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Deep Blue Organ Trio: Wonderful!

By Dan Bilawsky
August 22, 2011
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When it came time for the

SFJAZZ Collective

band / ensemble / orchestra
b.2004

" data-original-title="" title="">SFJAZZ Collective to choose a composer to honor in their eighth season, they surprised a lot of people when they went with the one and only

Stevie Wonder

vocals
b.1950

" data-original-title="" title="">Stevie Wonder. While some likely view this decision as a statement that, after covering

Ornette Coleman

saxophone, alto
1930 - 2015

" data-original-title="" title="">Ornette Coleman,

John Coltrane

saxophone
1926 - 1967

" data-original-title="" title="">John Coltrane,

Thelonious Monk

piano
1917 - 1982

" data-original-title="" title="">Thelonious Monk,

Wayne Shorter

saxophone
1933 - 2023

" data-original-title="" title="">Wayne Shorter,

McCoy Tyner

piano
1938 - 2020

" data-original-title="" title="">McCoy Tyner,

Herbie Hancock

piano
b.1940

" data-original-title="" title="">Herbie Hancock and

" data-original-title="" title="">Horace Silver, the revered jazz composer well had run dry, those with a keen ear and a strong pulse know better. The group was making a statement that Wonder's body of work is up there with the best of them, regardless of stylistic tags, and it would seem that the Deep Blue Organ Trio feels the same way.

For its fourth album—and second on the Origin label—this tight, Chicago-based outfit tackles nine songs written or co-written by Wonder. The focus is on material from the early '70s, when Wonder was dominating the music world, but skips over the usual suspects like "Sir Duke," "Superstition" and "Higher Ground" in favor of other tunes which, while equally popular in some cases, aren't nearly as overplayed.

This trio is a paragon of taste and style, avoiding exhibitionism in favor of a more soulful worldview, and this particular outlook serves the music well at every turn. Organist Chris Foreman carries out the melodic duties more often than not, and he provides uncluttered accompaniment for guitarist

Bobby Broom

guitar
b.1961

" data-original-title="" title="">Bobby Broom's solos. His own solos are straightforward and, while he can really cook, he's not the type of player to resort to

Joey DeFrancesco

organ, Hammond B3
1971 - 2022

" data-original-title="" title="">Joey DeFrancesco-style pyrotechnics. Broom, best known for his work with

Sonny Rollins

saxophone
b.1930

" data-original-title="" title="">Sonny Rollins, has a clean, full-bodied sound and his solos are blues-laced beauties which epitomize class. He can provide some seriously soulful support when the music calls for it ("You Haven't Done Nothin'"), but he also stands out as the premier soloist in the group ("Jesus Children Of America"). Drummer Greg Rockingham avoids flash in favor of feel, and he sets up each song with the perfect groove. He provides a waltzing tom and hi-hat beat on "Golden Lady," delivers driving swing on "Jesus Children Of America," and slips some grease into the mix on the Rufus-associated "Tell Me Something Good."

These three men have been making music together under the Deep Blue Organ Trio moniker for eleven years and they've developed a deep connection with one another during that time. This well-conceived Steve Wonder tribute should go a long way in getting them the attention they so clearly deserve.

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Track Listing

Tell Me Something Good; If You Really Love Me; Jesus Children Of America; My Cheri Amour; Golden Lady; You Haven't Done Nothin'; It Ain't No Use; As; You've Got It Bad Girl.

Personnel

Deep Blue Organ Trio

band / ensemble / orchestra

Chris Foreman: Hammond B3 organ; Bobby Broom: guitar; Greg Rockingham: drums.

Album information

Title: Wonderful! | Year Released: 2011 | Record Label: Origin Records

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