Henry Johnson Organ Express

Checkerboard Lounge, Chicago,IL
Nov. 30, 2008

Henry Johnson

Story and Photos by James Walker

The Hyde Park Jazz Society continues to produce exceptional jazz every Sunday, with guitarist Henry Johnson and his Organ Express packing the Checkerboard Lounge on November 30th for three hours of "finger-snapping, foot-tapping" jazz. The Organ Express, consisting of Chris Foreman on the B-3 organ, Peter Roothaan on saxophone, Greg Rockingham on drums, in addition to Johnson, has performed together in the Chicago area for over ten years. And it showed, as this "well-oiled machine" didn't miss a beat all night long.

They wasted little time bringing energy to the house as Roothaan opened with a solid solo followed by Johnson with Foreman bringing audience members to their feet on "Frets Blues." This was a number recently written by the group and it immediately excited the crowd. This one could be a hit!!!!!!!!!!

The second number showcased the skill of the fleet-fingered Johnson as he rapidly stroked the guitar on another recently penned song. Johnson and Foreman engaged in a little bantering with both musicians apparently enjoying this "combative" moment. Cooling things down a little, the band dedicated a soft ballad to birthday "girls," twins Linda Hall and Brenda Phillips, Jazz Jocks from WHPK.

One of the first set's highlights came during the playing of George Benson's "Myna Bird Blues" which featured a stirring solo by drummer Greg Rockingham. Rockingham brought the house down with his rapid fire solo that he brought to a rolling cresendo.

They concluded the first set with a number dedicated to vocalist Nancy Wilson, who Johnson performed with for years. Johnson demonstrated his nice vocals on "Save Your Love For Me," while Roothaan tenderly complemented him on the alto sax, as Foreman brought the set to a conclusion with a rousing extended solo. This was truly a crowd pleaser.

The remainder of this outstanding evening consisted primarily of standards from Brother Jack Mcduff, Stanley Turrentine (two of Johnson's former employers), Burt Bacharach, and Duke Ellington. It was during their version of Duke's "Caravan" that Rockingham "rocked" the house with his patented explosive rapid fire roll on the snare drum. What a perfect way to bring to a climatic conclusion another Hyde Park Jazz Society's Checker Jazz Set.

For detailed information about future Checker Jazz sets, refer to their website at www.checkerjazz.org.