Amazing melodies, thrilling jazz, and groundbreaking Korean rock fusion have been added to Portland Ovations’ dynamic 2026-2027 season. All three concerts perform at Portland’s newest music venue, Live at Madrid’s this spring. Tickets are on sale exclusively to Ovations Members, with public ticket sales beginning Friday, October 23. Thank you to Coffee By Design for sponsoring all three of these vibrant concerts.
“We are so excited to kick off our first three concerts at Live at Madrid’s,” says Portland Ovations Executive & Artistic Director Aimée M. Petrin. “Several years ago, after our presentation of the Iranian-Canadian duo Niyaz at Port City, audience member Adele Masengo Ngoy came up to me and said: ‘It doesn’t need to be my language sung on stage or my culture represented. What I care about is being part of a global community in which we all feel connected, welcome, and safe.’ Those thoughtful words best describe the ethos behind this series. The vision is one of cosmopolitan artists – of the world, but not “world music.” Eclectic, free of boundaries and prejudices, each of the bands cross traditions and span the contemporary. All have great energy, and all promise the unexpected. Come curious, leave connected.”
Barrut – Thursday, March 25 at 7 PM – Hailing from the Occitania region of southern France, Barrut is a powerhouse ensemble of seven singers and one percussionist whose voices collide, soar, and intertwine in thrilling polyphonic song. Rooted in the language and musical traditions of their homeland, Barrut transforms centuries-old sounds into something visceral and unmistakably alive—driven by pounding rhythms, extraordinary harmonies, and an infectious energy that can quite literally shake the room. No translation required: this is music you feel as much as hear.
Insun Park & Generals – Wednesday, April 7 at 7 PM – Presented in partnership with Maine Asian American Community Center – Ancient traditions meet the electric energy of today with Insun Park & Generals, a groundbreaking ensemble blending Korean traditional music, the propulsive rhythms of mask dance, and the raw power of rock. Drawing from ancestral sounds while fearlessly pushing them into new territory, the group creates music that feels both deeply rooted and exhilaratingly contemporary—a vibrant collision of rhythm, movement, tradition, and amplification.
Jamie Saft Trio – Thursday, April 15 at 7 PM – Maine-based pianist, keyboardist, and composer Jamie Saft has built a luminous career at the intersections of jazz, rock, experimental music, and improvisation, collaborating with artists ranging from Iggy Pop, Beastie Boys, and Bad Brains to Dave Liebman, Wadada Leo Smith, and Marshall Allen. Stay tuned to hear which of his extraordinary fellow musicians this voracious collaborator invites to join him in Maine for this concert. It’s a rare Maine appearance from a musician’s musician—extraordinary improvisers finding new possibilities in music both iconic and unexpected.
“Live music is about bringing people together, and that starts with the people working behind the scenes,” says Meg Shorette, Live at Madrid’s Talent Buyer and Event Manager. “When venues and promoters support each other, we create more opportunities for music to happen and for people to feel connected to their community. No one venue or promoter can do it alone and working together makes that community stronger. I feel incredibly honored to be one of the people who gets to help bring these artists and audiences together and grateful to work alongside others who care deeply about keeping live music thriving in Portland. I think that spirit of collaboration is what makes this music community of ours special, and the team at Portland Ovations are some of the best doing this work. I hope you’ll come out to experience one of these shows.”
To become an Ovations Member and view the full season of events, visit portlandovations.org.
All tickets may be purchased through PortTIX, the trusted box office for purchasing Portland Ovations tickets.
- By phone at 207.842.0800
- In person at the PortTIX Box Office (Monday–Friday, 11 AM–3 PM)
- Or online anytime at PortTIX.com