Back to All Events

Mr. Vale’s Math Class at Mississippi Studios w/ Jay Si Proof and Sean McLean

  • Mississippi Studios 3939 North Mississippi Avenue Portland, OR, 97227 United States (map)

$15 Advance $20 at the door - 9 pm to Late

Mr. Vale's Math Class is more than the sum of its parts—the six-piece funk band brings rollicking dance-party vibes backed by zippy horns, wink-and-a-nod lyrics, and an energizing stage performance to the Pacific Northwest and beyond. If only high school math class were this much fun.

Oscillating between playful and serious, the band riffs its way through blues, funk, and jammy notes from bygone eras, with modern, fresh lyrics that feel plucked from a math wizard's hat. Rest assured, Mr. Vale's Math Class will have you grooving to the golden mean, even if you can't find your protractor or remember how to do quadratic equations.


Led by the multi-instrumentalist and math tutor Jordan Vale on keys, trumpet, and vocals, the group includes musicians Nick Hamel on guitar, Milo Fultz on bass, James Ford on drums, David Burrows on auxiliary percussion, and Lhanna Writesal on saxophone, along with a rotating cast of dynamic guest musicians.

Always cooking up something new, Mr. Vale's Math Class released Live, Math, Love part 1 in 2026, a four-song EP that blends funky grooves, heartfelt moments, and clever math-inspired storytelling and builds on the band's identity as cheeky educators with serious musical chops. The EP followed several 2005 and 2022 singles and its 2002 album We Can Help You Out, which Eleven PDX called "a funky, jazzy, lovefest."

Mr. Vale's Math Class has rocked the house at major PNW music fests, including Juniper Jam, Shift, NW Folklife, and Goodtime Campout, and has opened for acts such as Jamie Cullum, Marchfourth, and High Step Society.