Mel Brown B3 Organ Trio performs at the 1905
Two Shows - 6:00p and 8:15p
- Renato Caranto, Tenor Saxophone
- Louis "King Louis" Pain, Hammond B3
- Mel Brown, Drums
"If this band appeared in New York City, they'd be a sensation!" That was guitar great--and former Mel Brown bandmate--George Benson's reaction after hearing the Mel Brown B-3 Organ Group back in 2003. In fact, this true all-star band (all four members are Oregon Music Hall Of Fame inductees) has been a sensation going back to 1997, when they began a 20-year run on Thursday evenings at Portland’s legendary “Jimmy Mak’s” (The Oregonian dubbed them “Jimmy Mak’s signature group”). They’ve continued their Thursday night tradition at the Jack London Revue for the past 7 years, and are now appearing at The 1905 every Last Sunday! With 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. No wonder they've thrilled audiences wherever they've played. Count among the band’s fans jazz great Christian McBride, host of National Public Radio’s “Jazz Night In America.” In an October 2021 broadcast, McBride interviewed Mel and played excerpts from a Mel Brown B-3 Organ Group festival set. At one point in the program, McBride exclaimed, “My mind is blown!”
Details
Venue
Every day of the week in the evenings, and often multiple times per day on weekends, The 1905 plays host to the exquisite jazz community that Portland has to offer. In addition to keeping a finger on the pulse of the local scene, The 1905 has hosted internationally recognized musicians such as 5 time Grammy award-winner Antonio Sanchez, and Jazz greats like Ralph Peterson Jr.