|
Written by Don Berryman
|
|
Thursday, 12 June 2003 |
Joey DeFrancesco is
considered by most to be the
finest jazz organist today.
This years’ Downbeat
Magazine's 2003 Critics Poll
selected Joey as
the #1 jazz organist.
"Congratulations to Joey on his
Grammy Award nomination !"
The 46th Annual Grammy
Awards February 8th, 2004
Category 48
Best Jazz Instrumental Solo,
All Or Nothing At All
Joey DeFrancesco, soloist
Track from: Falling In Love Again
[Concord Jazz]
If you’ve heard Joey play, all I have to say it that he’s coming to town and you’ll be there. Joey has amazing chops and can play bebop, hard-bop, free, soul-jazz and post-bop with precision, depth and swing. Joey was an organ prodigy and started playing the Hammond B3 as a very young child and his father (“Papa” John, also an organist) started taking him to clubs to hear the greats when he was only 7. When he was 10 he got up on stage and played “Rock Candy” with Jack McDuff.
When Joey was only 17 years old, Miles Davis asked him to join his band. Joey toured Europe and recorded two albums for Columbia records with the Miles Davis band. Then Joey’s solo career was launched with his own Columbia record deal. Joey is credited with helping to bring back the Hammond B3 organ as a popular jazz instrument in the 80’s
Joey listened and learned from the B3 masters, especially Jimmy Smith to whom Joey pays homage in his 1999 High Note release, “The Champ”. Joey swings just like Jimmy too and in 2000 recorded the CD “Incredible!” with Jimmy Smith. He also pays tribute to Don Patterson in “Tribute to Don Patterson: The Philadelphia Connection” released this year. Joey also learned a lick or two from our own beloved Jack McDuff and recorded with him as well.
|