Guitarist, composer and producer Chance Hayden presents the Desert Room All Stars, a monthly series every Last Sunday at McMenamins, Al's Den evoking the venue's storied past in the 50s and 60s as the Desert Room. Formerly a high-class hang for Portland's underworld where anything desired was obtainable, burlesque and jazz were showcased nightly with a long-term house band led by New Orleans native saxophonist Charlie Gabriel who attracted notable guests such as Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway and Sammy Davis Jr.

In a similar format, Hayden leads a trio plus various guests performing two sets of mid-century jazz, blues and original works inspired by that period. Hayden's guitar stylings are rooted deeply at the intersection of these genres, yielding an "adventurous, no-holds-barred sensibility with both bluesy grit and modern-jazz finesse" (Jazz Society Of Oregon).

Though the building has undergone numerous changes through the years and be come more of a singer-songwriter hub under McMenamins ownership, vibes of the Desert Room era remain highly palpable and Hayden will reveal that Al's Den stands as one of one of the city's most iconic rooms for jazz.

LaRhonda Steele is recognized as one the pacific northwest's best rhythm and blues vocalists. She has been dubbed "The First Lady of Portland Blues"-a title of leadership that she lives up to as she shares songs that carry forth directly from her soul and spiritual life-force. She currently fronts the LaRhonda Steele Band, along with serving as music director of both the Portland Interfaith Gospel Choir and Portland Center for Spiritual Living. LaRhonda's voice can be enjoyed on recordings of national and international artists such as Gino Vannelli, Curtis Salgado, Lloyd Jones, Mary Flower and Norman Sylvester. LaRhondas own discography includes the albums Artistic Differences; My Soul's Song; Rock Me Baby; Yes Please and Song's of Freedom.