Description
Delvon LaMarr Organ Trio – Live At KEXP! – Vinyl Record
Live at KEXP! by the Delvon LaMarr Organ Trio is a raw, electrifying snapshot of one of the most exciting modern soul-jazz groups in action. Released in 2018, this album captures the trio’s live in-studio performance at the Seattle-based radio station KEXP, and it helped catapult the group to wider recognition thanks to both the tightness of the set and the viral popularity of the performance on YouTube.
The Delvon LaMarr Organ Trio—often abbreviated as DLO3—is known for their irresistible blend of vintage soul, jazz, funk, and blues, drawing deep inspiration from classic organ groups like Booker T. & the M.G.’s, Jimmy Smith, and The Meters. The group’s lineup on this performance features:
Delvon LaMarr – Hammond B3 organ
Jimmy James – guitar
David McGraw – drums
What makes Live at KEXP! so special is its stripped-down authenticity. There’s no post-production polish—just the organic interplay of three masterful musicians, grooving in real time. Delvon’s Hammond B3 work is fiery and soulful, laying down grooves that move between funk swagger, blues grit, and smooth jazz elegance. Guitarist Jimmy James brings a deep pocket and a raw, bluesy attack, full of expressive bends and vintage tone. Meanwhile, drummer David McGraw keeps everything grounded with tight, in-the-pocket rhythms that swing and snap with effortless precision.
Musical Highlights:
“Concussion” – a heavy, funk-laced opener with swagger and attitude, driven by syncopated organ riffs and punchy guitar licks.
“Little Booker T” – a tribute to Booker T. Jones, this track is drenched in 60s soul-jazz charm, combining melodic warmth with rhythmic precision.
“Tacoma Black Party” – full of bluesy grit and psychedelic soul energy.
“Memphis” – a laid-back groove that oozes Southern charm and slow-burning cool.
“Close But No Cigar” – perhaps the most well-known track, it encapsulates everything great about the trio: catchy melodies, deep groove, and warm vintage tones.
Even though it’s a live set, the performance is incredibly tight, a testament to the group’s chemistry and experience gigging together. The grooves lock in quickly, and the improvisations feel both inspired and cohesive—never meandering, always purposeful.
The video of this KEXP performance has racked up millions of views, helping introduce the trio to a global audience and serving as one of the best examples of modern instrumental soul-jazz done right. The album itself became a favorite among fans of retro funk, organ jazz, and groove-based instrumental music, and it set the stage for their subsequent studio albums like Close But No Cigar and I Told You So.
Live at KEXP! is more than a live album—it’s a mission statement from the Delvon LaMarr Organ Trio. Full of soul, grit, and groove, it’s a throwback to the golden age of organ trios while feeling fresh, modern, and completely alive. Whether you’re a jazz aficionado or just someone who loves good instrumental groove music, this set is a must-hear.
Brand new, never played and still sealed in the factory plastic
Track Listing
Move On Up
Memphis
South Leo St. Stomp
Concussion
I Don’t Want To Play That
Tacoma Black Party
Top Going Down, Bottom Going Up
