Jazz at the HQ

Hellkvist HQ, Uppsala

May 5, 2021, 8:00 pm

This date was originally booked for Boheme, but Kettil had to cancel so me and Ola decided to ask Erik Söderlind instead to join us. Me and Erik have a repertoire called S.H.O.P – Söderlind-Hellkvist Organ jazz project. A project dedicated to the organ jazz of the 50s and 60s. Hard swinging straight ahead jazz in the spirit of Jimmy Smith, Jimmy McGriff, Jack McDuff and others. So much fun!

We started the set with the Jimmy Smith version “Organ Grinder’s Swing”, one might say a theme song for the whole genre. Jimmy Smith also made some collaborations with Wes Montgomery and one of my favorite sune that they recorded was “O.G.D.”, or “Road song” which is its other name.

One of the most beautiful ballads played on organ trio is in my opinion “I’ll close my eyes”, by Jimmy Smith, Kenny Burrell and Grady Tate, also on the “Organ Grinder’s Swing” record. So that one was a given as well in this set.

Then for some more Wes. His tune Jingles is a really fun and upbeat tune.

In Sweden, one of the most iconic recrds of the era was Kjell Öhman’s “Kjell Öhman plays organ jazz” from 1968. On that record he does a version of “Cry” that is so beautiful, with Rune Gustafsson on guitar. So we play that one for Kjell and Rune, who both sadly has passed away.

When it comes to “party jazz”, there’s no one like Jack McDuff. One tune of his that I really like is “Duffin’ ‘Round” that he recorded with David “Fathead” Newman on flute.

Richard “Groove” Holmes’ version of “Misty” has to be one of the most recognizable recordings of the genre. A great version of a great song and so fun to play.

We ended the set with a little faster tune, “Ready and able”.

Then for the encore – Jimmy McGriff’s classic “All about my girl”.

Hope you enjoyed the stream and see you at the next one!

Pictures

Musicians

Lineup

Erik Söderlind – gitarr
Andreas Hellkvist – Hammond B3
Ola Bothzén – trummor

Venue

Hellkvist HQ, Uppsala

Libro ringväg 8

752 28 Uppsala

To venue