On Saturday, May 10th, the 2008 Silverton Wine and Jazz Festival will take place, showcasing many Portland musicians in venues all over Silverton.  Performers include Dave Frishberg, Darrell Grant, Randy Porter, Dan Schulte, Mel Brown, and many more.  The music takes place from noon until 9 PM, with a late set by Bobby Torres finishing out the evening.  Find more information at the festival’s website.

 

 

 Mel Brown’s B3 Quartet - a weekly event.  Featuring Renato Caranto, Dan Balmer, and Louis Pain.  www.jimmymaks.com for more info.

On Thursday, Mel Brown and his B3 band will celebrate their 10-year anniversary at Jimmy Mak’s. Mak’s club was the birthplace of the band which has held a regular gig there since the club’s early days at the old location.

Since their inception, the band has recorded a number of CDs, all of which have been live performances.

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Live at the Britt Festival: This record is a live recording (that the band didn’t know was being made) from the Britt Festival in Jacksonville, Oregon where the B3 band opened for George Benson (whom they dedicated one of their tunes). You can even hear Benson’s bass player cheering them on from offstage. The band on this album includes Dan Balmer on guitar, who took over Faehnle’s spot in the group. Also, Memory has left the horn section, leaving Carranto at the reins.

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