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09/10/2025

Jim Friscia: On Swan Songs Portland and their upcoming benefit / Coffeeshop Conversations (Not) @ Artichoke Music #444

By TOM D'ANTONI //  Jim Friscia, a Portland music veteran, is President of Swan Songs Portland which gifts private concerts to folks near the end of life since and it financially compensates musicians for performing those concerts.

They have benefit shows every other month. Their next benefit show is Thursday, September 18 at Artichoke Music featuring Karyn Ann. 

Happy to be with you for another OMN Coffeeshop Conversation.

I’m Tom D’Antoni at my desk in NW Portland. At the controls in NE Portland studioblue…all lower case…all one word is Paul K Ward without whom Coffeeshop Conversations wouldn’t exist in its present form.

As Dr. John would say, A big round of ammunition for Paul. And along with him is our guest today, Jim Friscia, from an organization called Swan Songs Portland which gifts personalized concerts to people nearing the end of life in Multnomah, Clackamas, and Washington Counties –– at no cost to them, their families, or their caregivers. musical last wishes. 

Jim was one of the founders of Portland’s own Mardi Gras Krewe, The Mysti Krewe of Nimbus which makes merry every Mardi Gras.

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