Ken Clark Organ Trio

Ken Clark Organ Trio (KCOT) have been performing around New England and the eastern U.S. for the past 32 years.

"Organist Ken Clark, guitarist Mike Mele, and drummer Steve Chaggaris lean on the beat, they build dynamic climaxes sprinkle in jazz solos and deliver the goods,” wrote Owen Cordle in Jazz Times. “Clark controls the B3 like a master: hip bass lines, sizzling chordal washes, feel-good riffs, funky blues lines and syncopated accents figure in the mix. The groove, the sonic power of the organ and a soulful message are a forceful combination for reaching the people, all the way from the church to the dance floor. Can't beat the feeling."

Ken Clark is internationally known as one of the world’s greatest jazz organists. His technical ability joined with his natural feel for funk and soul makes a night with the KCOT an authentic, special one indeed. Ken Clark has toured and recorded with Bernard Purdie, Melvin Sparks and David “Fathead” Newman among others.

Steve Chaggaris is an alumnus of Berklee College of Music and the New England Conservatory of Music. He studied privately with Bob Gullotti, Dave Mattacks, Ian Froman, Alan Dawson, and Fred Buda.

Steve has amassed an extensive performance résumé with appearances throughout North America, Europe, and Japan. In addition to his longstanding tenure in the Ken Clark Organ Trio, Steve has performed and/or recorded with a variety of artists, including Amy Fairchild, Doug Hammer, Jody Blackwell, The Soul Band, Chris Stovall Brown, David Maxwell, Michelle Willson, David ‘Knife’ Fabris, and Ran Blake.

Guitarist Mike Mele graduated from Berklee College of Music in 1990 (Cum Laude), where he studied with John Damian and Al Defino. He’s a former student of the late distinguished music educationalist Charles Banacos. Pat Martino, Kenny Burrell, Grant Green, and Wes Montgomery are some of the artists that have most influenced Mike’s melodious style and approach.

Mike has spent the last 25 years performing with many jazz and blues greats, including Roy Hargrove, Antonio Hart, Tony Monaco, Bill Pierce, Joe Hunt, Barry Ries, Marty Rowen, Melvin Sparks, Myanna. Mike has been a member of the Ken Clark Organ Trio, and recorded the albums Eternal Funk and Mutual Respect for the distinguished Severn Records label. Mike was also a long-standing member of Michelle Willson’s Evil Gal Festival Orchestra, toured North America and Europe, and released the critically acclaimed album Wake-Up Call for Rounder Records.

Mike is also a prominent educator and has taught guitar lessons through The Music Emporium in Lexington for over 20 years.