‘Organism’ is a band comprised of experienced professional musicians who perform regularly in a wide range of venues. Our fun music has grown out of the swingin’, bluesy soul and funky groove style of jazz from the late 1950’s and is usually associated with such record labels as ‘Blue Note’, ‘Pacific’, ‘Prestige’, ‘Riverside’, ‘Impulse’ and ‘Atlantic’.
The Organism music appeals to both young and old - a groovy crowd at an inner-city bar who want to get up and dance... a fun in the sun day at the winery with laid-back music to relax to, an older audience who want to sit and talk with a few friends or business associates at a function... All will be intrigued through excellent musicianship. The Organism cool style has seen the band perform locally around Melbourne to as far away as China!
Organism is very employable due to the fact that it can be as small as a duo or trio. This does not mean that the music lacks in fire and energy, in fact Organism produces a very full sound (not to be confused with amplification). The Hammond Organ provides all the bass-lines as well as sharing the melody, chords and solos and therefore fills an incredible amount of frequencies to make the band sound and feel bigger. Add to this an incredible funky guitarist or a singing trumpet player and one of Melbourne’s best drummers and you have a big sounding fully live band with few musicians to pay. Organism trio also does not require a large amount of floor space.
Organism can add extra musicians when required - such as a Saxophone or dedicated vocalist.
Organism band members work hard to make each and every gig something we are proud of. The extra effort to play well and have fun rubs off on the audience and that means the venue has a better atmosphere.
Playlist...
The ‘Organism’ playlist consists of carefully chosen music written in much the same style and era of jazz. This is important to set the right kind of mood and feel for a performance. Samples of some tunes can be heard on the Organism website at: www.upproductions.com.au/organism
Funky Tunes...
Watermelon Man (Herbie Hancock)
Cantaloup Island (Herbie Hancock)
Midnight Creeper (Lou Donaldson)
Everything I do gonna be funky (Allen Toussaint)
Why am I Treated So Bad (Roebuck Staples)
Comin’ Home Baby (Ben Tucker)
Think (McKracklin)
Night Train (James Brown)
Blue Monk (Thelonius Monk)
Black Talk (Charles Earland)
Chittlins Con Carne (Kenny Burrell)
Shake A Tail Feather (Hayes, Williams, Rice)
Swingin' and Bluesy Soul...
Work Song (Nat Adderly, O. Brown)
Mr PC (John Coltrane)
Blue Train (John Coltrane)
Back to the Chicken Shack (Jimmy Smith)
Our Miss Brooks (Harold Vick)
Walk Tall (J. Zawinul, E. Marrow, J. Rein)
Let The Good Times Roll (Theard, Moore)
Muddy Water (Eddie Miller)
Tenor Madness (Sonny Rollins)
Sonny Moon for two (Sonny Rollins)
Time is Tight (Jones, Cropper, Dunn,Jackson)
Face to Face (Baby Face Willette)
Soulful Standards and Latin...
All Blues (Miles Davis)
Caravan (Juan Tizol, Duke Ellington)
Song for my Father (Horrace Silver)
Mercy Mercy Mercy (Josef Zawinul)
Blue Bossa (Kenny Dorham)
Summertime (G. Gershwin D. Heyward)
Sunny (Hebb)
Yesterday (Y. Ono, J. Lennon, P. McCartney)
Moanin’ (Bobby Timmons)
People get Ready (Curtis Mayfield)
Georgia on my Mind (Hoagy Charmichael)
Girl from Ipanema (A. Jobim)
Plus many others... easily 4 hours of music.
Anthony Baker (Drums)
Anthony is one of Melbourne’s most respected drummers. He has played and
recorded with many well known Australian musicians including: Kate Ceberano,
Christine Sullivan, Vika and Linda Ball and Tommy Emannuel amongst many others.
Anthony’s career highlights include the ‘Sydney Jazz Festival’ with Kate Ceberano
to 100,000 plus crowd, the Kate Ceberano CD ‘Live at Mietta’s’ and six sell-out
shows for the opening of the ‘Continental Café’ with a big star-studded line-up.
Organism is proud to be able to offer Anthony’s great drumming talent.
Richard Dodson (Hammond Organ)
Richard has led successful Hammond bands for a number of years holding
long-term gigs at numerous venues. He toured Victoria and N.S.W. in an Elvis
showcase along with many of the famous ‘Moovin’ & Groovin’’ orchestra members
and played at ‘The Wangaratta Jazz Festival’ and ‘Montsalvat Jazz Festival’ with
various big bands. Highlights in Richard’s career include performances with
‘Humphrey B. Bear’, ‘Sam Newman’, ‘Eddie McGuire’ , ‘Dame Edna Everage’
and travelling to China to perform in a huge leisure theme park called Happy Valley!
Rohan Wallis (Trumpet/vocals)
Rohan graduated from the Victorian College of the Arts and is currently
the music co-ordinator (Head of School) at Ballarat University’s music
department. He has played with famous Australian jazz musicians like
‘Gill Askey’, Acid Jazz bands such as “Skunkhour” and is often seen on stage at well known Melbourne venues
such as the ‘Night Cat’. Apart from his trumpet playing, Rohan is very well
regarded for his great vocals and stage presence.
Danny Healy (Saxophones)
Danny is only 23 years old and is fast becoming one of the best saxophonists
in the country. He has a Masters Degree from the Victorian College of the Arts
and played with Organism in the band’s 4 month trip to China performing to
over 50,000 people on some days. Danny plays Baritone, Tenor, Alto and
Soprano Saxophones and Flute. Danny also took up Chinese Bamboo Flute
in China.
Axel Whitehead (vocals)
Axel stems from a background at the Victorian College of the Arts and traveled
to China with Organism as the band’s vocalist. Axel has performed with names such as “James Morrison Band” and
the ‘Sedergreen’ jazz family (Bob, Steve and Mal) and many others - he is often
seen on stage at Melbourne venues such as ‘Bennet’s Lane’ and ‘Dizzy’s’.
Highlights in Axel’s career so far include: Final 40 in the “Australian Idol” TV Series
and currently being a presenter for the music TV show “Video Hits”
Shane Reilly (guitar/vocals)
In order to keep Organism a small and cost effective combo, Shane is very
valuable as both an incredible guitarist and a talented vocalist. Shane’s formal
qualifications in Music Performance have ensured success in bands such as
the comedy band ’Flares’ in which he performed with George Cappiniaris
(’Mimo’ from ‘Acropolis Now’) and Lisa McCune (’Blue Heelers’)
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