History Big Organ Trio

"This isn't your standard jazz trio", remarked Jambands.com. Since its inception in 2004, Big Organ Trio has emerged as a band with a truly unique voice. Their acclaimed debut CD was released in 2006 and has led to thousands of music and merchandise sales in addition to concerts across the U.S. and internationally.

B.O.T.'s groundbreaking approach to the organ trio format has drawn the attention of Keyboard Magazine, who featured the band in 2006, and many of the world's greatest Hammond players. The combo has played with Keith Emerson (Emerson, Lake, & Palmer) and shared the stage with Melvin Seals (Jerry Garcia Band). Gregg Rolie (vocalist/organist from Santana) and Tony Monaco (world renowned jazz organist) have also commented on the trio's fresh and inventive sound.

High profile performances at major music festivals such as 10,000 Lakes Festival (MN) and Fillmore Jazz Festival (SF) as well as shows with the likes of Robby Krieger (The Doors), Leo Nocentelli (The Meters), Umphrey's McGee, and Stanton Moore (Galactic) have helped fuel the buzz. With an exploding fan-base worldwide and gigantic internet presence the band has won fan voting polls on websites such as Jambands.com and seen their debut album become the top selling Hammond Organ album on CDbaby.com. B.O.T. music can also be heard on networks such as E! Channel and radio programs around the globe.

Mike Mangan (Hammond B3 Organ), Bernie Bauer (Electric Bass), and Mark Banner (Drums) all share a great love and respect for the old school spirit of blues and jazz improvisation. Fusing this basis with fresh musical ideas that borrow from rock, funk, hip-hop, Latin, electronica, and beyond, has helped them produce an innovative, modern, and totally original soundscape. B.O.T. has the unique ability to exude a startling energy uncharacteristic of organ trios. Banner blasts out highly creative grooves in various styles on drums. Bauer emits an undeniable pocket and tone, while often taking over lead melodies and solos on the bass. Add to the mix Mangan, an extremely unconventional organist who conjures new and unprecedented tones out of the legendary Hammond B3 organ, and we have a band that has achieved a very difficult task: finding its own voice.

Big Organ Trio is now planning a follow up album, which again promises to yield unprecedented innovation with the organ trio format. Their momentum is only gaining speed and the group is quickly carving a unique and inimitable niche. In the long lineage of music, B.O.T. has found its place as a pioneer in its genre, and is poised to be a staple in the music industry for a long time to come.

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