The Mel Brown B-3 Organ Group (Friday, Feb. 25, 2022)

 (Mel Brown, drums; “King Louie” Pain, organ; Dan Balmer, guitar; Renato Caranto, sax) 

"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 back in September, 2003 at Oregon's prestigious Britt Festival. In fact, this true all-star band--each member is widely viewed as tops in the Northwest on his instrument--has been a sensation for a long while now. With a collective resume that reads like a "Who's Who" of 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. No wonder they've thrilled audiences wherever they've played. 

Those venues have included Portland's top jazz club, Jimmy Mak's (every Thursday night for the entire 20-year run of that legendary jazz venue), the Jack London Revue (home to the band for the past 3 years), the Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival, The Britt Festival, The Mt. Hood Jazz Festival, the Rose City Festival, the Bite Of Oregon, The Port Townsend Jazz Festival, Jazz in the Valley, the Newport, OR Jazz Festival, Jazz at the Oxford, the Montavilla Jazz Festival, and many more.