"If this band appeared in New York City, they'd be a sensation!" That was guitar great--and one-time Mel Brown bandmate--George Benson's reaction after hearing the Mel Brown B-3 Organ Group open for him in 2003. This true all-star band has been a sensation for a long time—including a 20-year run on Thursdays at Portland’s Jimmy Mak’s (The Oregonian dubbed them “Jimmy Mak’s signature group”). A collective resume that reads like a "Who's Who" of NW jazz, blues, and soul, this group has the talent and confidence to be completely spontaneous--from their blistering solos to their improvised arrangements and segues.
MEL BROWN -- An Oregon icon, has been labeled the "Gentleman of Jazz," with a career spanning a half century. The city of Portland proclaimed June 22, 1989 "Mel Brown Day" in recognition of Mel's achievements as a musician and educator, receiving the Governor's Arts Award in 2002. Mel first made his mark as a Motown staff drummer, recording and touring with the Temptations, Smokey Robinson, and many others. He subsequently spent ten years working with Diana Ross and other pop acts before giving up the road in 1991 and returning home to his first love: jazz. Mel has been a fixture in Portland ever since, leading groups six nights a week at Jimmy Mak's and other venues when he isn't backing jazz artists like Joey DeFrancesco and Benny Golson.
DAN BALMER -- Widely considered the defining sound of contemporary jazz guitar in the Northwest. Described by the Los Angeles Times as "the model of what a contemporary guitarist should be," Dan is one of the most original and creative artists to come from the fertile Northwest music scene. Dan has played and recorded with a long list of jazz greats, has released six CDs of his own, is a jazz educator and a noted composer. Dan leads his own groups and performs with jazz artists including Diane Schuur, Benny Green, and Jeff Hamilton.
RENATO CARANTO -- described as "one of Portland's most soulful jazz saxophonists" by The Oregonian," Renato is one of the most versatile, accomplished, soulful saxophonists anywhere. Arriving from the Philippines in '81 with only his horn, Renato has built an enviable career in Portland. After gaining a foothold in the local scene, Renato became one of the most sought-after jazzmen in the NW and beyond. In recent years, he’s toured with Grammy-winning jazz artist Esperanza Spalding and late country legend Merle Haggard. Talk about versatility!
LOUIS "KING LOUIE" PAIN -- "Portland's boss of the B-3" (The Oregonian) hails from San Francisco, where he played and recorded with a wide variety of top musicians: Tower of Power guitarist Bruce Conte, Santana saxophonist Jules Broussard, Edwin Hawkins vocalist Dorothy Morrison, and B.B. King saxophonist Bobby Forte. After moving north in '86, Louis continued the trend. His 2016 cd with vocalist LaRhonda Steele, “Rock Me Baby,” was honored by Downbeat as one of the “Best Albums of 2016.” Louis’ knack for playing exactly what's needed to further the song has made him Portland's "first call" organist.
Join Donna Jones and the Delegation for unique sultry and soulful renditions of jazz classics, new jazz tunes, and some powerful blues. Donna is a Portland native whose singing roots began her church gospel choir. She stretched her vocal and performing skills in local musical theater productions with Stumptown Stages and World Stage Theater and is delighted to be lead singer in the Delegation. She is accompanied by the melodic and talented keyboardist, Dan Hergert, who performs for all types of events in a wide range of styles from jazz, blues, soul, and Latin, to pop, rock and contemporary favorites. He honed his jazz chops as the lead pianist with the Vanport Jazz Big Band. As an official musician at Portland International Airport, Dan performs solo piano to over a million travelers every year. Jeff Davis joins them in the Delegation on drums and vocals. Born and raised in Denver, educated in Hawaii, and now here in Portland, Jeff has played with many groups and ensembles from London to Lake Oswego including Portland favorites Voodoo BBQ. He brings a bright, affecting rhythm and groove, perfectly meshed with the gravelly vocals and unique style of jazz bass from James Latham. James performed with indie band The Frigidaires, and with such notable local musicians as Bre Gregg of Red Bird, Lori Fletcher from Deco Moon Jazz, the No Requests Jazz Trio, Scott Denis’ Ten String Blues, and now lays down the rhythm for Donna Jones and The Delegation.
Lee's Jam Trio
is a Hip Hop, Neo Soul, R&B and Jazz outfit made up of 3 of some of the hardest working R&B musicians in Portland right now. Between the 3 of them, the make up the core rhythm sections of the bands Adebisi, Nothing is Real, Namu, Jessica Manalo, ROYAL, Dusty the Gorilla, David Barber Music, and others, along with their own individual side projects. The groups members all take influence from everything from Bebop to Brazilian Jazz to Hiatus Kaiyote and J DIlla, and have come together to form a new mostly improvisational project just for the Jack London's Sunday series! The Trio is: Patrick Golitchnik on Bass, Kiran Ardakar on Keys/Piano, and Lee Hauser on Drums.
The London is proud to continue the jazz tradition of the Monday Night Big Band. On a night when most musicians are free of gigs, they gather in numbers to play some of the music they love most: everything from Ellington and Basie to Buddy Rich and Michael Buble. Don't miss this chance to enjoy the power and diversity of the top horn-heavy bands from Portland and beyond.
Rose City Swing is a 16+ member big band playing classic dance music.
"If this band appeared in New York City, they'd be a sensation!" That was guitar great--and one-time Mel Brown bandmate--George Benson's reaction after hearing the Mel Brown B-3 Organ Group open for him in 2003. This true all-star band has been a sensation for a long time—including a 20-year run on Thursdays at Portland’s Jimmy Mak’s (The Oregonian dubbed them “Jimmy Mak’s signature group”). A collective resume that reads like a "Who's Who" of NW jazz, blues, and soul, this group has the talent and confidence to be completely spontaneous--from their blistering solos to their improvised arrangements and segues.
MEL BROWN -- An Oregon icon, has been labeled the "Gentleman of Jazz," with a career spanning a half century. The city of Portland proclaimed June 22, 1989 "Mel Brown Day" in recognition of Mel's achievements as a musician and educator, receiving the Governor's Arts Award in 2002. Mel first made his mark as a Motown staff drummer, recording and touring with the Temptations, Smokey Robinson, and many others. He subsequently spent ten years working with Diana Ross and other pop acts before giving up the road in 1991 and returning home to his first love: jazz. Mel has been a fixture in Portland ever since, leading groups six nights a week at Jimmy Mak's and other venues when he isn't backing jazz artists like Joey DeFrancesco and Benny Golson.
DAN BALMER -- Widely considered the defining sound of contemporary jazz guitar in the Northwest. Described by the Los Angeles Times as "the model of what a contemporary guitarist should be," Dan is one of the most original and creative artists to come from the fertile Northwest music scene. Dan has played and recorded with a long list of jazz greats, has released six CDs of his own, is a jazz educator and a noted composer. Dan leads his own groups and performs with jazz artists including Diane Schuur, Benny Green, and Jeff Hamilton.
RENATO CARANTO -- described as "one of Portland's most soulful jazz saxophonists" by The Oregonian," Renato is one of the most versatile, accomplished, soulful saxophonists anywhere. Arriving from the Philippines in '81 with only his horn, Renato has built an enviable career in Portland. After gaining a foothold in the local scene, Renato became one of the most sought-after jazzmen in the NW and beyond. In recent years, he’s toured with Grammy-winning jazz artist Esperanza Spalding and late country legend Merle Haggard. Talk about versatility!
LOUIS "KING LOUIE" PAIN -- "Portland's boss of the B-3" (The Oregonian) hails from San Francisco, where he played and recorded with a wide variety of top musicians: Tower of Power guitarist Bruce Conte, Santana saxophonist Jules Broussard, Edwin Hawkins vocalist Dorothy Morrison, and B.B. King saxophonist Bobby Forte. After moving north in '86, Louis continued the trend. His 2016 cd with vocalist LaRhonda Steele, “Rock Me Baby,” was honored by Downbeat as one of the “Best Albums of 2016.” Louis’ knack for playing exactly what's needed to further the song has made him Portland's "first call" organist.
About Something is a stand-up comedy & music event, curated and hosted by subversive comics D Martin Austin & Carlos Kareem Windham. We are about community & solidarity building thru Black folx, People of Color, and QT fam laughing and shaking our asses. NOT FOR THE WHITE GAZE!
*Allies are welcome to attend, but we aren't for or about y'all
January's featured performers are DJ Wild Child, The Real Hyjinx, Grace Cejas, Summer Azim, and musical guest, Chrissy Marie
Håfa is a group that consists of three individuals. Cory Limuaco (drums), Charlie Brown III (keys) and Matt Sazima (Keys) make up this group in hope to bring the individual backgrounds of music, culture, life experience and much more into a single space where creation is not only inevitable, but enriching and new in some way every performance. All having different and similar tastes in music with different upbringing mixed with the interesting instrumentation of 5 keyboards and hybrid drums, Håfa aims to bring a sound that is original yet pleasing.
“Inclusion is important to me, especially now more than ever and I aim to bring everyone on and off the stage closer within this musical experience. Coming the other side of the world in relation to the US, it’s always been a dream of mine to bring not only mine, but the creative vision of others come to life though music.”
Plutons is a group formed by Chris Phillips, a native to Chicago, is a regular in the Portland, Oregon music scene. Chris has continued to spread music throughout the Northwest. He has been named the West Side Blues Association's "Keyboardist Of The Year" for 2013. Since moving from Chicago to Portland in 2006 Chris has worked to bring influences of funk, blues, hip hop, soul, indie and jazz into everything he does.
After working to put together a couple of successful trios it was not until the release his first record with his 10 piece funk monster Philly's Phunkestra that he gained more exposure. Most recently Chris has spent time with new funk outfit the Roseland Hunters and shared stages with groups such as Dumpstaphunk, Rebirth Brass Band, Fitz and the Tantrums, The Wailers, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Galactic and more
The London is proud to continue the jazz tradition of the Monday Night Big Band. On a night when most musicians are free of gigs, they gather in numbers to play some of the music they love most: everything from Ellington and Basie to Buddy Rich and Michael Buble. Don't miss this chance to enjoy the power and diversity of the top horn-heavy bands from Portland and beyond.
Marta Pereira da Costa is the world`s first and only professional portuguese guitar female player in Fado, the soulful music from Portugal recently acknowledged by UNESCO as part of the World ́s Intangible Cultural Heritage.
She started playing the piano at the age of 4, later at 8 learned the classical guitar and at 18 began to study the Portuguese Guitar through the hand of Carlos Gonçalves, one of the most important Amália Rodrigues guitar players.
Marta had the opportunity to play with names like Mariza, Camané and Carlos do Carmo for several occasions. She became a member of Mário Pacheco ́s musical group, having participated in many concerts in Portugal and abroad, mainly after the recording of his album “ Clube de Fado - a música e a guitarra”, acclaimed by Songlines magazine as the best of World Music in 2005. In 2008, invited by the famous composer and spanish producer Jaime Roldán, she recorded “ Pasa”in “Unidad de Canciones Intensivas”. In 2012 Marta recorded the Portuguese Guitar for Rodrigo ́s “ Fados de Amor”, the first album in history of Fado where the Portuguese Guitar is solely played by a woman, awarded Best Fado Album of 2012 by the prestigious Amália Rodrigues Foundation.
2012 was also the year that Marta decided to abandon her work as a civil engineer in order to pursue her professional career in music as a Portuguese Guitar player. In March that year she gave her first solo concert in Toronto, where she returned one year later. Then, in June, she performed at the portuguese Embassy in Ljubljana ( Slovenia), where she returned in October. Also in June, included in the program of the city “Festas de Lisboa”, she presented her first self-titled performance in Lisbon to a large audience and huge success.
In the same month she performed in Madrid at Teatros del Canal for the II Fado Festival. During the rest of that year she played at TEDx Boavista, and in the prestigious venue of CCB in Lisbon.
"If this band appeared in New York City, they'd be a sensation!" That was guitar great--and one-time Mel Brown bandmate--George Benson's reaction after hearing the Mel Brown B-3 Organ Group open for him in 2003. This true all-star band has been a sensation for a long time—including a 20-year run on Thursdays at Portland’s Jimmy Mak’s (The Oregonian dubbed them “Jimmy Mak’s signature group”). A collective resume that reads like a "Who's Who" of NW jazz, blues, and soul, this group has the talent and confidence to be completely spontaneous--from their blistering solos to their improvised arrangements and segues.
MEL BROWN -- An Oregon icon, has been labeled the "Gentleman of Jazz," with a career spanning a half century. The city of Portland proclaimed June 22, 1989 "Mel Brown Day" in recognition of Mel's achievements as a musician and educator, receiving the Governor's Arts Award in 2002. Mel first made his mark as a Motown staff drummer, recording and touring with the Temptations, Smokey Robinson, and many others. He subsequently spent ten years working with Diana Ross and other pop acts before giving up the road in 1991 and returning home to his first love: jazz. Mel has been a fixture in Portland ever since, leading groups six nights a week at Jimmy Mak's and other venues when he isn't backing jazz artists like Joey DeFrancesco and Benny Golson.
DAN BALMER -- Widely considered the defining sound of contemporary jazz guitar in the Northwest. Described by the Los Angeles Times as "the model of what a contemporary guitarist should be," Dan is one of the most original and creative artists to come from the fertile Northwest music scene. Dan has played and recorded with a long list of jazz greats, has released six CDs of his own, is a jazz educator and a noted composer. Dan leads his own groups and performs with jazz artists including Diane Schuur, Benny Green, and Jeff Hamilton.
RENATO CARANTO -- described as "one of Portland's most soulful jazz saxophonists" by The Oregonian," Renato is one of the most versatile, accomplished, soulful saxophonists anywhere. Arriving from the Philippines in '81 with only his horn, Renato has built an enviable career in Portland. After gaining a foothold in the local scene, Renato became one of the most sought-after jazzmen in the NW and beyond. In recent years, he’s toured with Grammy-winning jazz artist Esperanza Spalding and late country legend Merle Haggard. Talk about versatility!
LOUIS "KING LOUIE" PAIN -- "Portland's boss of the B-3" (The Oregonian) hails from San Francisco, where he played and recorded with a wide variety of top musicians: Tower of Power guitarist Bruce Conte, Santana saxophonist Jules Broussard, Edwin Hawkins vocalist Dorothy Morrison, and B.B. King saxophonist Bobby Forte. After moving north in '86, Louis continued the trend. His 2016 cd with vocalist LaRhonda Steele, “Rock Me Baby,” was honored by Downbeat as one of the “Best Albums of 2016.” Louis’ knack for playing exactly what's needed to further the song has made him Portland's "first call" organist.
What began in 2013 as an impromptu lineup for a one-off gig became a weekly event spanning several years and a trio was born with three of Portland’s internationally acclaimed artists. Jarrod Lawson is a rare triple-threat nucleus providing stunning vocals, original songs and nimble keyboard work that covers all the bases. Recognized as one of the most important soul artists of this century, he performs often at prestigious venues and festivals around the world. Guitarist Chance Hayden adds color in all the right places and steps up boldly as the trio’s primary soloist. Tyrone Hendrix delivers deep pocket grooves from the drum set with a lifelong passion that began in the church and led him all the way to backing icons such as Stevie Wonder and Prince. While melding the sophistication of jazz with the raw emotion of classic soul, the trio’s sound is further defined by a natural chemistry that has continued to mature as they’ve performed, toured and recorded. Although their repertoire decidedly includes a number of familiar songs, they’re adeptly refreshed with enthusiasm that’s contagious. The trio strives to represent great connectivity with the music they love, warmly welcoming listeners into the journey.
In 1974, while on break from touring Diamond Dogs, Bowie began recording at Philadelphia’s Sigma Sounds, laying down what would be the beginning of a revolution in his musical legacy.
So revolutionary that when the tour picked up again, they abandoned the elaborate theatrical construct, thus killing the last remains of Ziggy Stardust. Bowie and his new band delivered a stripped-down show christened “The Soul Tour ( Philly Dogs)” and previewed tracks from the upcoming album.
This new sound that Bowie called “Plastic Soul” was his take on white artists appropriating black music and black musicians to create watered-down commercial versions of soul music.
As part of the 2020 Days of Bowie, we welcome for a second year Portland luminary Christopher Brown for the jazz tribute Black Tie/White Noise.
Christopher, his brilliant ensemble and special guests, will be taking us on a tour of “Young Americans” and “Station to Station.”
for a unique tribute to Bowie’s “golden years.”
Eugene Rashad and Y Not host an MLK Day music celebration and showcase and have added the renowned Renato Caranto of the Mel Brown trio, and local legend Eldon T. Jones of InTouch with breakout Neo Soul vocalist...Brika De Tar as special guests for this memorable community celebration to the music and the man!
Join us at JLR for an evening to remember honoring the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr!
The Jack London Revue is proud to continue the jazz tradition of the Monday Night Big Band. On a night when most musicians are free of gigs, they gather in numbers to play some of the music they love most: everything from Ellington and Basie to Buddy Rich and Michael Buble. Don't miss this chance to enjoy the power and diversity of the top horn-heavy bands from Portland and beyond.
The Minidoka Swing Band (MSB) was formed in September 2007, as a tribute to Japanese Americans incarcerated during WWII. MSB is led by Portland Jazz artist Larry Nobori and features two outstanding vocalists Andy Streich and Nola Sugai Bogle. MSB relives the Big Band era of the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s with such artists as Benny Goodman, Glen Miller, Duke Ellington, Jimmy Dorsey and more. You’ll be tapping your toes or bring your dance shoes and hit the floor with some jitter bug!”
Join us at the Jack London Revue for some raunchy comedy vibes at The Dirty Comedy Hour Volume 6 Starring Hannibal Thompson
Also featuring sets by Lance Edward, Jake Silberman & Daja Monae
+ Special Musical Performance by DBOI LTD
Hannibal has been pursuing his dream of becoming a comedian/Actor since he was a young boy. He's been performing and studying acting, drama, sketch, and stand-up comedy since he was eight years old. The California native has worked with such comedy heavyweights as Mark Curry, Sinbad, and Bill Bellamy and graced the stage at clubs all over the world including Four USO Comedy tours in 2015-2019 in countries like Korea, Japan and Kuwait. 4 tours of western Canada. Comedy clubs including L.A.'s historic Comedy Store, San Francisco's Purple Onion, Caroline's on Broadway in New York City and multiple Improv comedy clubs accross the U.S. in 2019 He also was a special guest at Portland Trail Blazers star Damian lillard annual Brookfield picnic in Oakland Ca. The Veteran stand up comedian has recently became a internet sensation with his comedy skits and Instagram LIVE show.
Hannibal starred in the YEAR 2017 film “The American Dream,” On AmazonPrime as well as played the lead role in several commercials. He credits a childhood of watching comedy giants like Eddie Murphy, Will Smith, Red Foxx, Bernie Mac, Keenon Ivory Wayans, and Richard Pryor with influencing his comedic style and propelling his dreams.
Hannibal has performed across the world in such historic venues as:
4 USO Comedy TOUR’s in Korea, Japan, Kuwait, Abu Dhabi and Guam (military basis)
"If this band appeared in New York City, they'd be a sensation!" That was guitar great--and one-time Mel Brown bandmate--George Benson's reaction after hearing the Mel Brown B-3 Organ Group open for him in 2003. This true all-star band has been a sensation for a long time—including a 20-year run on Thursdays at Portland’s Jimmy Mak’s (The Oregonian dubbed them “Jimmy Mak’s signature group”). A collective resume that reads like a "Who's Who" of NW jazz, blues, and soul, this group has the talent and confidence to be completely spontaneous--from their blistering solos to their improvised arrangements and segues.
MEL BROWN -- An Oregon icon, has been labeled the "Gentleman of Jazz," with a career spanning a half century. The city of Portland proclaimed June 22, 1989 "Mel Brown Day" in recognition of Mel's achievements as a musician and educator, receiving the Governor's Arts Award in 2002. Mel first made his mark as a Motown staff drummer, recording and touring with the Temptations, Smokey Robinson, and many others. He subsequently spent ten years working with Diana Ross and other pop acts before giving up the road in 1991 and returning home to his first love: jazz. Mel has been a fixture in Portland ever since, leading groups six nights a week at Jimmy Mak's and other venues when he isn't backing jazz artists like Joey DeFrancesco and Benny Golson.
DAN BALMER -- Widely considered the defining sound of contemporary jazz guitar in the Northwest. Described by the Los Angeles Times as "the model of what a contemporary guitarist should be," Dan is one of the most original and creative artists to come from the fertile Northwest music scene. Dan has played and recorded with a long list of jazz greats, has released six CDs of his own, is a jazz educator and a noted composer. Dan leads his own groups and performs with jazz artists including Diane Schuur, Benny Green, and Jeff Hamilton.
RENATO CARANTO -- described as "one of Portland's most soulful jazz saxophonists" by The Oregonian," Renato is one of the most versatile, accomplished, soulful saxophonists anywhere. Arriving from the Philippines in '81 with only his horn, Renato has built an enviable career in Portland. After gaining a foothold in the local scene, Renato became one of the most sought-after jazzmen in the NW and beyond. In recent years, he’s toured with Grammy-winning jazz artist Esperanza Spalding and late country legend Merle Haggard. Talk about versatility!
LOUIS "KING LOUIE" PAIN -- "Portland's boss of the B-3" (The Oregonian) hails from San Francisco, where he played and recorded with a wide variety of top musicians: Tower of Power guitarist Bruce Conte, Santana saxophonist Jules Broussard, Edwin Hawkins vocalist Dorothy Morrison, and B.B. King saxophonist Bobby Forte. After moving north in '86, Louis continued the trend. His 2016 cd with vocalist LaRhonda Steele, “Rock Me Baby,” was honored by Downbeat as one of the “Best Albums of 2016.” Louis’ knack for playing exactly what's needed to further the song has made him Portland's "first call" organist.
Tim Rose is a funk/soul artist from Honolulu, Hawaii. A Tacoma born, Hawaii raised funky white boy; ‘Soulful’, ‘Funky’, and ‘Smooth’ are words regularly equated with his music. Now based in Los Angeles, he tours around the west coast promoting his brand new Visual Album “<3”. His voice is a rough blue velvet— His guitar playing a deep funk pocket. His 2019 release “<3” was created after years of sacrifice and soul searching deep in the funk jungles of Hawaii. The visual album counterpart to this album was funded by his fans to the tune of $30,000 on Kickstarter, a total fundraising of over $60,000. He is a full time performer, touring regularly and playing shows all over the world. He’s had 3 songs he wrote and sang successfully synced on MTV, CBS, and CMT. He’s shared the stage with acts like Allen Stone, Sophistafunk, Lyrics Born, Deandre Brackensick and headlined successful club shows in Hawaii (Blue Note), Los Angeles (Hotel Cafe), Seattle (Triple Door), Portland (Jack London Revue) San Fransisco (Boom Boom Room), NAMM 2017-2020, ASCAP Expo, and his music videos “Be Myself”, “Sirens, and “Please please” have all garnered film festival “best music video” awards.
Premium lifestyle presents drummer extraordinaire Charles Tellis bringing you the latest R&B and hip hop music recreated with a live band. Come vibe out to your favorite new slaps from the latest chart topping hip hop artists, get ready to dance the night away with a night full of great music and a chill atmosphere. This Show will give you a vibe that you will never forget!
Join us at Jack London for a night of smooth soulful jazz provided by New Dew with a soul cypher afterwards featuring PDX HipHop Head 3rd Twin and the legendary 3rd Twin. Don't Sleep...
The London is proud to continue the jazz tradition of the Monday Night Big Band. On a night when most musicians are free of gigs, they gather in numbers to play some of the music they love most: everything from Ellington and Basie to Buddy Rich and Michael Buble. Don't miss this chance to enjoy the power and diversity of the top horn-heavy bands from Portland and beyond.
The Portland Woodshed Jazz Orchestra is a local community based group that meets every Thursday night throughout the year (8-10 week sessions -fall, winter, spring, and summer). This band has performed at many different venues around the Portland area including Jimmy Mak’s Jazz Club, summer outdoor concerts, Oregon Duck Football games (including the 2009 Civil War Game), and fundraisers for local charities The band, created in the fall of 2007, is conducted by local jazz trumpet player and Director of M.U.S.E, Bryant Allard.
She regularly performs worldwide at jazz festivals, jazz parties, and on jazz cruises. She has been a frequent guest on National Public Radio’s ‘Fresh Air’ with Terry Gross, has appeared on ‘A Prairie Home Companion’, and with Michael Feinstein at Carnegie Hall.
The Rebecca Kilgore Quartet (formerly known as BED) was a popular favorite on the jazz festival circuit: with Eddie Erickson (guitar/banjo/voice), Dan Barrett (trombone), and Joel Forbes (bass).
She has been performed with the Statesmen Of Jazz, dedicated to perpetuating the art of jazz for future generations.
Other venues. New York: Feinstein’s at the Regency; New York: Birdland; San Francisco: The Plush Room at the York Hotel; Oakland, CA: Piedmont Pianos; Culver City, CA: The Jazz Bakery; Fullerton, CA: Steamers Jazz Club; Phoenix, AZ: The Nash; Madison, NJ: Shanghai Jazz; LA: The Westin at LAX; Toledo, OH: Murphy’s Place; Cleveland Heights, OH: Nighttown; Ann Arbor, MI: The Firefly Club; Cincinnati, OH: The Blue Wisp; Southampton, UK: The Concorde Club; Sherman Oaks, CA: Spazio’s.
She is honored to have been inducted (in 2010) to the Oregon Music Hall of Fame and to the Jazz Society of Oregon’s Hall Of Fame, and to have been invited to perform at New York’s Mabel Mercer Cabaret Convention for three years at Town Hall and Lincoln Center. She was the guest of honor at the 2013 Roswell (New Mexico) Jazz Festival, and honored as a Jazz Legend at the San Diego Jazz Party in 2016.
"If this band appeared in New York City, they'd be a sensation!" That was guitar great--and one-time Mel Brown bandmate--George Benson's reaction after hearing the Mel Brown B-3 Organ Group open for him in 2003. This true all-star band has been a sensation for a long time—including a 20-year run on Thursdays at Portland’s Jimmy Mak’s (The Oregonian dubbed them “Jimmy Mak’s signature group”). A collective resume that reads like a "Who's Who" of NW jazz, blues, and soul, this group has the talent and confidence to be completely spontaneous--from their blistering solos to their improvised arrangements and segues.
MEL BROWN -- An Oregon icon, has been labeled the "Gentleman of Jazz," with a career spanning a half century. The city of Portland proclaimed June 22, 1989 "Mel Brown Day" in recognition of Mel's achievements as a musician and educator, receiving the Governor's Arts Award in 2002. Mel first made his mark as a Motown staff drummer, recording and touring with the Temptations, Smokey Robinson, and many others. He subsequently spent ten years working with Diana Ross and other pop acts before giving up the road in 1991 and returning home to his first love: jazz. Mel has been a fixture in Portland ever since, leading groups six nights a week at Jimmy Mak's and other venues when he isn't backing jazz artists like Joey DeFrancesco and Benny Golson.
DAN BALMER -- Widely considered the defining sound of contemporary jazz guitar in the Northwest. Described by the Los Angeles Times as "the model of what a contemporary guitarist should be," Dan is one of the most original and creative artists to come from the fertile Northwest music scene. Dan has played and recorded with a long list of jazz greats, has released six CDs of his own, is a jazz educator and a noted composer. Dan leads his own groups and performs with jazz artists including Diane Schuur, Benny Green, and Jeff Hamilton.
RENATO CARANTO -- described as "one of Portland's most soulful jazz saxophonists" by The Oregonian," Renato is one of the most versatile, accomplished, soulful saxophonists anywhere. Arriving from the Philippines in '81 with only his horn, Renato has built an enviable career in Portland. After gaining a foothold in the local scene, Renato became one of the most sought-after jazzmen in the NW and beyond. In recent years, he’s toured with Grammy-winning jazz artist Esperanza Spalding and late country legend Merle Haggard. Talk about versatility!
LOUIS "KING LOUIE" PAIN -- "Portland's boss of the B-3" (The Oregonian) hails from San Francisco, where he played and recorded with a wide variety of top musicians: Tower of Power guitarist Bruce Conte, Santana saxophonist Jules Broussard, Edwin Hawkins vocalist Dorothy Morrison, and B.B. King saxophonist Bobby Forte. After moving north in '86, Louis continued the trend. His 2016 cd with vocalist LaRhonda Steele, “Rock Me Baby,” was honored by Downbeat as one of the “Best Albums of 2016.” Louis’ knack for playing exactly what's needed to further the song has made him Portland's "first call" organist.
