PENDLETON — Things are turning “Kind of Blue” on Saturday, Feb. 8 at the Vert Auditorium, 480 SW Dorion Ave.

Singer-songwriter James Dean Kindle and six other musicians will present a country-jazz rendition of Miles Davis’ jazz masterpiece. Released in 1959, “Kind of Blue” is the best-selling jazz album of all time.

The show begins at 7 p.m., with songs from Davis’ album. After intermission, the focus shifts to Kindle’s material, augmented by guest musicians, including debut songs described as “genre-bending” that are set to appear on a future album.

Tickets are $15 and available at Great Pacific, 403 S. Main St. in Pendleton, and www.JamesDeanKindle.com.

Tipping a hat to Miles Davis

Kindle said Davis’ songs are jazz standards that have influenced artists worldwide. The idea to feature those works in concert, he said, came from rehearsal sessions with his backing band, The Country Combo.

“We’re all familiar with the songs on ‘Kind of Blue,’ so sometimes somebody would start playing the opening line of one of these pieces and then we’d start jamming on it,” he said. “It became something that was on my wish list of performances to do.”

Collectively, they broke down the songs and put their own spin on them for the concert. Kindle said Davis’ album is described as a “jazz masterpiece” for good reason.

“It’s just so simple and accessible. Within that simplicity, it provides so much room for complex exploration. That’s the beauty of the record,” he said. “In the course of rehearsing this, we dove deep into these songs and what makes them tick. They’re each so unique.”

“Blue in Green,” Kindle said, is one of his favorites on the album.

“It’s a very mysterious, kind of obtuse melody,” he said. “It’s been really fun to crack that song open and explore it.”

The Country Combo

Pedal steel guitarist Roger Conley has collaborated with Kindle since 2017. He previously played upright bass in The Countrypolitans and is a session musician for many Pacific Northwest country bands.

Percussionist Tim Mustoe graduated from Eastern Oregon University’s media arts program. He’s an accomplished independent filmmaker outside of his musical endeavors.

Aaron Engum studied composition and theory at Simon Fraser University. He usually plays upright bass in the combo but will play tenor sax for this occasion.

“They’re all very, very talented players, and this is a good opportunity to highlight all the musical talent that I surround myself with,” Kindle said.

Guest musicians

Ryan Feves, a Pendleton-born, LA-based musician and producer, will play upright bass. His performance and production credits include John Doe (of the band X), Eleni Mandell, Glen Campbell, Brian Wilson, Money Mark, Kamasi Washington and the soundtrack for “Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare,” a video game.

Matt Cooper, professor emeritus of music at Eastern Oregon University, will play piano. A versatile musician working across jazz, blues and classical, he also authored a book on Duke Ellington’s piano stylings.

Dan Emert, a Walla Walla-based musician, is a two-time champion at the National Oldtime Fiddlers Contest in Weiser, Idaho, and has placed in many competitions in Oregon, Washington and Colorado. He is a member of many old-time music groups, including Whisky for Breakfast and Cabbage Hill.

Kindle said it is an honor to work with these musicians.

“In some ways, I feel like I’m the weakest link in the whole show,” he said with a laugh. “They’re top-notch musicians who can play circles around me.”

Other projects

In addition to working on a new album, James Dean Kindle is collaborating with the Pendleton Public Library to create a soundtrack for the Story Walk along the Pendleton River Parkway. Although the displays typically feature picture books or local history, they hope to include QR codes with original music this summer.

“It’s an ambient western soundtrack written to complement the Umatilla River as one walks along the levy,” Kindle said. “I’ve been really encouraged by the recording sessions we’ve had.”