He Just Blew In

Saxophonist Devin Phillips relocated to Portland, Ore. from New Orleans a few years ago. Maybe you can guess why, but here's a clue: His debut solo CD (with his band, New Orleans Straight Ahead) is called Wade in the Water, and the title track is a version of the old, old spiritual. Phillips' orchestration of the song made famous by Harriet Tubman is stretched-out and mournful, but has a skittering, frenetic rhythm. In it, he says, "You can hear our experience — our life experience of the hurricane." He and his family were forced to evacuate, and he lost almost everything. Since then he's had a lot of success, though, and he's currently set to embark on a world tour.
Sun., Sept. 9, 7 p.m.