Andreas Hellkvist

Every day for about 30 years, a woman namned Maria Johansson sat at Sergels torg (a landmark square) in Stockholm, playing an organ and singing spiritual songs. I vaguely remember her from my childhood years.

Yesterday, as a part of a larger exhibition an organ marathon was arranged in her honor. The backline was a B3, two leslies and a drum set. 5 B3 players – Malin Ahlberg, Errka Petersson, Pierre Swärd, Merit Hemmingsson and me.

Given the occasion, what would be more appropriate than to play my song Jesus? So here it is, for Maria

Earlier this summer I got a date at Stampen, Stockholm on quite a short notice. Luckily I managed to get my trio together and we had a fantastic night on July 4th. The place was packed and we got to play all the fun songs. Here’s one of them, my old “hit” Morgonkaffe. Enjoy!

I was honored to be listed as a Hammond B3 artist at Hammond Organ USA. Check out the link below. Feeling grateful and happy!

hammondorganco.com/artists/organ-and-leslie-artists/andreas-hellkvist/

I’ll also repost my demo video from NAMM earlier this year where I got to know many from the Hammond family. Hope to see you all soon again!

On September 24th 2018 my trio played at Fasching, Stockholm. We had a great night. I was really enjoying the sound of the two leslies.Just the other day I browsed through the recorded material and I thought I had to put some of it out. So here’s the last tune of the concert – Up and away. Enjoy!

This day 3 years ago, May 27th 2016, the day after my 40th birthday, marked the release of my first solo album Finally! It was a long and cumbersome process getting it out, but stimulating and fun as well.

After the summer, my second album will released, and I’m really looking forward to that. I the meantime, I thought I’d try to get rid of some of my stock of Finally!. if you don’t have a copy, get it! I promise you it’ll be worth it. It’s a feast of organ grooves, sounds and screams together with the artistry of three excellent guitar players.

You’ll get it now for SEK 150 (about $15), shipping included anywhere in the world! Let me know if you also want it signed.

Read more about the album here
https://andreashellkvist.com/records/finally

One of my highlights of 2018 was Trinity’s appaearance at Ystad jazz festival, in the beginning of August. It was one of those gigs where you feel like you’re almost on vacation. Our concert at the festival was also the official release concert for our 4th album Nuages. Here’s one video from the concert, Skylark, It’s one of my favorite tracks of the CD. Worked on some reharms and I think it turned out really nice!

Recently I asked Pete Fallico if he would be interested in writing liner notes for my upcoming CD. I was thrilled to hear that he was.

But even more so when he asked me for an interview on his pod “The doodlin’ lounge”. Yesterday he called me and we had a nice chat. The pod is already online, so do take a listen!

I was invited by the Swedish Hammond office to accompany them to NAMM. I haven’t been to NAMM before so I was really excited to go. I got to do two demos on the XK5 at the Hammond booth. Brought my gopro and filmed it so I’ll post it here. Enjoy!

One of the highlights of last year was to do a few concerts witht my trio. We’re making a new album in the beginning of next year and got to try out some of the songs that we’re recording. Here one  of them,  my song Trìtlar, named after an Icelandig candy. Enjoy!

October 25th was the release date of Claes Jansons new CD, “Ett ord till mina polare”. All with Swedish lyrics and mostly original songs, except two Ray Charles covers (with new Swedish lyrics). Arnesen Bluesband did the accompaniment for about half the tracks and on them I play the B3. We also to the full live shows with Claes. The record has quite a span musically, ranging from some bluesy heavier tunes to soft ballads. Check it out! I’ll post a few links below.

Spotify: open.spotify.com/album/4Y2UuWyfs0WSBMTxcON1Ax?si=kyEr6METTyeuGaciOPuBPA

Label: www.vaxrecords.nu/claes-jansson-ett-ord-till-mina-polare

Some reviews from the release concerts:
Uppsala Oct 25th –  www.uppsalanyheter.se/noeje/musik/item/7812-recension-claes-janson-firade-skivslapp-pa-katalin
Borgholm Nov 4th – www.olandsbladet.se/noje/claes-janson-gjorde-succe/