Thara MemoryMultnomah County Sheriff’s Office Thara John Memory, the mentor of jazz artist Esperanza Spalding who won a Grammy with her in 2013, faces allegations of sexually abusing four private students in Portland.
The famed jazz musician and instructor was arraigned Monday on accusations of third-degree sexual abuse, attempted third-degree sexual abuse and harassment. He was booked into the Multnomah County Jail and then released.
Memory, 68, was indicted Friday.
The alleged victims are adult and juvenile female students taught privately by Memory, according to Portland police. He is accused of inappropriately touching the breasts, mouths and cheeks of the students between July 2013 and March 2016, the indictment said.
An investigation began last September after a complaint was filed, police said.
Memory directs the American Music Program, a nonprofit where students are taught jazz music. In 2013, Memory and Spalding won a Grammy together for their collaboration on Spalding’s song, “City of Roses.”
Portland police ask anyone with information on the case to contact Detective Jeff Myers at 503-823-0595 or jeff.myers@portlandoregon.gov.
— Everton Bailey Jr.
ebailey@oregonian.com
503-221-8343; @EvertonBailey
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