Benson Soul of Jazz Summit | Black Music Month Exclusive! 

Presented by Elevate Unity & the Benson Jazz Revival

Saturday, June 13, 2026

6:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Venue: Benson Hotel - Mayfair Ballroom & Mezzanine 

• 6 pm - Doors open
• 6:30 pm - Black Music Month - Topic - State of local music & venues

Invited guests / Kboo Radio, Kmhd Radio, PDX Jazz, Vanport Jazz, Portland Radio Project

• 7 pm - Welcome Sponsor mentions
• 7:30 pm - Tahirah Memory Band f/ Farnell Newton
• 9 pm - Tahirah Memory Band
• 10 pm - Last Call

Entertainment:

Featuring Portland's Own...Neo Soul Jazz Songstress & recording artist "Tahirah Memory" and trumpet powerhouse

Mr. Farnell Newton...plus triple threat talent Mike Elson, & Special guests.

Band members:

Taheriah Memory ~ Vocals / Farnell Newton ~ Horns / Michael Elson Bass
Terrell Reed ~ Drums / Santiago LaRochelle ~ Piano

Event:

Honor Black Music Month with us in the heart of the city at the stylish Benson!

Get ready for an incredible night of food, cocktails, and dancing to the music from one of Portland's top female vocalists, performing Jazz, Soul, and more!

Celebrate community with the Benson Jazz Revival family, artists, friends, followers, and our visiting hotel guest travelers.

This is the kickoff event and start of our summer jazz run and the quarterly show performances at the historic Benson Ballrooms inside the iconic Benson Hotel.

Our timely event directly benefits two impactful local non-profits, Elevate Unity, & the Saturday Samaritans organizations.

Both are dedicated to uplifting and healing the community, fighting homelessness and hunger, while supporting diversity equity and unity in our city.

Seating is limited so get you tickets early and don't miss this special night of music for a great cause!

Tickets: Reserved group tables limited (2) top, (4) top, (8 top) reserve tables early.

$27 - General Admission: Bistro tables, Standing Room / Mezzanine Access

$55 - Reserve: Seat + 1 Sponsor Cocktail

$95 - RSVP: Seat + Catered Food & Mezzanine Access + 1 Sponsor Cocktail.

$75 - VIP: Seat only + 2 Sponsor Cocktails

$120 - All Access: Stageside Seat + Catered Food & Mezzanine access + 2 Sponsor Cocktails

*CONCERT SPECIAL HOTEL ROOMS AVAILABLE CALL BENSON HOTEL DIRECT*

Catered Food Selection - 

Mini Crab Cakes ~
Grilled Shrimp Skewers ~ Tenderloin of Beef on Buttered Brioche ~
Mini Roasted Potatoe Bites ~ Grilled Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus ~

Benson Hotel Amenities Include:

The Palm Court Restaurant -
Featuring Premium Top Shelf Bar & Dinner Service

Tahirah Memory

International soul & jazz singer/songwriter Tahirah Memory is a Portland, Oregon native. Miss Memory has released two full-length studio albums. She has been heard and seen touring as a background vocalist for long-time vocal icon KD Lang, as well as Jarrod Lawson, and foremost as front-woman on her own successful tours abroad, as well as frequent local showings.

Following the release of Tahirah’s 2nd album, “ASHA”, in 2019, she was nominated by SOULTRACKS for Best Female Vocalist, Best Album, and Best Song of 2019. Most recently, Tahirah was featured in the 2022 PDX Jazz Fest, opening for Grammy winner Robert Glasper at the 2022 Vanport Jazz Festival alongside Eric Benét, and as a performer on the 2023 Capital Jazz Supercruise. Memory recently completed a short June 2025 UK tour, on the back of her highly anticipated, first musical release in 6 years, new single ‘Fight or Flight’.

Farnell Newton

Trumpeter Farnell Newton is one of the most versatile musicians in the Northwest, playing straight-ahead jazz, smooth jazz, Latin music, soul, hip hop, funk, and more. In the last few years, Farnell has toured with 3-time Grammy-winning singer/songwriter Jill Scott and with the Legendary Rhinestone Rockstar Bassist Bootsy Collins. In previous years, Farnell has performed with great musical artists, including George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic, Dumpstaphunk, The Nth Power, Lettuce, Karl Denson, Fred Wesley, Stevie Wonder, and many others.

Mike Elson

TBD

 All ages. | Tickets are Nonrefundable.