JOE POWERS
TANGOHARMONICA

Joe Powers is accustomed to playing in many different settings
but when he heard Tango music for the first time he knew that
he had discovered a life long passion. He realized early on that the
harmonica with its vibrating metal reeds was a close relative of the
Accordion, Melodica, Concertina, and most importantly the Bandoneón. After hearing Hugo Diaz play Tango harmonica he became inspired by the possibilities and moved to Argentina in 2000. When he returned over a year later he began performing in his home-town of Portland, Oregon on the west coast of the United Sates. In 2003 he co-formed the Tango sextet, "Conjunto
Berretin" and since then the group has released two CDs, "Tango
for Lover's and Fools" in 2004, and "Tangamente" in 2005. The group has performed at major Tango events in the United States and Canada, including the Portland TangoFest, Valentango, the Seattle Tango Magic Festival, and is invited to perform in London and Moscow.

Joe made his European solo debut in the Fall of 2005, accompanied by Argentine guitarist, Gustavo Gancedo and bassist, Isabelle Duazac at the Mephisto Bal in Paris sharing the stage with NarcoTango. Since then he has performed many more concerts in Paris and Amsterdam including for the world Tango Championships in 2006 at Chalet Du Lac.

JOE POWERS    LEWIS CHILDS
A WORLD OF SONG

As the story goes… Joe had lost contact with his college friend, Lewis Childs for several years, then one fateful night at a concert entitled “Tango versus the Samba,” the two literally ran into each. Ironically, Joe had been in Argentina immersing himself in Tango music and dance while simultaneously Lewis with his lyric tenor voice and heart-felt guitar playing had been studying music in Brazil. Once re-united, they knew a joint venture had to happen.

Their repertoire is vast and eclectic, spanning the distances of language, geography, and culture, with selections from around the world including; Argentine Tango, Brazilian Samba, Israeli, Japanese, Russian, Swedish, Italian, and African folk songs, not to mention hot Blues, 30’s Jazz standards, Classical, and of course original compositions. Their performances are intimate and highly energetic. Their debut album, “World of Songs” (2005) captures this spirit of musical adventure featuring beautiful melodies from 10 different countries. 2005, will promise many exciting appearances for the duo in the Northwest and beyond including a tour to Japan in the fall. They are currently at work on a 2nd album, this time of original music.

CD REleaSES BY
JOE POWERS     LEWIS CHILDS

WORLD OF SONGS

CONJUNTO BERRETIN
PASSIONATE TANGO

After living over a year in Buenos Aires, Argentina Joe returned to Portland and co-formed what has been regarded as one the premier Tango music ensembles in the country, “Conjunto Berretín” www.tangoberretin.com. The group performs in a style called "a la Parrilla", literally, "at the grill", incorporating improvisatory elements of Jazz and Blues, but always maintaining a strong rhythmic foundation for dancing.

The group has appeared at major regional Tango events, including; Portland TangoFest, Valentango, Seattle Tango Magic Festival, San Francisco Blues-Tango Festival, Portland’s “The Thing”, Victoria Canada’s, Libertango Festival, and the 2006 Minneapolis Heartland Festival.

In 2004 half of all proceeds from their debut album, "Tango for Lovers and Fools" went to a relief charity in Argentina. In August of 2005, they released a second album, "Tangamente" a break-through project covering the full spectrum of tango music, from more traditional, to Tango hip-hop fusion.

In addition to Joe's harmonica and vocals, the group features Jazz pianist, Tom Grant, Oregon symphony assistant concert master, Erin Furbee on violin, Allen Regnier, principle bass for the Portland Cascade Symphony, and Tango master, Alex Krebs on Bandoneón, all of whom dance Tango as well.

CD ReleaSES BY
CONJUNTO BERRETIN

TANGAMENTE

TANGO FOR
LOVERS AND FOOLS

ROSE CITY KINGS
POWER-HOUSE BLUES

From 2002-Summer of 2006 Joe Performed with Rose City Kings
(www.rosecitykings.com), which the Oregonian newspaper hailed as "Portland's hottest new blues act" in 2003. Joe appeared on their first three critically acclaimed CD's which received national and international radio-play. During his time with the band the group was honored with several prestigious awards including; two Cascade Blues Association "Muddy Awards", for Best New Blues Act (2003), and Best Contemporary Blues Act (2004). In 2005, after winning the regional "Journey to Memphis competition" they traveled to Tennessee to represent the Northwest in the "International Blues Challenge". June of 2005 saw the release of their live CD, "Holler Out For More ", which later that month broke into the national Blues Roots top 50 Chart as the highest ranked independent release, and proceeded to hit number 85 on Real Blues Magazines Top 100 CD's of 2005. Real Blues also honored RCK as the , "Best Pacific NW Blues Band", "Best West Coast Blues/Rock band", and with the "Top West Coast Blues/Rock CD" - Up On It. Joe performed with the band at some of the Northwest region's top venues and festivals including, three consecutive years at the Portland Water front Blues Festival, The Bite of Oregon, and MusicFest NW. RCK also shared the stage with blues/rock legends like Bo Diddly, Coco Montoya, Tommy Castro, Duke Robillard, Marcia Ball, and Van Halen's original front man, David Lee Roth.

RCK Discography:
Joe appeared on the following Rose City Kings albums.
2003 - Delta Hop
2004 - Up On It
2005 - Holler Out for More

To hear some of Joe's harmonica solos from these
recordings visit the LISTEN page.