Once ‘the Jackson 5 of Everett,’ they’ll play the Nubian Jam

The Nubian Jam, a celebration of African-American and African culture, music and heritage, had its start in 1992. Twenty-six years later, a family of musicians will be honored during the daylong festival Saturday at Everett’s Forest Park.

“They’re going to honor our parents,” said Curtis Hammond Jr., 64, whose band is scheduled to play at noon Saturday during the free event.

His band’s name, BroHamM, is short for “brothers Hammond.” The Mountlake Terrace man is joined in the group by his brothers Larry and Len Hammond and three other band members, James Pautler, Gary Tobin and Bailey Richard.

Inspired by the brassy funk of Earth, Wind & Fire and other R&B legends, the band’s roots date to the brothers’ teen years. On Facebook recently, Curtis Hammond posted “This is the first BroHamM picture from back in the day!” It’s a picture of their father, saxophone player Curtis “Pops” Hammond, with his three musician sons — all with 1970s Afro hairstyles — and other band members.

“We were kind of known back in those days as the Jackson 5 of Everett,” Hammond said Tuesday.

During a break in the band’s set at Forest Park, the Hammond family will be honored as part of a new “Roots, Stems and Roses” program. It’s an effort by the Snohomish County Black Heritage Committee to recognize local families of African descent. The Nubian Jam is presented by the black heritage committee.

Hammond, a 1972 Everett High School graduate who works for Nordstrom in Seattle, said his father once owned the Brothers Tavern near Everett’s old train station. Originally from Oklahoma, Curtis Hammond Sr. was stationed with the Air Force at Paine Field. Military service later took him to France and Germany. He died about five years ago. The younger Hammonds lost their mother, Emma Jean Curtis, early this year. There are eight siblings in all, three of them in Oklahoma.

“Our dad was pretty good. He played with Ray Charles and Nat Adderley. And our mom sang for a little while,” said Hammond, whose band will also perform Friday night at Mountlake Terrace’s Tour de Terrace. “We’re a musical family,” he added.

“The band is super busy,” said Pautler, an attorney with Everett’s Deno Millikan Law Firm. Pautler plays the keyboard with BroHamM. “I wasn’t with them back in the day,” Pautler said. “Suffice it to say, I love the guys. They’re not just great musicians, they’re wonderful people — and fantastic band mates.”

The Nubian Jam was founded by Marilyn Quincy, Maxine Ponds and others whose ancestors were among the county’s first African-American residents. It takes its name from Nubia, the site of an ancient African kingdom in what’s now Egypt and Sudan.

Louis Harris, spokesman for the nonprofit Snohomish County Black Heritage Committee, said the idea for the Roots, Stems and Roses honor came from Shannon Pitts, a Nubian Jam volunteer.

“She and her family are longtime residents here,” Harris said. “We’re really glad she wanted to do that. This is a first. The hope is, we’ll create a catalogue of families in Snohomish County.”

While the Nubian Jam celebrates black heritage and culture, it’s for everyone. Organizers hope all families “hear about this event and attend,” Harris said.

Along with music, the day will feature the Reptile Man, a youth basketball tournament, more than 30 vendors including food providers, a fashion show, children’s craft area, car show and more. In recent years, between 2,000 and 3,000 people have attended.

After the scheduled acts, an open mic will showcase music and spoken-word performances. “It’s family friendly,” Harris said. “And the weather will be beautiful.”

Julie Muhlstein: 425-339-3460; jmuhlstein@heraldnet.com.

Nubian Jam

The 26th annual Nubian Jam, presented by the nonprofit Snohomish County Black Heritage Committee, is scheduled for 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday at Forest Park, 802 E. Mukilteo Blvd., Everett. Highlights include live R&B and soul music, food, vendors, service providers, children’s activities, and a visit from the Reptile Man. Sponsors include the city of Everett, Snohomish County NAACP and the Communities of Color Coalition.

Information: www.nubianjameverett.org