Diamond Joe plays southern old-time music and consists of Nikolai Fox  on fiddle, Amanda Kowalski on upright bass and Bucky Bohrmann on guitar.

Seisún (session) is a tradition throughout Ireland, in the town Pubs, where musicians, who are often patrons, gather in a large circle and acoustically perform the traditional music of Ireland. Seisún takes place right here at Blue each and every Wednesday evening around 9:00 P.M. If you have not experienced it, come down to the Blue, have a Guinness and treat yourself!

Back from beyond! Yes, it’s the return of Mark Rankin, a former regular performer at Jim’s. Very entertaining and fun.

SAMUEL JAMES LIVES!!!!! Delta Blues legends Tommy Johnson, Robert Johnson, and Petey Wheatstraw were all said to have sold their souls to the devil in exchange for their exceptional musical abilities. Now, we're not saying that Samuel James sold his soul to the Devil... but we're not NOT saying that either.

Authentic Delta and Piedmont Blues, two essential, regional types of blues within the genre. He is also joined by Miss Nina Marie for a few tunes. If you haven’t seen them, well…

Addict’s Attic is an acoustic amalgam of delta blues, folk, newgrass and jazz. In the interim between college and their recent move to Portland (that is, before they connected to make make Addict's Attic), Evan Chase (mandolin) taught music in Connecticut while Robert Allen (guitar/banjo/slide) taught music in a small town in the Mississippi Delta. While teaching, Chase developed his own unique mandolin style which employs odd scales and synchopated rhythmic funk-grass styling. Chase also has a penchant for catchy melodies and melancholic songwriting, which nicely flavors many of the instrumental parts. Robert, on the other hand, took his influence from Indianola, Ms, home to blues greats such as B.B. King, Albert King, and Charley Patton. Although the traditional delta blues elements are there, Robert's writing is inspired by the intense emotional and physical tenor of MODERN day Mississippi Delta. These progressive blues speak to today's social conditions: post-plantation hierarchies and discpline, poverty, apathy, and pervasive materialism, all of which are both alienating and overwhelming to even the casual observer. As a result, there are depressive and haunted textures developed throughout the repertoire of Robert's writing. The combination of these two different styles are combined to make Addicts Attic, the left-over-empty-old-forgotten-about space in a house filled with self-absorbed, neurotic, amxious, and emotionally distressed spirits.

The Mutineers play traditional folk, blues and old-time country music. With the necessary ingredients (guitar, mandolin, acoustic bass, dobro, banjo) the songs are adapted and arranged in ways that are at once traditional and unique. The songs are selected, arranged and sung by Stuart MacDonald, who has been collecting, learning and playing traditional folk music for a number of years. He is joined by multi-talented stand-up acoustic bassist Rod Pervier. Rod has a wealth of musical experience and is an accomplished, and highly sought-after musician, playing contra dances and other events. Dick Hodges rounds out the trio with tasteful mandolin, dobro and lead guitar picking. Having played in a wide variety of bands previously, Dick lends his knowledge & varied musical background.

Moses Atwood draws from a wide variety of musical influences. A classically trained guitarist who studied under notable teachers such as Dusan Bogdanovic and Apostolos Paraskevas, Moses has studied musical traditions from all over the world. With heavy influences from blues masters such as Mississippi John Hurt and Skip James, songwriting legends like Woody Guthrie and Townes Van Zandt, and contemporaries such as Tom Waits and Kelly Joe Phelps, Moses Atwood is a muscian who truly draws upon the roots of American music. The depth of Moses's musical influences combine with intricate guitar playing, soulful singing, and truly great songwriting to create a fresh new take on Americana. Moses was recently nominated for best new songwriter of the year by the Portland Phoenix. Together, Megan and Moses create a unique and unforgettable musical experience.      

Local girl Leah Finkelstein was playing the piano long before her feet could touch the pedals, picked up the guitar when she was in high school and while in college, realized she could sing, too. At 19, she was playing nine gigs a week with local favorite Ken Grimsley and at 22, struck out on her own in Boston, created the band "The Help," and played regular shows in and around the city. These days, she is happy to be home and is hoping to re-establish herself here, this time as a solo artist. Watch this site for upcoming shows around Portland, and be sure to check out her original tunes, "One More Drink" and "On and On, Again," as well as her own bluesy versions of "Love Me Like a Man," and "Route 66."

In the fall of 2004, on Monday nights, I would frequent a place called “Jim’s”…you might have heard of it. Upon entering, I was often greeted by the friendly owner, Jim, a guy named Karl (you might have seen him around), and a bartender by the name of Pat. I would then belly-up to the bar, order a slice of pizza and a cold Shipyard Export and find a table. A group known as The Waiters would then perform and absolutely charm and capture the audience. Consisting of Miss Evan, Bernie, Al and others, they would play everything from jazz standards to soul to contemporary music and always left us satiated, yet excited about the next Monday! Sadly, Jim’s closed in January 2005 and Mondays vanished like a Maine summer.

Blue arrived on the scene on Friday, April 29, 2005, but I never chose to open our door on a Monday. Perhaps it was out of some kind of unconscious reverence for the past and our beloved Waiters. Only one thing could possibly persuade me to open on a Monday. Then it happened! On April 17, 2006, Blue opened for the first time ever on a Monday to the long-awaited return of Miss Evan, Bernie & Al, members of The Waiters, with other guest musicians (e.g., trumpeters, bassists, drummers, etc.) to this venue known as Blue, formerly Jim’s. Welcome back!

Barry P. Martin, Proprietor of Blue