 Henry Johnson © Andrea Canter Henry Johnson's musical roots run deep into gospel, blues, and jazz. His strongest and earliest influences were Kenny Burrell, George Benson, and most significantly, Wes Montgomery. While influenced by these great guitarists, Johnson also cites the music of Herbie Hancock, Oscar Peterson, Freddie Hubbard, Miles Davis, big bands, and jazz orchestras as integral forces which shaped his sound and style. Johnson's latest recording on A440 Music Group is called "Organic" and features Johson with the legendary vocalist Nancy Wilson backed by the Organ Express.
Henry Johnson has a connection with Jack McDuff, In 1976, he went on the road with McDuff but left when he was called to work with vocalist, Donny Hathaway in 1977. In 1979, Johnson began playing with jazz pianist, Ramsey Lewis. And in 1985, jazz legend, Joe Williams added Johnson to his regular group. Johnson's musical roots run deep into gospel, blues, and jazz. His strongest and earliest influences were Kenny Burrell, George Benson, and most significantly, Wes Montgomery.
Organist Chris Foreman's "insistently swinging, blues-drenched solo lines are dripping with churchified soul and show a fertile imagination. Foreman stands to advance to the front ranks of the elite B3 burners on today's scene" -JazzTimes.
 Chris Foreman
Chris Foreman is a masterful musician and heir to the throne occupied by the soulful, bluesy jazz organ legends who were once his influence. Blind at birth, Foreman started playing piano at age five and began formal training at seven. As a teenager he was attracted to the organ sounds of Jack McDuff, Groove Holmes, Jimmy Smith and Jimmy McGriff. This attraction led Chris to pursue playing jazz on the organ, which he undertook through intensive study of recordings. Unlike many African-American musicians whose musical knowledge begins and is established through the church, Chris didn't start his apprenticeship as a church organist until he was almost twenty years old - well after his jazz roots were established. He has arrived at a most exciting blend of blues-gospel and jazz and has developed a stunning command and range on the instrument. The blend of his sound is evident in his professional experience, which has included work with Hank Crawford, Albert Collins, Bernard Purdie and The Mighty Blue Kings.
"Rockingham again proves to be one of the steadiest and most reliably swinging drummers around" -JazzTimes.
 Greg Rockingham
Drummer Greg Rockingham began playing when he was just three years old and debuted as a professional musician at age five in his father's jazz ensemble. An alumnus of the famed Interlochen Arts Academy and Northeastern University, Greg has performed or recorded with a wide range of famous names, including the orchestras of Glenn Miller and Guy Lombardo, vocalists Freddie Cole, Patty Page and Jerry Vale and instrumentalists Nat Adderley, Kenny Burrell, Charles Earland and Ellis Marsalis. Andy's Jazz Club & Restaurant is in the heart of the River North Neighborhood of the Chicago Loop, at 11 East Hubbard Street -the intersection of State Street and Hubbard Street. Call 312-642-6805 for more information. |
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Thursday, 20 November 2008
