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, burlesqueand 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). For the June 25th series premier, Hayden features Clay Giberson (organ) and Brent Follis (drums) plus special guest vocalist Saeeda Wright, a former member of Prince's New Power Generation. Though the building has undergone numerous changes throughthe years and has become 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.