Reflections on Community, Culture, and Sound

During the 2026 Biamp Portland Jazz Festival, one of the most powerful moments unfolded on March 10 at The Old Church, where PDX Jazz and the Jim Pepper Native Arts Council welcomed the Delbert Anderson Quartet with special guest Acosia Red Elk. The performance brought together music, movement, and cultural expression in a way that felt both deeply rooted and forward-looking.

Led by Diné trumpeter and composer Delbert Anderson, the quartet’s sound blends traditional Navajo “spinning songs” with jazz and funk, creating a vibrant and evolving form of Indigenous jazz. On this evening, that foundation expanded even further through the presence of Acosia Red Elk, whose internationally celebrated jingle dance added a powerful visual and spiritual dimension to the performance.

We’re grateful to Underscore Native News for capturing and sharing this moment. Their work continues to spotlight Indigenous voices and stories across the Pacific Northwest, producing journalism that explores sovereignty, justice, and the richness and diversity of Native communities. Their coverage of this performance offers a meaningful extension of the evening—ensuring it lives beyond the walls of the venue and reaches a broader audience.

This collaboration—between artists, cultural leaders, and storytellers—embodies what the Biamp Portland Jazz Festival strives to create: spaces where music is not only heard, but felt as a living expression of identity, history, and community.

We invite you to watch the video and experience a glimpse of what made this night so special.