Ken Mastrogiovanni Trio plays at the Jazz Station in Eugene
- Keith Brown piano
- Garrett Baxter bass
- Ken Mastrogiovanni drums
An evening of originals, standards, and other favorite tunes.
Oregon-based drummer, Ken Mastrogiovanni, brings a unique sensibility and modern voice to the drums and music, making him a rising musician of his generation in his scene. The very early years of his music environment was shaped by his older brother’s j-pop, ska, and electronic bands, as well as listening to the latest jazz and avant-garde music his father played at home. This would subconsciously influence his musical interests and vocabulary going forward. Starting drum set at the age of eleven, his musical adventure was fueled by many important mentors, eventually leading him to recent performance opportunities as a sideman with such artists as Jaleel Shaw, George Colligan, Dick Oatts, Roxy Coss, Clay Jenkins, Bruce Williams, Geoffrey Keezer, John Raymond, Remy Le Boeuf and the Redshift Trio. He completed his M.M. in Jazz Studies at the University of Oregon, and is now the drum set instructor at his alma mater in addition to maintaining his own private lesson studio. Producing under the title, “kenthemaestro”, he creates beats that transcend genre, often collaborating with MCs and other creative musicians.
Keith L. Brown is an accomplished composer, educator, and pianist, who has established himself as one of the most sought-after pianists in contemporary jazz. He was born in Memphis, TN, and raised in Knoxville, TN, where he began playing piano and bass at a young age. Keith grew up in a musically inclined family, where both his parents were musicians, and many of his aunts and uncles possessed exceptional musical talent. His father, Donald Brown, is a world-renowned jazz pianist, composer, and educator who was a part of Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers and has performed with many greats. His mother Dorothy is also a pianist who plays various woodwind instruments. Keith is currently the Assistant Professor of Jazz and Contemporary Piano at The University of Oregon. Keith's musical journey began by learning to play the songs of R&B artists like Stevie Wonder by ear. He then started taking classical piano lessons at the age of eight. His father played a pivotal role in nurturing Keith's musical ambitions by teaching him how to play his original compositions and jazz standards. Keith and his brothers, Kenneth and Donald Jr., were deeply into hip-hop music during their formative years. However, Keith began to study jazz seriously after graduating from high school. It was during this time that he was significantly influenced by other great Memphis pianists such as Phineas Newborn Jr., James Williams, and Mulgrew Miller. Since he began seriously playing at the age of 18, Brown has performed and recorded with a who’s-who of jazz luminaries. He currently tours as the pianist for Kenny Garrett. His tours and performances with artists such as Stefon Harris, Russell Gunn, Jazzmeia Horn, George Coleman, Greg Tardy, Camille Thurman, Terreon Gully, Willie Jones III, Endea Owens, Charles Tolliver, Buster Williams, Lenny White, Steve Turre, John Clayton, and more have captivated audiences worldwide. Drawing on his roots in R&B, Funk, Classical, Jazz, and Hip-Hop, Brown's unique composition and piano style seamlessly integrates these influences. He possesses an exceptional understanding of the language of jazz piano masters and can effortlessly transition between hard swing, funk, and free styles, while also showcasing his own distinct voice. With his innovative approach to jazz piano and his ability to seamlessly blend different musical styles, Keith L. Brown is a true standout in the world of contemporary jazz.
Garrett Baxter is an exciting figure in Portland’s jazz scene. Garrett performs regularly in bands led by Alan Jones, George Colligan, Michael Raynor, Christopher Brown, Noah Simpson, Domo Branch and more. He has had the privilege of touring internationally, as well as performing with artists such as Gilad Hekselman, Kevin Hays, Geoffrey Keezer, Benny Benack, Dick Oatts, Greg Ward, Jonathan Pinson, Sasha Berliner, Martina DaSilva, Caroline Davis, Yoav Eshed, Jaleel Shaw, Bruce Williams, Clay Jenkins, Mike Lee, and Javon Jackson. In 2020, he received the Outstanding Jazz Studies Undergraduate award while attending the University of Oregon. In addition to freelancing, Garrett teaches private lessons to all ages, and has given masterclasses to middle schools, high schools, and Universities across Oregon, Washington and Vienna, Austria.
