Ed Neumann is no stranger to the music scene. Having played music for over 50 years, Neumann says, “My life revolves around the groove.” He calls himself the groove chaser! You’ll understand when you see him play the keyboard and belt out the vocals.
Neumann was raised in Coos Bay, Oregon and moved to Portland, Oregon as a third grader. Neumann’s first gig was at his seventh-grade graduation at Kennedy Grade School (which is now a McMenamins). He has since been back to play this venue with the Jim Mesi Band a couple of years ago with Duffy Bishop and Chris Carlson, which marks his 50th anniversary of playing music. That is amazing in itself!
Neumann plays different styles of music, anywhere from blues, rock, soul and surf, to R & B. You name it, he’s played it. Neumann played with Bobby Helms (“Special Angel & Jingle Bell Rock”) and he’s backed up Bo Diddley when with the Jim Mesi Band . He’s also played with Mark Lyndsey of Paul Revere & The Raiders (at their famed last ride). Neumann played with the Jim Mesi Band for over 20 years. (Back in the day, Jim Mesi played guitar in Brown Sugar with the late-great Paul DeLay on harmonica and vocals). The accomplishments were several Muddy Awards from the Cascade Blues Association in 2001, which included Best Northwest Album, Best Local Act and Best Performance at the 2001 Waterfront Blues Festival. The Jim Mesi Band played clubs, concerts and festivals all over the West Coast, Hawaii and beyond. The band’s European tours have included dates in Iceland, England, Scotland, Holland, Germany, Belgium, Norway, Denmark, Bosnia, Croatia, and Macedonia.
You don’t have to travel out of the country to see Ed Neumann & Friends. This jam has been going on for three years now. You can catch them at the CI Bar and Grill, 18786 SW Boones Ferry Rd. Tualatin, Oregon every Thursday night starting at 8 pm, which would leave plenty of time to arrive early and have dinner before the show starts. The band consists of Ed Neumann on keys and vocals, Jimi Bott on drums, and Jim Solberg on bass and backing vocals. And, expect to see special guests every Thursday.
A little bit about Neumann’s band: Jimi Bott started playing drums at age 15. He was inspired to play drums after seeing Rod Piazza and the Mighty Flyers. His dream came true when he joined that band at age 21 and remained with them for ten years. Bott joined the Fabulous Thunderbirds for ten years followed by the Mannish Boys for many more years. Those experiences took him to places all over the world, touring and playing drums. His accolades include being nominated 19 times by The Blues Foundation and winning once in 2015. Locally, Bott won the Cascade Blues Association Muddy Award 12 times for Best Drummer Award. (Three wins put him in the Cascade Blues Association Hall of Fame). Jim Solberg (bass and vocals) plays with his heart; feeling the emotion of the song in every note and really gets into the “groove.” Solberg grew up in Richland, Washington and came from a musical family. He began playing music at the age of nine. Two years out of high school, he joined a funk show band from San Diego called Power Potion. After a four-year stretch touring throughout California, Canada, and the Pacific Northwest, Solberg made his home in Portland, Oregon. Solberg has played and studied with the best musicians in the business playing many styles. Solberg is on numerous recordings with Lloyd Jones Struggle and the Jim Mesi Band.
Some of the guests that have appeared are Kivett Bednar, Ken Brewer, Phil Wagner, Steve Bradley, Peter Dammann, Melissa Buchanan, Lloyd Jones, Whit Draper, Doug Rowell, Don Campbell, Ken Scandlyn and many more. Visit this website for more information about this and other music-related events cascadebluesassociation.org/event-calendar.
The C & I Bar and Grill has a very welcoming vibe. There are always a few familiar faces and the restaurant staff makes everyone feel welcome. They have a menu with reasonably priced food and something for everyone, including a breakfast all day. Their burgers are great!
Ed Neumann & Friends
Every Thursday at The CI Bar & Grill 18786 SW Boones Ferry Rd. Tualatin, OR 97062
For more information, visit
www.cibarandgrill.com.
