Brian Ho Organ Trio
Thursday, November 07
7:30PM|9:00PM
A CLASSIC, SWINGING JAZZ ORGAN TRIO!
Brian Ho began playing the piano at the early age of five. As he progressed, he was soon taking lessons from professors at both Stanford and San Jose State. By the age of sixteen, he was playing in bands throughout the area and also started teaching. It was also at that time where he forged his love affair with the Hammond organ when he played the organ every Sunday at an African American Baptist Church. After his college years at UC Davis, Ho decided to pursue his love of music as a leader, composer, and arranger. He now leads his own groups on the Hammond Organ and is an in demand sideman.
In early 2012, Ho released his first full CD release, "Organic", which features guitarist Calvin Keys (Ahmad Jamal, Ray Charles), drummer Lorca Hart (son of Billy Hart), and saxophonist Oscar Pangilinan. It charted on Jazzweek in its first week and spent eight weeks on the CMJ Jazz charts with four weeks in the top 20. Pete Fallico wrote, “the whole package offers such a refreshing palate of organ combo grooves and sonic delights.” Andrew Gilbert (JazzTimes) writes “Organic is an impressive debut.”
In addition to his own projects, Ho has recorded albums with Mimi Fox, Calvin Keys, Ron Jackson, Jim Witzel, and many more. He has been fortunate to play with world class musicians like Azar Lawrence, Gary Bartz, Billy Hart, Dan Wilson, Richie Cole, Christian Tamburr, Dann Zinn, Anton Schwartz, Sylvia Cuenca, and Dave Ellis. He has also performed at venues such as the Monterey Jazz Festival, Stanford Jazz Festival, Taichung Jazz Festival, the Belize Jazz Festival, Yoshis, and SF Jazz. He recently finished a new album with Paul Bollenback and Byron “Wookie” Landham that will be out in 2023.
“Brian Ho is a Bay Area organist that I’m really digging these days. He sounds good, doing some cool stuff, and keeping the tradition alive….the future of jazz organ is in good hands.” - Joey Defrancesco