not move in and crush this little neighborhood gem!) 

Our set list included a number of jazz standards—Our Love is Here to Stay, But Beautiful, Solitude, If I Were a Bell, What a Difference a Day Makes, Moondance… plus a few of my original songs.  We used the little tiny Mackie amp you can see in the video and it was totally perfect for the space. 

It’s fun playing with a big group but it’s also awesome to be able to work with just Dave—he is a really great musician and friend. 

Here’s an mp3 clip of one of my favorite standards—hope you enjoy it!

Give Me the Simple Life

Earlier on Saturday, I played at Troon Winery’s tasting room in Carlton with two wonderful musicians and friends—Nate Macy (guitar & vocals) & Bill Nippoldt (super cool hand percussion.)  We’ve done music together off and on since 1996 under the name QLO.  Nate had organized this show and his set list was eclectic and fun.  We did everything from Miles Davis’s Four to some Celtic fiddle tunes like After the Battle of Aughrim.  The music was a big hit and I’m hoping the folks who grabbed our card will remember to e-mail me about their benefit event in August. 

All in all it was a really great day and I’m thankful for the chance to go out and play and sing and for all of you who support live music!

Inspired by the cosmopolitan sights and sounds of Europe’s old cities.

Saturday, May 1st, 2010  at 8 PM
Wine Unwind: NW 11th & Lovejoy, Portland
Wendy Goodwin & Dave Iula
www.wineunwind.com
503.946.8482 for more information.

This photo, taken of the Kleines Cafe in Vienna, Austria on one of our European jaunts has been a visual reminder for me over the years of the type of music I want to create.  Romantic…nostalgic…cosmopolitan…and good!  As a lover of musical styles ranging from Renaissance to Hip-Hop, I’ve had to learn by trial and error that just because I can play something doesn’t mean I should.

Not that I’ve ever attempted to rap in public… but even within the jazz, folk and classical genres, there are things that ring true and others that I must leave to another artist to perform.  2010 in particular has been a year of really vetting what I want to play, sing and say as an artist right now. 

This upcoming evening at Wine Unwind is going to reflect that.  Right now I am drawn to music that one might hear on a street corner in one of Europe’s big old cities… or in a cafe or a small concert venue.  I’m connecting more with beautiful melodies, romantic and witty words.  I want to play and sing Jazz—an American invention true but with that sense of romance that I associate with Vienna. 

I’m trying really hard too to make every single performance a total investment.  Life is busy and time is precious.  When someone takes the time out of their busy lives to listen to my music I want to brighten their lives just a little.  The only way to do that is by being really authentic and giving every song my best.