About The Creative Music Guild
The Creative Music Guild was founded in 1991 by Portland musicians Rob Blakeslee and Rich Halley. Their desire was to create an organization which would present original jazz influenced, improvised music to the Portland area and create an atmosphere which would allow a dialogue between improvising artists and their audience.
Since those early days the Guild has successfully produced over 150 concerts presenting hundreds of musical artists from all over the world. The Guild's interest has always been in bringing the finest original composers/improvisers to Portland and featuring them in a setting suitable for their music to be appreciated to the fullest extent. Guild artists are uncompromising originals whose creations are not subject to the influences of the commercial radio or recording industries. Because of their individuality and unswerving commitment to take chances and push the music beyond the norm they represent the true spirit of artistic pioneers of all disciplines and eras. As is so often the case, those artists who do attempt to push their mediums forward are often not fully appreciated and thus under represented in their time.
It is CMG's intent to provide a gift both to the musicians in providing them with fair pay and a quality forum where they may present their music without compromise and to the city of Portland and the state of Oregon in making this often rare and wonderful music available to the public.
The Creative Music Guild is a fully accredited nonprofit organization. It is a 100% volunteer run group with all resources going to the production of high quality musical experiences. The Guild produces an average of 12-15 concerts per year. Admissions to concerts make up only a portion of the funds needed to keep an endeavor of this quality going. The Guild welcomes further support through membership fees and contributions from personal, public and corporate sponsors.
Jazz is the ultimate American music: a combination of rich folk roots coupled with new musical visions. It can flourish only in an environment which continues to encourage experimentation and allows the artist the opportunity to utilize new and different methods and ideas. Please join with the Creative Music Guild in keeping this important music alive and moving forward.
