POSTPONED - Ben Nolte, Camille Tredoux and Pythias Braswell

Ben Nolte

Ben Nolte, is a heart & soul harmonica player, baritone ukulele player and budding songwriter who can sing in English, Portuguese and Spanish. He just finished writing the song, “It’s Your Heart that Draws Me In,” which he is excited to share with the world during Portland Music Month. His core belief is to find and play the right song for the right person at the right time. The result is meaningful, impactful, and unforgettable. He plays to create hope; plays to cheer up; plays to heal; plays to love; plays to forgive & be forgiven; plays to open doors; plays to connect with the past; and plays to connect with spirituality. 

Ben grew up in New Mexico and Arizona. He also lived in Brazil, Idaho, and Utah before moving to Portland in 2012, where he and his wife, Kelsey, raise(d) three kids. His passion for music woke in 2019/2020 when he broke his silence and started learning and playing songs for his friends, family, neighbors and church congregation during the pandemic. Ben started a business called the Addventure® Center where he takes folks on experiences integrating music and culture. Teaching, performing, listening and exchanging music can be life-changing.

Camille Tredoux

Singer-songwriter, Camille Tredoux, just released her single “Whimsy,” which she wrote in the middle of the night, three days before her father passed. The melody of "Whimsy" wails melancholy sentiments of life and death. The echoing lyrics portray whimsical encounters, premonitions, and journeys, even beyond the veil. 

Camille spent most of her childhood traveling Europe and Africa, living predominantly in Romania and Johannesburg, South Africa. She also lived in Colorado before moving to Portland, Oregon to take care of her father, who battled stage four cancer before passing. After coexisting with the liminal space of death and gaining a new perspective on the nature of life and loss, Camille felt compelled to pursue her passion for music. Since then, she hasn't looked back. 

Camille’s music blends soul and mysticism into a concoction of heartfelt and ethereal ballads. She uses her songwriting ability to channel the human experience. She touches on the themes of expansion, heartache, loneliness, and renewal. Some of Camille's influences include Joni Mitchell, Tori Amos, Natalie Merchant, Sheryl Crow, Stevie Nicks, Fiona Apple, and Bonnie Raitt. Camille also sings vocals and plays keys for the Chris Juhlin Band, and she is also part of a jazz duo and indie-rock band.

Pythias Braswell (Featuring Cellist Esmé Schwall)

Pythias Braswell is the musical offering of Michael C. Hays, a poet and composer whose songs are direct, impassioned, austere, haunting and hopeful. His motto is "Mystery, Diplomacy, Anchorage.” His vocals combine the trance-induced, improvised expansions often found in devotional hymns of the world, with the structure and lyrical clarity of a Jazz-era ballad. His guitar work draws from American folk traditions until it reaches the edge and falls off into unknown regions. Hays grew up in Iowa and lives in Portland, Oregon.

Pythias’ favorite song is called "Will Forgiveness Find You?” It's a song about letting go of grudges and regrets. He wrote it in a rented car driving from Hudson, NY to Chincoteague, VA. Instead of listening to music on the way he made up melodies with random words. Nina Violet, who duets with him on the album version, brought the dramatic depth of the song to a new level, making it an all time favorite. 

Esmé Schwall will accompany Pythias on the cello. Esme’ was part of two bands: Noah Kite and Seashell Radio.