Uptown Jazz Cafe is doing a takeover of Fitzroy Town Hall and bringing Eamon McNelis’s Skellingtons Quartet and Paul Williamson’s Hammond Combo to the Ballroom.

ARTIST LINE-UP:
Paul Williamson’s Hammond Combo

Paul Williamson’s Hammond Combo has been one of the most popular bands on the Melbourne scene, enjoying long-running residencies at venues like the Esplanade Hotel and the Rainbow Hotel; in fact, they’re still at the Rainbow and currently celebrating their 25th year.

They play jazz built on a solid foundation of Rhythm & Blues. Who can resist the vibrant sound of a saxophone wailing over the full-bodied throb of a Hammond B-3 organ, pushed along by a driving beat from the drums. This is music that grooves all night long, whatever the tempo, and compels the players to produce earthy, passionate solos.

Paul Williamson (tenor or baritone saxophone, vocals) has played jazz, R&B, blues, and rock with artists as diverse as Renee Geyer, Vince Jones, Dire Straits, Deep Purple,The Black Sorrows, The Jextet, Jane Clifton, Danny Moss, and The Moovin’ & Groovin’ Orchestra. He has also worked with US artists like Cornell Dupree, Jimmy McGriff, Lucky Peterson and Big Jay McNeely. Paul formed the Hammond Combo in 1991. They have made five CDs for Newmarket: ‘Red Hot Go’, ‘Live At The Esplanade’, ‘Over The Rainbow’, ‘Get Happy’ and ‘Month of Mondays'.

Tim Neal plays the Hammond B-3 to give the band that authentic sound, as defined by Hammond boss, Jimmy Smith, on his classic recordings for Blue Note and Verve. He worked with Bobby Previte’s Bitches Brew Project at the Melbourne International Jazz Festival in 1999 and has also worked with Archie Roach, Fiona Boyes, Ross Hannaford, Festa, Jim Kelly, Banana Oil, the Feelin’ Groovies, Matt Kirsch, Edward York and his own Trio.

Mike Jordan is the Combo’s drummer and also contributes some vocals. He has worked in a number of jazz settings, with artists as diverse as Brian Brown, Judy Jacques, and Tony Gould.

“They have been working together for a decade now, two or three times a week, and it shows. They seem to think as one, whether blowing up a storm, easing up, or locking into a groove. With its catchy riffs and blues/R&B sensibility, this is irresistibly groovy jazz, that anyone should be able to enjoy.” -The Bulletin

Paul Williamson - Sax
Tim Neal - Keyboard
Mike Jordan - Drums

Doors open at 7.00pm.

Follow the link for tickets to Eamon McNelis’s Skellingtons Quartet show.