We are thrilled to announce the appointment of Ryan Meagher as its new Artistic Director!
Meagher (pronounced Marr) is an established guitarist in Portland’s jazz community and is also known for his roles as a co-founder and Programming Director of Montavilla Jazz, PJCE’s Director of Operations and Director of PJCE Records, an editor of Jazzscene Magazine, as well as in his role as an educator with Mt Hood Community College, University of Portland, Lower Columbia College, and with Metropolitan Youth Symphony. His work in this new role at PJCE begins immediately.
Please join PJCE’s Board of Directors and staff in welcoming Ryan into this new role with PJCE!
A new milestone for our organization
Ryan succeeds Douglas Detrick, who served as both the Executive Director and Artistic Director 2013 to 2022, who served as both the Executive Director and Artistic Director 2013–2022, leading PJCE’s production of more ambitious, culturally-relevant programming, raising the profile of the organization, and building a more diverse coalition of partners.
Executive Director Meg Morrow remarks, “Having Ryan step into this new role with PJCE is very exciting for our future. With his deep connection to the Portland Jazz scene, and his dedication to amplifying Portland musicians through his work with Montavilla Jazz fest, PJCE Records, and his own creative productions, it is a perfect fit! Ryan will be integral in continuing our mission to support new works in jazz in our city and help bring those works to wider audiences. He has played an essential part in PJCE’s trajectory as Director of Operations, and as Artistic Director he will bring his wide knowledge of the craft and his expertise in the genre to create engaging performances and connections within our vibrant community.
More about Ryan Meagher
Meagher shares, “I am incredibly honored to continue down the path Douglas Detrick, Andrew Oliver, and the rest of our founders laid for PJCE, and I am excited to expand PJCE’s reach. Since I arrived in Portland ten years ago, I have only been focused on one thing, and that is deepening the impact of the jazz scene. You can expect us to carry on our mission of creating and performing original jazz music that engages and supports our community’s diverse artists, cultures, and places. But you can also expect to see and hear that mission realized in new ways. We will be putting out new music in live performances and recordings, widening our educational outreach, and creating opportunities for more people to feel truly invested in our work. Celebrating original music by jazz and improvising musicians is all I have cared about since I can remember, and I know that this little thread in the cultural fabric of our fair city is going to shine ever so brightly for years to come.”
Meagher is a graduate of the University of Nevada at Reno who has lived in Portland since 2012. He will continue in his educational roles as well as his work as an individual artist and stewarding the PJCE Records label.