Wil Blades Trio
Formed in January of '14 to record Wil's next record, this trio features Jeff Parker of Tortoise on guitar and New Orleans drummer Simon Lott. Look for a release this summer!
Amendola Vs. Blades
Wil Blades and Scott Amendola conjure various sonic deities though only a duo. Their live shows have been generating a buzz around the Bay Area. The two got their start as a group when Scott had the vision of performing Duke Ellington’s “Far East Suite” in duo with Wil. While quite a daunting task translating a suite (originally written for a big band) into duo, the Hammond Organ had previously been used in the 1940’s and 1950’s to emulate the sound of big bands. With Wil’s knowledge of this tradition and Scott’s desire to push boundaries, they were able to pull it off in an explorative, yet cohesive manner. The duo continues to perform the Ellington suite in their live performances, while also developing their original material. In performance, Amendola and Blades cover everything from Avant Garde to Funk, Bebop to Rock
Wil Blades and Scott Amendola conjure various sonic deities though only a duo. Their live shows have been generating a buzz around the Bay Area. The two got their start as a group when Scott had the vision of performing Duke Ellington’s “Far East Suite” in duo with Wil. While quite a daunting task translating a suite (originally written for a big band) into duo, the Hammond Organ had previously been used in the 1940’s and 1950’s to emulate the sound of big bands. With Wil’s knowledge of this tradition and Scott’s desire to push boundaries, they were able to pull it off in an explorative, yet cohesive manner. The duo continues to perform the Ellington suite in their live performances, while also developing their original material. In performance, Amendola and Blades cover everything from Avant Garde to Funk, Bebop to Rock
Billy Martin and Wil Blades Duo
Billy Martin and Wil Blades wanna make you Shimmy. On their debut recording, the organ/drums duo waste no time getting right down to it. They go old school in the tradition of those essential organ-groove sides by the likes of Charles Earland, Brother Jack McDuff and Groove Holmes. Martin, drummer for the legendary Medeski, Martin & Wood, and Blades, a buzzed about young organist from San Francisco, first came together for a low-key, one-off late night set during the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival in 2011.The music that evening was so deep down in the pocket, the pair knew instantly there would be more shows together in their future. A West Coast tour was arranged for later in the year, which played to packed houses from Washington to California. In the middle of the run, Martin and Blades ducked into a Berkeley recording studio to capture what would become Shimmy. The electricity between the drummer and organist runs high voltage through tunes like “Brother Bru,” “Toe Thumb” and “Les & Eddie.” Speaking of Les and Eddie, Billy and Wil turn out a blazing rendition of Eddie Harris’ “Means Greens,” as well as reviving the traditional spiritual “Down By The Riverside.”
Billy Martin and Wil Blades wanna make you Shimmy. On their debut recording, the organ/drums duo waste no time getting right down to it. They go old school in the tradition of those essential organ-groove sides by the likes of Charles Earland, Brother Jack McDuff and Groove Holmes. Martin, drummer for the legendary Medeski, Martin & Wood, and Blades, a buzzed about young organist from San Francisco, first came together for a low-key, one-off late night set during the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival in 2011.The music that evening was so deep down in the pocket, the pair knew instantly there would be more shows together in their future. A West Coast tour was arranged for later in the year, which played to packed houses from Washington to California. In the middle of the run, Martin and Blades ducked into a Berkeley recording studio to capture what would become Shimmy. The electricity between the drummer and organist runs high voltage through tunes like “Brother Bru,” “Toe Thumb” and “Les & Eddie.” Speaking of Les and Eddie, Billy and Wil turn out a blazing rendition of Eddie Harris’ “Means Greens,” as well as reviving the traditional spiritual “Down By The Riverside.”
O.G.D.
Featuring Wil Blades on Hammond B3 Organ, Joe Cohen on saxes, Steve Burke on guitar and Brandon Etlzer on drums. O.G.D. formed in the early 2000's when they were asked to open for one of their heroes, Soul-Jazz legend Melvin Sparks, at the Boom Boom Room in San Francisco. O.G.D. started as an organ trio honoring the music of the great Boogaloo and Soul-Jazz music of the 60's and 70's such as, Ivan "Boogaloo" Joe Jones, Grant Green, Lonnie Smith, Idris Muhammad, Cannonball Adderely and others. The band eventually expanded, adding Joe Cohen on sax and incorporating their own original music. The band has gained a reputation as one the funkiest bands in the Bay Area and performs regulary around local venues, as well as being featured at the SFJAZZ Festival.
Featuring Wil Blades on Hammond B3 Organ, Joe Cohen on saxes, Steve Burke on guitar and Brandon Etlzer on drums. O.G.D. formed in the early 2000's when they were asked to open for one of their heroes, Soul-Jazz legend Melvin Sparks, at the Boom Boom Room in San Francisco. O.G.D. started as an organ trio honoring the music of the great Boogaloo and Soul-Jazz music of the 60's and 70's such as, Ivan "Boogaloo" Joe Jones, Grant Green, Lonnie Smith, Idris Muhammad, Cannonball Adderely and others. The band eventually expanded, adding Joe Cohen on sax and incorporating their own original music. The band has gained a reputation as one the funkiest bands in the Bay Area and performs regulary around local venues, as well as being featured at the SFJAZZ Festival.
