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.

Deep Blue Organ Trio © Don Berryman

The solid soulful team of Chris Foreman, Greg Rockingham and Bobby Broom together as The Deep Blue Organ Trio continue to expolre the classic soul-jazz combo configuration of the Hammond B3 organ, guitar and drums. Their last CD, "Folk Music",  blended jazz with soul, R&B, blues, gospel and won the award for Best Jazz CD at the 2008 Chicago Music Awards. Since April of 2003 the Deep Blue Organ trio has performed weekly Tuesday nights at the Green Mill. This weekend they will also do the prime-time slot on Friday, January 22nd at 9 p.m. and Saturday, January 23rd at 8 p.m.

"Whether the groove is moody, funky, or briskly swinging, guitarist Bobby Broom plays a crisp, articulated attack and wraps his spiraling lines in timbres that glow like burnished copper" -Guitar Player.

Bobby Broom © Don Berryman

Bobby Broom

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, JimmySmith 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.

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.

The Deep Blue Organ Trio began its journey in 1992 playing engagements at Chicago 's Cotton Club and Back Room. At the Cotton Club, a weekly gig which lasted for two years, the group began to develop its sound and musical connection. A connection which in large part began in the 1970s, when as teenagers Chris, Greg and Bobby were studying the organ jazz sounds which would soon become classic.  With each performance the Deep Blue Organ Trio recount tales of the essence of black music's past travels through Jazz, funk, soul and R&B, gospel and spirituals. 

Visit http://www.deepblueorgantrio.com for more information.

The Green Mill is located at 4802 N. Broadway Ave in Chicago. Call 773-878-5552 or visit www.greenmilljazz.com for more information.

---

Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites