PROJECT: Did you know Portland hosts one of the largest Rhythm and Blues festivals in the entire country? The SOUL’D OUT FESTIVAL features some of the biggest names in R&B like Erykah Badu, The Ohio Players, Wyclef Jean, and De La Soul! It’s a nearly week-long festival that ran from 2010 until 2019 and attracted thousands of fans to venues all around the city. We had the distinct pleasure of recording local jazz trumpeter Farnelll Newton and the Othership Connection (of Prince fame!) at the Jack London Revue. Farnell, with vocals by Ariana Ward, performed a blistering set for an enthusiastic, “Soul’d Out” crowd! The festival features dozens of artists, both local as well as national, spread out over numerous venues throughout the city. As part of our contribution to this amazing event, we spent three long days at the Jack London Revue and recorded eight artists from different genres such as jazz, hip-hop, funk, electronic, fusion and of course, rhythm and blues. APPROACH: The concert was recorded in an intimate venue that gave viewers an up close and personal experience of an incredibly talented musician who’s trumpet seemed to be an extension of himself. It was something to behold! The production was captured with four strategically placed cameras (including one placed on the ceiling) to give viewers multiple angles to watch Farnell and his band absolutely blow the roof off the place! Newton studied music at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music in Ohio, where he played with the likes of Aretha Franklin, and has also notably performed with Prince, among many other well known musicians. The talent was evident and provided a great showcase of some very gifted local musicians who played alongside some of the biggest names in the music industry! RESULTS: After initial production wrapped, the performances were then edited into the various individual artists, and as collective “best of” compilations, and replayed on our channels as well as uploaded to YouTube for subsequent viewing of these amazing concerts. This also provided a good opportunity for these artists to garner some additional exposure, and showcase the plentiful local talent located right here in Portland!