There’s something about the Hammond B3
As much as the sound of jazz has evolved, some components of its onstage makeup remain. Most of the music in the genre needs a rhythm section to move the sound forward, and there are still multiple influencers on trumpets and saxophones. Perhaps more surprising is the enduring presence of the organ, which rose to prominence in jazz with the late Jimmy Smith more than 60 years ago. There are certainly more portable keyboard instruments for road-tested musicians to take on tour, but there’s something about the Hammond B3 and its progeny that still has the power to overwhelm.
Three of the finest practitioners of the organ are performing on Denver bandstands in the days to come. Larry Goldings has been shining on his chosen instrument for a quarter of a century, playing in various impressive configurations, including a particularly memorable blowout with Jack Dejohnette and John Scofield in Telluride a decade ago. Goldings is currently working as a member of a different trio, with drummer Bill Stewart and guitarist Peter Bernstein. The group will stop by Dazzle at Baur’s on 17, and present its contemporary version of the laid-back organ trio. There will be two sets, at 6:30 and 9 p.m. Tickets run $15-35 at dazzledenver.com.
John Medeski has proven himself to be an inventive, omnipresent artist in jazz since the 1990s. Best known for his work in the Medeski Martin and Wood trio, he’s performed on the organ for countless frenzied jam band fans as well as hard to impress jazz aficionados. His newest project, John Medeski’s Mad Skillet, which just released its self-titled debut album, combines his twisting chops with New Orleans funk, and the results are as danceable as they are appealingly off-kilter. It’s a friendly album, with plenty of room for Medeski to stretch out with trippy solos, answered by the guitarist Will Bernard as well as sousaphonist Kirk Joseph and drummer Terrence Higgins from the mighty Dirty Dozen Brass Band. The quartet has three nights scheduled in Colorado: Jan. 18 at the 10 Mile Music Hall in Frisco; Jan. 19 at Cervantes’ Masjan. Ballroom in Denver; and Jan. 20 at The Armory in Fort Collins. If they’re playing close to you, don’t miss out.
Finally, another name that may not be yet as well known, Brian Charette, will appear at Nocturne Jazz and Supper Club on Jan. 23. Charette has backed up a wide range of artists, from Joni Mitchell to Lou Donaldson, and the albums under his own name easily fit into the grand tradition of exciting Hammond B3 dates. His latest, on the excellent Steeplechase and Positerpiece Tone labels, are self-assured demonstrations of the instruments’ enduring power. More information at nocturnejazz.com.
And more: Mary Louise Lee sings at Jazz@jack’s on Jan. 13, the same evening the Special EFX All Stars play the Soiled Dove Underground. … Vocalist-songwriter Somi appears with her group at Dazzle Jan. 15. … Grammy-nominated saxophonist Joshua Redman brings his quartet to the Boulder Theater on Feb. 2.