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.