++ Mr. Vale’s Math Class ++

You may or may not learn anything with Mr. Vale's Math Class but you're guaranteed to have a good time. This six piece funk band has horns that knock down the door and percussion-laden grooves that are the perfect accompaniment to any dance party. While you're at it, come grab some pots and pans & join in.

Alongside Jordan Vale on keys, trumpet and vocals, Mr. Vale’s Math Class includes musicians Nick Hamel on guitar, Patrick Golichnik on bass, James Ford on drums, Miette LaPierre on vocals, JD Erickson on saxophone along with a rotating cast of dynamic guest musicians.

Mr. Vale's Math Class seeks to evoke curiosity and create moments of play. Through our songwriting we explore anxiety and complex emotions, hoping to normalize the absurdity of being human and invite listeners to move their bodies, laugh, shout, and take life a little less seriously.

Our songs may bring a listener back to their formative school days and the emotions they experienced as they learned about math and maybe felt overwhelmed by the demand for right answers. Revisiting these familiar concepts, we introduce play in hopes to spark fresh curiosity and self-compassion.

“We Can Help You Out”

Mr. Vale’s Math Class’ newest album “We Can Help You Out” is out now on all platforms! Recorded at Trash Treasury by local treasure Cam Spies and joined by an incredible lineup of musicians, including members of Plastic Cactus, Queen Elizabeth, Night Heron, Martha Stax, Kulululu, and Melao de Cuba, the music takes you through a full spectrum of math inspired emotions (anguish, joy, heartbreak) and teaches you that Mr. Vale’s Math Class really knows how to party.

“Show Your Work”

Their first EP “Show Your Work” is a community effort of talented musicians lending their skills and imagination to create a unique sound. The heart of the album is cute and fun, sprinkled with skits and unexpected noises. With notes of funk, Latin beats, saxophones, trumpets, bells, and catchy cheers, the album is an invitation to play. Despite the band’s name, these songs will not teach you about math. Except that you plus this music equals a good time.

++ Mr. Vale ++

Jordan Vale is a Multi-Instrumentalist and Math Tutor based in Portland, Oregon. As a musician he is always trying to find the best way to add to any musical situation. “I think being thoughtful and considerate while making music will always make for a better music and create a more meaningful relationship between the people making music as well as the people listening.”. He takes a similar approach with he students and understands that teaching Math is as much about building relationships and have fun as it is learning the Math itself.

After attending Michigan State University where he completed degrees in both Jazz Studies and Mathematics Jordan moved to the Portland area where he now resides and works. Since arriving in Portland Jordan has been tutoring math privately and at math centers such as Mathnasium. he’s been a member of groups such as Typhoon, High Step Society, Roselit Bone, Plastic Cactus, Kulululu, Night Heron, The Jack Maybe Project, Melao de Cuba, and more. “Math and Music are both important parts of my life and who I am and I’m so lucky that I get to actively pursue both of my passions and create community with excellent musicians, students, and people”.

++ Press ++

“We Can Help You Out is the debut LP by Mr. Vale's Math Class, and while it's not a straight-up "teaching" album like those great kids' records by They Might Be Giants, the tunes are mostly (or all) about the world of numbers. The group is tight and fun, and while most of the music exists in that funk-jazz-rock world I associate with jam bands, the spikey "Do Your Math" is somewhere between Devo and James Chance's no-wave funk.” - Pulp

“this release [“We Can Help You Out] is an eclectic, catchy new ride from the familiar Math class we know and love.” - Eleven PDX

“Mr. Vale’s Math Class: A Band You Can Count On” - WECB

“Jordan Vale and friends make arithmetic an activity you'll want to do at the bar…Show Your Work, six songs reminiscent of the legendary Multiplication Rock but updated with flairs of funk, Latin beats, all sorts of horns and other bright, silly sounds, resulting in a jammy, Vulfpeck meets Mayer Hawthorne vibe.” - Vortex Magazine

“Mr. Vale’s Math Class, is a rip-roaring romp of a musical project.” - Curbside Press

“Holy Mother of Instruments, thou has blessed thee with an exciting jam to vibe with.” - Illustrate Magazine

“If you made a graph where the x-axis is fun and the y-axis is funk, Mr. Vale’s Math Class is so far from the origin that you’d need a new TI calculator to plot it” - Fox Walker

“Most fun band in Portland right now” - Machado Mijiga (Gohan Blanco)

++ Radio + Interveiws ++

Dan Cable Presents - Apple Music - Spotify

X-Ray FM Interview with DJ Barbarella on Flying Saucer Safari - Listen Here

Haute Garbage Podcast - Listen Here