Dana and Alden

Dana and Alden bring their adventurous jazz sound to the stage on Tuesday, September 22, with Ania Hoo joining the evening’s lineup. Doors open at 7:30 PM and the show begins at 8:00 PM, setting up a night of exploratory music that blends jazz with elements of indie, pop, rap, bossa nova, and global influences.

The Eugene, Oregon-based duo of Dana and Alden—saxophonist Dana and drummer Alden—have developed a musical identity shaped by curiosity, movement, and a willingness to explore beyond traditional genre boundaries. Their latest album, Papa’s Boat, takes its inspiration from their maternal grandfather, affectionately known as Papa, whose adventurous approach to life encouraged the siblings to embrace individuality and unconventional ideas.

The album’s title comes from a photograph of Papa standing beside his boat, Sŵn y Môr, a Welsh phrase meaning “Sound of the Sea.” That image became a starting point for a project that connects family memories with the duo’s broader musical experiences. Recorded with producer Malcolm Catto in London in 2025, Papa’s Boat combines Dana’s saxophone and Alden’s drums with a larger ensemble featuring vocals, keyboards, bass, guitar, additional saxophone, and synthesizers.

Jazz remains the foundation, but the music moves freely across styles. Tracks such as “Lighthouse” combine hypnotic saxophone with buzzing synth textures, while other moments draw from Brazilian music, indie, pop, and hip-hop. The album also features collaborations with artists including Mei Semones, Melanie Charles, and Brazilian songwriting legend Marcos Valle, whose presence adds another international dimension to the project.

At its heart, Papa’s Boat is both a tribute and a musical journey. Water becomes a recurring metaphor for reflection, exploration, and movement, allowing the duo to connect memories of the past with ideas about the future. Their live performance offers an opportunity to hear those influences come together through rhythmic interplay, layered instrumentation, and improvisational energy.

Joining Dana and Alden is Ania Hoo, adding another artist to an evening focused on creative, genre-fluid music. With doors at 7:30 PM and the show at 8:00 PM on Tuesday, September 22, attendees can expect a thoughtfully curated night of jazz-inspired sounds, adventurous arrangements, and performances that move well beyond conventional boundaries.