RAPHAEL WRESSNIG
Raphael Wressnig’s Soul Gumbo
"Soul-Jazz & New Orleans Funk”
“Oh yes, Raphael plays a dynamic brand of B-3 (…). He’s a high-voltage dynamo but also a musician of surprising delicacy and self-reflection. Call him one of the finest blues/jazz/soul B-3 operators anywhere.”
(FRANK-JOHN HADLEY, DOWNBEAT/USA)
"Laying it deep, playing for keeps" – that’s what the incredible performances of RAPHAEL WRESSNIG („Best Organ Player 2013” Nominee at Downbeat Critics Poll) on his Hammond-Original are all about. His music is love, emotion, energy and passion. A true love for various styles of roots music, an all-out conviction, charisma and an artistic approach to create music and a vibe that people can "feel" and enjoy. The sounds are sweet and sometimes tough but always "soulful". Elegant yet explosive - music with finesse but still exciting – he brings the heat, but in a lean-back and relax way ....
Fascinated by blues, R&B, soul, funk and jazz all of his life it had to be New Orleans to form and record Raphael’s new band and album, to be released worldwide on ZYX Records fall 2014. The blend of styles and ingredients is common use: the cuisine and the music of New Orleans are similar in a way, both borrowed from different traditions. That’s why his new project is the perfect spicy mix – like a nice stew, rightly called “SOUL GUMBO”. The groove is the meat, but you want to add other flavours as well.
"(Don't Be) Afraid To Groove" was another album title of RAPHAEL WRESSNIG and that’s what the audiences anywhere will do: nobody can resist to move or dance to these relentless grooves.
RAPHAEL WRESSNIG played most of the prestigious festivals, Veneto Jazz, San Javier, Dubai, Wiesen, Jazz A Juan, Cognac, Jazz in Catharge, Saalfelden, Rapperswil, Liburnia Jazz and the many, many more. He is now looking forward to more spring- and summer-festivals.
Also available with the “Soul Gift Band” (quintet: org, git, sax, tp, dr) on request and for special events.
Line up:
Raphael Wressnig – Hammond B-3 organ
Craig Handy - sax, voc
Alex Schultz – git
Johnny Vidacovich – dr, voc