Upstream Music Fest + Summit 2017, Day 3: Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio

On Saturday afternoon, Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio debuted three new songs to a capacity crowd at Little London Plane in Pioneer Square. Though the trio finished some of new tunes, including the ironically named "I Don't Want to Play This," as recently as Monday afternoon, there was no way that anyone could tell the difference. The band's groove ran deep.

"Tacoma Black Party" drew a particularly large crowd, its irresistible groove encouraging kids to press their faces against the glass windows of Little London Plane, seeking a closer look at guitarist Jimmy James' show-stopping antics. Overtop a Clyde Stubblefield-worthy pocket supplied by drummer David McGraw, James let it all hang loose. As the solo grew more bluesy and ferocious, his eyes closed, his mouth swung open, and his face turned to the grimace of a guitarist who can't believe how hard he's shredding. Channeling his inner Jimi, who grew up on the same street as Little London Plane, James lifted the guitar to his face and played with his teeth. Now it was the crowd who was in disbelief. When, with a nod, James handed the song back to the band, Lamarr played the joker, juxtaposing James' epic solo with the cartoon couplet "Shave and a Haircut." Jump back 60 years and relocate this session to Memphis, and it could have easily been a song recorded by Booker T. and the MG's. Even if Seattle was full of Hammond Organ Trios -- it’s not -- the Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio would still be the finest around for miles.