DJ Jason Brown, the grandson of the famous ’60s funk and soul singer James Brown, is coming to perform at the Box Factory’s Wildwood.
Jason, whose niche fits in remixing Brown’s songs with electronic sounds, modern drums, and afro-house and tech-house influences, is on a small tour making a stop in Bend. The goal of his music artistry is to match classic songs like “Sex Machine” and “Say It Loud” with a style that can appeal to newer generations.
“My first project was geared around Black History Month,” Jason says. “It worked well to have it represent the same thing my grandfather represented: being Black and proud. The mission is for all people to be proud of who they are and to peacefully respect the pride in other people.”
This event came together through Jason’s collaboration with the House of Sutiki, an art collective dedicated to promoting and celebrating primarily music-driven artists. HOS, with Danny Fry, who is also known as DJ Mr. Danimals, books and hosts music events weekly at a variety of venues across town.
“Our goal is to create an experience for people here in Bend that feels like they could be on any dance floor in any part of the world at that moment,” Fry says.
Jason says he felt an HOS collaboration would be a way he could bring his version of funk to the high desert scene.
His goal is to introduce a newer generation to his grandfather’s classics. He hopes to become internationally appealing like Brown, whom he frequently refers to as his “gramps.”
Through collaborations with techno and house artists like Carl Cox, Redux Saints and Laidback Luke, Jason has been gaining a lot of traction. He currently has over 45,277 listeners on Spotify and was recently backed and encouraged to release the tribute remixes by labels like Universal Music Group, which own Brown’s recorded masters.
Jason says he got to spend time with his gramps before he passed in 2006 and recalls spending time at his piano. Because Brown was “mostly travelling and booked everywhere,” Jason did not get a chance to record with him.
The bringing-to-life of his gramps’ work allows him to connect with him musically now.
“When I perform and DJ, I feel like the spirit of my ancestors are with me. That’s in anything I do, but with the relationship I had with my gramps, in spirit, it’s like he’s on the road with me. Especially when I play his remixes,” Jason says.
Jason is only in town for a few days, but while he is here, he says he would like to make time to bar-hop and try some local brews in true Bend fashion. He says he is looking forward to his next stop on his tour which is a residency in Ibiza, Spain. He looks forward to learning more in Ibiza as it is an area with a big electronic music influence.
Regarding his upcoming performance at the Wildwood, Jason had just a few emphatic words to say.
“I can’t wait to rock the crowd and keep the people dancing. Get ready to move!” Jason says.
DJ Jason Brown Live Performance at the Wildwood
Mar. 20 8pm-Midnight
Wildwood
550 Southwest Industrial Way #120
https://wildwoodbendoregon.com/
$15 presale $20 at door
This article appears in the Source March 12, 2026.
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