412 NE Beech St, Portland, OR 97212
Mike Gamble is an adventurous guitarist, composer, and multi-instrumentalist whose work with improvisation and new technology predominantly inform his practice. Gamble has spent the last 20 years immersed in the creative jazz, experimental rock and improvised music scene primarily in NYC, with close ties to New Orleans, Burlington, Boston, San Francisco and now the Pacific Northwest. He has had the pleasure of recording over 50 albums and has been touring the states, Canada, and Europe with his critically-acclaimed guitar trio The Inbetweens, Mike Gamble Solo, and alongside doom-metal originators Earth. His more recent collaborators include Bobby Previte, Todd Sickafoose, Nels Cline, Wayne Horvitz, Matt Chamberlain and Lori Goldston.
Since relocating to Portland, Mike Gamble has dived into the jazz and experimental, Pop, Indie Rock, and electronic/modular scene and gigs 4-7 times a week. He currently holds a position as a Contemporary Music Industry instructor at Oregon State University, and as a guitar teacher at Reed College. He has been the Artistic Director of Portland’s long standing experimental music organization, The Creative Music Guild since 2016.
Quotes
“He has a brain that seems to work faster than other human brains – maybe more like a hummingbird or a spider. Music comes flying out. You just sit and listen to what he thinks of next” Todd Sickafoose
“Mike Gamble is dangerous in the best way” Nels Cline
“Mr. Gamble knows his way around a drone, but he also puts a lot of shifting harmony and texture in his one-man sketches, some of which — like “I’m on Your Side,” with its abstracted trip-hop beat — come across as thoughtfully developed compositions” Nate Chinen NY TIMES
WEBSITE:
https://linktr.ee/mikegamble
https://mikegamble.bandcamp.com/
Christopher Benson is a musician, songwriter, and the founder of Benson Amps, whose handcrafted amplifiers have become a staple for artists around the world. Drawing from influences that span vintage rock, folk, country, and experimental music, Benson’s performances blend expressive guitar work, thoughtful songwriting, and an appreciation for the character and imperfections that make live music compelling.
Whether performing solo or with collaborators, Benson brings a dynamic approach that balances intimate storytelling with rich, textured soundscapes. His deep connection to both the artistic and technical sides of music informs performances that are equal parts heartfelt and sonically distinctive.
Based in Portland, Oregon, Benson continues to write, record, and perform while building tools that help musicians find their own voice.
Since his early days growing up in Las Vegas, Daniel has proved his ability as a natural
ensemble leader and motivated musical explorer. Before leaving Vegas, Rossi ran an 18 piece
big band with his best friend called Rossi/Reyes Big Band. After spending a couple years in
college playing mostly DIY spaces as drummer for Delia Haunt, Daniel left the university noting
it was decidely not in line with his bergening approach to music, for Portland OR.
There, Rossi found the community he desired. Developing a collective band with childhood
buddies called NOD (no ordinary dropouts). This was Rossi’s jumping off point for getting
involved again in DIY concert spaces and communities.
Daniel’s compositional voice was beginning to grow and with this came the start of his Psych
Rock band called “Toothbone”. Rossi composed, played guitar, and sang in this project. After
two albums (and a solo gtr and voice album under his name) and two US tours he retired this
project to focus on what remains Daniel’s main project “MESS”. MESS felt to Daniel like “the
sound of all of my influences, and the clearest output of what is in my head”. The music came
to Daniel quickly and the self titled first album happening after playing only few shows!
In 2020, Rossi moved across the country to New York where he is now based. Since living in
New York Daniel began to develop further as a composer and drummer finding his way in
oppurtunites he created. In 2021 Rossi held a weekly residency at a small club in Brooklyn
where he had a chance to try new music and play with new bands each week. This prolific
compositional output has conituned through his time in NY and can be seen with his many
projects as a leader (MESS, Esoteric: a Jackie McLean Tribute, Daniel Rossi & Friendz) and his
solo project.
Though Rossi is a well established leader, he is an equally desired side person and session
musician. Daniel has recorded and toured the US and Canada with Haley Heynderickx since 2022
He has also played and/or recorded with Haley Heynderickx (Seed of a Seed), Maya
Delilah, Logan Kane (Primer, 2025), Fievel Is Glauque (Rong Weikness), Nicole McCabe, Sheers
(The Last Debutante in Richmond), Weyes Blood, Kalia Vandever, Mossback (Black Canyon
City), Illegal Son (I Want to Go Home), DaMiNo (Thwart, Ambiv), Rapid Eye (Movement I) Kelly
Shank (Seagulls).
Rossi has shown his skills as an incrdebily versatile drummer and composer at places such as
Newport Jazz Festival, Newport Folk Festival, Thalia Hall, Sam First, Lodge Room, LPR, Music
Hall of Williamsburg, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival, Pickathon, 1905 and many other
venues across the US and Canada. He was apart of two residences in Washington state at
Sou’Wester Lodge.
Daniel is also a clinician and will be working with the University of Arizona drum set students in
September 2026.
Rossi’s next album will be the second album from MESS entitled “MESS : beginnings”. It will
be released Fall 2026.
