An uncommon occurrence was almost as impressive as the elegant music rendered by pianist Randy Porter, bassist Tom Wakeling and drummer Todd Strait at The 1905 in Portland, Oregon, on Tuesday, August 22. Not a single member of the capacity audience of 40 uttered a peep during the first 65-minute set.
Three elements contributed to the blissful absence of chatter: a $15 cover charge, a stern advisory not to talk before the first note was played and a requirement to order all food and drinks on a phone app.
Thanks in no small part to Strait, the music was worthy of rapt attention. Even though he spends much of his time in Portland, Strait is still recognized as one of Kansas City’s most outstanding musicians.
The joy-infused, straight-ahead swing he guided at the 1905 sounded a lot like PBT, Strait’s storied trio with Paul Smith and Bob Bowman. Alarmingly, the pristine Portland experience seems to be endangered.