Acclaimed Portland Jazz Musician Charged With Sexually Abusing Students

An acclaimed jazz musician who calls Portland home and who has mentored countless students including Esperanza Spalding - with whom he shared a Grammy - has been arrested, accused of sexually abusing four of them.

Thara John Memory, who leads the American Music Program - where young people learn jazz - was indicted last week by a grand jury in Multnomah County on charges of harassment, sexual abuse, and attempted sexual abuse.

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The investigation began last September when Portland Police received a complaint about his conduct with a student.

Portland Police say that they discovered additional victims and different incidents going back to 2014. The investigation found that Memory's victims include both juvenile and adult female victims, according to police.

The alleged abuse, which police say goes back to 2013, involved inappropriate touching.

Memory shared a Grammy with Spalding that year for work on her song, "City of Roses."

Two years later, Memory led students in the American Music Program to first place in the prestigious Essentially Ellington competition in New York City. To secure the win, the band performed "The Tattooed Bride," considered Ellington's most difficult composition.

Portland Police Bureau Sex Crimes Unit detectives say that they believe there may be additional victims that have not contacted police. Any victims of Memory's behavior or anyone with information about additional victims is asked to contact Detective Jeff Myers at 503-823-0595, jeff.myers@portlandoregon.gov.

Photo Portland Police