Beth Portman

Billing: Beth Portman

SHORT BIO

With her uplifting mix of early jazz, swing, roots, and 50s pop, Beth Portman brightens the greyest of skies. An engaging vocalist, ukulele player and songwriter; her music is filled with warmth, sunshine and a sprinkling of stardust. 

MEDUIM BIO

With her uplifting mix of early jazz, swing, roots, and 50s pop, Beth Portman brightens the greyest of skies. An engaging vocalist, ukulele player and songwriter; her music is filled with warmth, sunshine and a sprinkling of stardust. In addition to performing as a singer songwriter; Beth presents her picnic-themed shows for all ages and families. 

Beth has created two animated short films with the National Film Board of Canada and released three solo albums. Her 2023 album Great Great Day was described by Ukulele Magazine USA as “Imaginative and full of life." Coming in 2027, Beth’s new family-album Spring into Summer and accompanying live show.

LONG BIO

With her uplifting mix of early jazz, swing, roots, and 50s pop, Beth Portman brightens the greyest of skies. An engaging vocalist, ukulele player and songwriter; her music is filled with warmth, sunshine and a sprinkling of stardust. In addition to performing as a singer songwriter; Beth presents her picnic-themed shows for all ages and families. 

Beth first fell in love with early to mid-20th century music listening to the jazz soundtracks of the cartoons and movie musicals of the 1930s and 1940s. A classically trained animator, she created two animated short films—Cactus Swing and Fair Phyllis— for the National Film Board of Canada. Beth was part of the acclaimed world music a cappella group Juba! (1988-1998) which performed in festivals and soft seat venues across Canada and released four albums. As a solo artist she's recorded three albums: Lovin', Take a Trip and Great Great Day. Take a Trip she shaped into a train-themed concert with her band, The Good Find and was performed at Fort Edmonton Park's Capitol Theatre. 

In 2020 Beth began presenting her Beth Portman’s Picnic Shows for outdoor and indoor spaces. Suitable for all ages, these self-contained portable solo shows transform any spot into a music picnic. With her uplifting retro roots music and colourful visual style she's brought her music picnic to festivals, city and community events, schools, private celebrations, libraries, and music clubs. Her 2023 album Great Great Day inspired by her early picnic shows was described by Ukulele Magazine USA as “Imaginative and full of life." Coming in 2027, Beth’s new family-album Spring into Summer with accompanying live show.

Tech requirements: When venue is supplying sound system, Beth requires a mic, boom stand, and ¼" cable to input into DI for ukulele. or her looper station.. Power required for looper. Stage plot supplied on request. Beth can supply her own sound system for solo presentations if required. 

For performances with a duo, trio or band, technical needs will be different. Sound and stage requirements will be discussed and stage plot supplied. 

Alternative Billing: Beth Portman

SHORT BIO

With her gingham picnic blanket as her stage, uplifting retro roots music and colourful visual style; Beth Portman has been bringing her picnic-themed shows to outdoor and indoor spaces since 2020. An engaging vocalist, ukulele player and songwriter; Portman expands her solo performances with music layers prerecorded or created live onto her looper station (neatly stored in a wicker suitcase). 

MEDIUM BIO

With her gingham picnic blanket as her stage, uplifting retro roots music and colourful visual style; Beth Portman has been bringing her picnic-themed shows to outdoor and indoor spaces since 2020. An engaging vocalist, player and ukulele songwriter; Portman expands her solo performances with music layers prerecorded or created live on her looper station (neatly stored in a wicker suitcase). It’s a one-of-a-kind experience that’s playful, fresh and filled with sunshine.  

Beth has created two animated short films with the National Film Board of Canada and released three solo albums. Her 2023 album Great Great Day was described by Ukulele Magazine USA as “Imaginative and full of life." Coming in 2027, Beth’s new family-album Spring into Summer and accompanying live show.

LONG BIO

With her gingham picnic blanket as her stage, uplifting retro roots music and colourful visual style; Beth Portman has been bringing her picnic-themed shows to outdoor and indoor spaces since 2020. An engaging vocalist, player and ukulele songwriter; Portman expands her solo performances with music layers prerecorded or created live on her looper station (neatly stored in a wicker suitcase). It’s a one-of-a-kind experience that’s playful, fresh and filled with sunshine.  

As a solo artist she's recorded three albums: Lovin', Take a Trip and Great Great Day. Take a Trip she shaped into a train-themed concert with her band, The Good Find and was performed at Fort Edmonton Park's Capitol Theatre. Her 2023 album Great Great Day inspired by her early picnic shows was described by Ukulele Magazine USA as “Imaginative and full of life." Coming in 2027, Beth’s new family-album Spring into Summer with accompanying live show.

Beth first fell in love with early to mid-20th century music listening to the jazz soundtracks of the cartoons and movie musicals of the 1930s and 1940s. A classically trained animator, she created two animated short films—Cactus Swing and Fair Phyllis— for the National Film Board of Canada. Beth was part of the acclaimed world music a cappella group Juba! (1988-1998) which performed in festivals and soft seat venues across Canada and released four albums. 

Tech requirements: Beth can supply a sound system.  If a venue has it's own sound system, Beth can patch into it for larger sound. At least one monitor is required.  Access to power required. For outdoor performances a shelter will be supplied by presenter and set up ahead. Stage Plot supplied on request.