Press release
The Clatskanie Arts Commission is honored to present Clatskanie born and raised jazz musician, Justin Salisbury, in concert,
Sunday, August 10, at the Birkenfeld Theater, 75 S. Nehalem in Clatskanie.Jazz pianist Justin Salisbury will return to his hometown of Clatskanie for a special
performance with his international quartet. The group—which features an Italian saxophonist, bass player, and drummer—will performer Salisbury’s music at
Clatskanie’s Birkenfeld Theater on August 10 at 3 p.m.
In 2022, Salisbury released his first solo recording, Evergreen, to critical success. He released a follow up recording as a leader in 2023,
entitled Of Wonders Wild and New. In 2024, he was featured on a recording by Puerto Rican rapper, Residente, which won
a Grammy award. The pianist has been developing his musical voice and an international reputation ever
since. He’s now working with an international band that features some of Italy’s best young musicians—Daniele Germani on saxophone,
bassist Giuseppe Cucchiara, and drummer Andrea Nicolai. The group will be on a tour of the west coast, and Salisbury is
looking forward to making a special stop in his hometown to play at its historic theater for one afternoon only.
Salisbury grew up in Clatskanie and studied studying with several of the Pacific Northwest’s finest musicians,
such as Sharon Moe, Clay Giberson, Derek Sims, and Alan Jones. He received a full scholarship to the prestigious
Berklee College of Music in Boston. While there, he honed his skills by studying and performing with some of
America’s jazz elders, such as saxophonist Joe Lovano and pianist Joanne Brackeen. After school, he relocated to Brooklyn,
where he became an in-demand musician for jazz and pop bands, performing at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and multiple
international festivals. His concert at Clatskanie’s historic Birkenfeld Theater is a special event celebrating one
of the many important artists who have grown up in the Lower Columbia region and left to make their mark on American culture.
The most recent of those who also spent part of their youth in Clatskanie, is Cole Escola, who recently won a Tony for the Broadway
musical, Oh, Mary! Salisbury, like Escola, found artistic inspiration in the Clatskanie area, and the August
10 concert is a chance for him to return and share that inspiration with his hometown.
It’s a rare concert, and one not to be missed.
Tickets are available online at clatskaniearts.org, by calling Elsa at 503.728.3403 or at
the door the day of the performance. Tickets are $20/adults; $18/seniors and students;
$15 children.
Justin Salisbury
Sunday, August 10, 2025 | 3:00 p.m. | Clatskanie Cultural Center 75 S. Nehalem St. Clatskanie, OR 97016
Justin Salisbury is a Brooklyn-based pianist, composer and producer.
Justin began his musical journey taking piano lessons at an early age, as well as studying with several of the Pacific Northwest’s finest musicians, such as Sharon Moe, Clay Giberson, Derek Sims, and Alan Jones. In 2013, Justin had the honor of playing piano at the Portland Jazz Festival, under the direction of NEA Jazz Master Gerald Wilson. Later that year, he received the Jimmy Lyons Scholarship- a full-tuition scholarship to attend the renowned Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA.
Salisbury’s four years in Boston proved to be time of enriching experiences. Studying at Berklee College of Music gave him the opportunity to learn directly from teachers he had long admired, including Hal Crook, Ray Santisi, Joanne Brackeen, Bob Gullotti, Dave Liebman, George Garzone, Joe Lovano, and Alon Yavnai.
After graduating in 2017, Salisbury moved to New York City, where he currently resides. Within mere weeks, he had quickly established himself as an in-demand sideman and bandleader, actively involving himself in numerous musical projects. Today, Salisbury has traveled and performed at many festivals and jazz clubs around North America, Asia, and Europe, such as the Monterey Jazz Festival, Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, European Jazz Competition, Nancy Jazz Pulsations, and Pop Montreal.
Salisbury has also collaborated with many notable artists from diverse musical backgrounds, such as Mike Stern, Emel Mathlouthi, Eddie Chacon, Jerry Barnes, Marko Djordjevic, Evan Marian, Daniele Germani, and Rodney Green.
In 2022, Justin released his debut album entitled “Evergreen” featuring Max Ridley on bass and Dan Nadeau on drums.
To learn more about Justin, click HERE
For tickets, click the link below.
DONATE TODAY
Interested in making a donation to the Clatskanie Arts Commission to help continue bringing great events to our theatre? Please consider making a tax deductible donation today. To donate by check, please send to:
Clatskanie Arts Commission
PO Box 1110
Clatskanie, OR 97016
You can also donate online by clicking on the link below.
UPCOMING SERIES
North Coast Big Band in the Park
Band Sponsored by Donna Gerlock
Monday, September 1, 2025 | 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. | Clatskanie City Park
Thie is a free concert in the park. Bring your own chair. Bleachers will be provided. Food and drinks available for purchase with proceeds going to the Clatskanie Arts Commission.
Jaca
Saturday, October 4, 2025 | 7:30 p.m. | Clatskanie Cultural Center 75 S. Nehalem St. Clatskanie, OR 97016
Jâca (pronounced, ZHĀ-ka) is an award-winning clarinet/guitar duo that combines world music, virtuosity, and humor to bring an adventurous, passionate, and completely original musical style to the stage. Jâca combines the intimacy of an instrumental duo with a larger-than-life energy to create an experience that consistently leaves audiences buzzing. “At a Jâca concert you’re not just a bystander, you feel a part of it.” – Humans of Chamber Music
Described as an “alluring and stunning combination” (Take Effect), Jâca’s music is truly a unique fusion that fits into no single genre. From Flamenco to Fado, Appalachia to Argentina, and guitar slides to clarinet smears, the duo explores the highest limits of what their instruments can do. Their debut album, Breakthrough (Navona, 2022), has been honored by worldwide organizations including the International Portuguese Music Awards (Best Instrumental Performance 2023) and the International Clarinet Association.
Portuguese-Canadian clarinetist Wesley Ferreira is an acclaimed soloist and orchestral musician. He always brings his infectious positivity, big smile, and way too many reeds to every rehearsal. Dividing time between his home in Spain and his native USA, guitarist Jaxon Williams is an active performer of both Classical and Spanish Flamenco styles. He also knows more about fingernail care than a certified beautician and can slap on a fake nail in 5 minutes or less.
Since 2018, Jâca has brought their infectious charm to arts series and music festivals across the USA and worldwide. They have played in prestigious venues including Carnegie Hall and have been featured on national television and radio in Portugal, Ecuador, and the USA. Press outlets have described the duo as being “at the forefront of an exciting new wave of chamber music groups” (Sneak Preview) and praises Jâca for “pushing classical music forward” (Culturs: Global Multicultural Magazine).
Dividing their time between the USA, Canada, Spain, and Portugal, this 21st-century duo represents the limitless potential of an interconnected world.
To learn more about Jaca, click HERE.
For tickets, click the link below.
Project Convergence
Saturday, November 8, 2025 | 7:30 p.m. | Clatskanie Cultural Center 75 S. Nehalem St. Clatskanie, OR 97016
Project Convergence is an American dance company that is home to the union of the Bharatanatyam and American tap dance. The company is bi-costal with home bases in New York City and Seattle. Lauded by both the New York Times and The Hindu, the company presents an experience simultaneously familiar and unfamiliar to audiences by uniting Indian and African-American cultures in the universal language of rhythm. In doing so, they show how two cultures can be united seamlessly without erasing the unique identity of either. The company’s creative team has experience across American classics such as STOMP and 42nd Street, and Indian staples such as Mystic India: The World Tour and Chennai’s Marghazi Festival. The company has been featured in The Guardian,WNYC (New York Public Radio), and The Dance Enthusiast. They have appeared at many high-profile events, including the Indo-American Art Council’s Erasing Borders Dance Festival at Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, Lincoln Center’s Out of Doors Series, and a United Nations private event at the Houston Texan’s NRG Stadium. It’s work is supported by residencies at the American Tap Dance Foundation and Premiere Dance Center. Excerpts of their show Taalam (Rhythm) have played to a sold out 5,000 person audience at Damrosch Park at Lincoln Center and the Citigroup Theatre at Alvin Ailey.
To learn more about Project Convergence, click HERE.
For tickets, click the link below.
Ted Vigil’s A Rocky Mountain Christmas
A John Denver Tribute
Sunday, December 7, 2025 | 3:00 p.m. | Clatskanie Cultural Center 75 S. Nehalem St. Clatskanie, OR 97016
You’ll hear those great Denver lyrics recalling Grandma, Mathew, Annie, Eagles, Hawks, and Horses, too! So many John Denver songs come shining through in a Rocky Mountain Christmas, your audience will leave the concert singing, and spiritually uplifted by the experience.
Ted has been performing John's music all over the U.S. for many years; during the past year alone, he has visited 20 states. He often performs with Steve Weisberg (Denver's lead guitarist from 1973-77), Eddie Kilgallon of Montgomery Gentry and Ricochet (who produced, sings back-up vocals, and plays keyboard on Ted's newest CD).
People miss John Denver and his brilliant music; Ted Vigil is doing his best to pay homage. During Rocky Mountain Christmas, you’ll be treated to Ted’s own composition Sing My Song, written as a personal tribute to the great John Denver. Ted’s gift for the music and polished and energetic performing style presents a warm and delightful evening through some of the world’s most popular music.
Ted has an uncanny physical and musical resemblance to John Denver; and when he takes the stage and begins to sing, the audience is transported back in time. Present Ted Vigil’s Rocky Mountain Christmas next season; your audience will love it, and so will you!
To learn more about Ted Vigil, click HERE.
For tickets, click the link below.
Pipeline Vocal Project
A Cappella Queens of Alaska
Friday, January 23, 2026 | 7:30 p.m. | Clatskanie Cultural Center 75 S. Nehalem St. Clatskanie, OR 97016
Pipeline Vocal Project (PVP) is Alaska’s first professional vocal trio comprised of a lead, bass and vocal percussion. This group puts a unique twist on well-known favorites from all eras, whether it’s crossing decades or genres. From viral videos to live performances, PVP brings joy to their audience.
To learn more about Pipeline Vocal Project, click HERE.
For tickets, click the link below.
Brownsmead Flats
Sunday, March 8, 2026 | 3:00 p.m. | Clatskanie Cultural Center 75 S. Nehalem St. Clatskanie, OR 97016
We're an acoustic band who likes to play traditional, and original songs in the Crabgrass tradition (bluegrass with a maritime flavor.
To learn more about Brownsmead Flats, click HERE.
For tickets, click the link below.