Lewi Longmire has built a reputation as Portland's multi-instrumentalist "go to guy." In the years since relocating to Portland from Albuquerque, New Mexico, he's been included on shows and recordings by many of the Northwest's finest bands and songwriters. He's worked with national acts Michael Hurley, Victoria Williams and Tara Jane O'Neill as well as local luminaries Fernando, James Low, Little Sue, Casey Neill, Michael Jodell, the Freak Mountain Ramblers and The Peasants. More recently, though, Lewi has taken all the things he learned from working with these fine performers and has been spending his time leading a roots rock/americana band of his own, singing the songs he has written himself. The group owes much to the American tradition of good songs played with high energy, deep roots, and an unpretentious sense of fun. Their sound finds the connection between the basement feel of The Band, the raspy blue-eyed soul of Joe Cocker, the desert space of Giant Sand, the "without a net" deep space improvisations of the San Francisco ballrooms, the punk abandon of The Stooges and the quiet contemplation of Johnny Cash playing solo.

As the LEWI LONGMIRE BAND, helping achieve this sound is a band of stalwart Portland musicians. Bill Rudolph (bass and vocals) played with the Crackpots and Little Sue for years, driving their home crowd into an energetic frenzy with his low tones. Ned Folkerth (drums) has toured the world over with many groups, including the midwest's Pinetop Seven, always laying down the perfect groove to cure whatever ails ya. The band is at times augmented by some of the other fine players in Portland's rich musical family: Bingo a.k.a. Kevin Ritchey (guitar), David Lipkind (harmonica), Jenny Conlee (keyboards), Paul Brainard (steel guitar, trumpet), and Eddie Lakkaidan (percussion).

Often Lewi can be found playing in an acoustic duo with Annalisa Tornfelt. A fine fiddler blessed with a beautiful voice and an arresting presence, she and Lewi trade off songs, harmonize together and generally amuse each other on stage. Not your average singer-songwriter act.

Aside from that, Mr. Longmire can be found playing music out and about as a support player for quite a few local and national artists. Check out the Side Man page for more info on those projects.
2007