Many of us old-timers remember George “Big G” Coleman in the late 50s and 60s performing with almost every single legendary name in that golden era of American jazz, a.o. Miles Davis. Coleman who turns 90 this year is still going strong and surrounds himself with the elite artists of younger generation including the leader of this album Brian Charette (Hammond-B3). This album can be seen as the sequel to 2018’s “Groovin’ With Big G” (SCCD 31857) again with Charette in charge of keeping the music flowing. “This is a mellow date, a blowing date to be sure but Charette’s B-3 rarely goes the funk route and is closer to Wild Bill Davis. Coleman’s tenor is as strong as ever and while not aggressive, it is still forceful.” (Papathomas on SCCD 31857)

Hammond B-3 organ has a rich host of illustrious players in the jazz history including Jimmy Smith, Jack McDuff, Joey DeFrancesco to mention a few, but Brian Charette is the first (and so far the only) jazz artist who recorded solo organ albums. The first release was highly acclaimed SCCD 31756 Borderline of 2013. Here on his third solo endeavour Charette delights us premiering as vocalist on 2 tracks. “Charette is a burning soloist who understands the tradition of the Hammond B-3 as well its future—just as certainly as he understands his place in that lineage.” (Ken Micallef – Downbeat)

Big G as in George Coleman, Sr. The legendary tenor saxophonist is the featured artist here on Brian Charette’s new album. George Coleman is the recipient of 2015 NEA (The National Endowment for the Arts) Jazz Masters Awards, the highest honor USA gives to a jazz musician. For B-3’s most adventurous and talented practitioner Brian Charette who has known the Coleman father and son for more than a couple of decades, this recording materialized as a musical homecoming. “Both B-3 stylist and student, serious jazz scholar and glitzy entertainer, Charette is a burning soloist who understands the tradition of the Hammond B-3 as well its future—just as certainly as he understands his place in that lineage.” (Ken Micallef Downbeat Magazine) 180g Audiophile Vinyl

Brin Charette is an organ player who has deeply studied the tradition of the instrument and the legends that came before him, yet is constantly pushing the envelope of the instrument's role in modern jazz. This new album, his 20th as a leader, sees Brian focussing on originals inspired by the classic role of the Hammond B3 in jazz & some of it's originators, including Larry Young and Jimmy Smith.

Aaron Cohen of DownBeat observed, “Organist Brian Charette may never know how to stick to any kind of routine” while reviewing Charette’s second sextette album The Questions That Drive Us (SCCD31784). Maybe so but Charette certainly knows how to keep his unique sextette tradition going. One of the top organists of his generation Brian Charette approaches his instrument in most imaginative way. His now-celebrated Sextette is arguably the best example of his inventiveness. Here again on their third album the woodwind and brass section of 4 led by Charette demonstrates their power to move the air. “…the winsome logic of Charette’s constructions and the merits of his well-rehearsed band serve as persuasive catalysts for positive consensus.” (Derek Taylor – Dusted Magazine on SCCD 31784)

Six years ago when Brian Charette’s first solo Hammond B3 organ album “Borderline” SCCD 31756 was released, it prompted Derek Tayler of Dusted Review to comment, “An hour-long recital on solo Hammond B3 organ might be a hard sell in certain circles, but Brian Charette makes a strong case for the viability of the venture on Borderline.” It received not only the critical acclaims but also became an unlikely cult hit among the American baseball-stadium organists. Here on this follow-up solo disc Charette revisits handful of his original tunes from earlier releases, expands their borders to give them new and exciting verve. “The great strength of the disc is Charette’s far and wide reach into diverse material without falling into focus-less mess… Borderline is a highly recommendable for those who have special interest in Hammond organ.” (Niels Overgård – JazzSpecial on SCCD 31756 Borderline)

Big G as in George Coleman, Sr. The legendary tenor saxophonist is the featured artist here on Brian Charette’s new album. George Coleman is the recipient of 2015 NEA (The National Endowment for the Arts) Jazz Masters Awards, the highest honor USA gives to jazz musician. For B-3’s most adventurous and talented practitioner Brian Charette who has known the Coleman father and son for more than a couple of decades, this recording materialized as a musical homecoming. “Both B-3 stylist and student, serious jazz scholar and glitzy entertainer, Charette is a burning soloist who understands the tradition of the Hammond B-3 as well its future—just as certainly as he understands his place in that lineage.” (Ken Micallef Downbeat Magazine)

One of New York’s (or rather World’s) top Hammond Organ players Brian Charette has kept us in anticipation of something new every time he goes into recording studios. His unique approach has deepened and expanded the boundaries of music that B-3 organ can create. Here again for his sixth release on SteepleChase Brian opted for a somewhat unusual Organ-Piano trio format with repertoire of traditional materials dotted with experimental treatments conjuring up a compelling middle ground between past and future. “Brian Charette has emerged as one of the top organists of his generation because of a fresh approach to his instrument, drawing from musical influences around the world with often surprising results.” (Ken Dryden – New York City Jazz Records on “The Questions That Drives Us” SCCD 31784)

Brian Charette’s unique, reed-based sextet released their first album “Music For Organ Sextette” (SCCD 31731) in 2012 to a critical and public acclaim. Dan Bilawsky noted in AAJ : “…On Music For Organ Sextette, Charette weaves a unique and gripping aural tapestry together with a mélange of woodwinds serving as the thread. He channels his energy into creating constructs that benefit from the blending of multiple voices ... Music For Organ Sextette is an anomaly in the world of organ-centric jazz … Charette challenges the status quo with this one and winds up the victor in every way.” On this second outing of the Sextet Brian Charette even furthers and deepens his musical universe making this sextet a perfect and permanent formula for its creative founder.

While his previous release “Music For Organ Sextette” (SCCD 31731) is still enjoying superlative receptions by the critics and public alike for its most personal and innovative approach to Hammond B3 organ in a relatively large ensemble, Brian Charette emerges here with an intriguing collection of solo B3 performances filled with compelling and creative surprises to push the boundary of the instrument even further. “Brian Charette is out to prove that the Hammond B3 ain't just for flexing your funk chops…." (Shaun Brady – DownBeat on Music For Organ Sextette) “…Charette weaves a unique and gripping aural tapestry together with a mélange of woodwinds serving as the thread. He channels his energy into creating constructs that benefit from the blending of multiple voices, yet remain flexible enough to allow for outspoken soloists to have their say. ..” Dan Bilawsky – AllAboutJazz on Music For Organ Sextette)

Brian Charette, one of the most innovative B3 organists today presents here his daring and exciting project departing from the traditional organ jazz approach. With “the sound of a reed choir plus organ” in mind Charette wrote challenging and dazzling original material for this special band and took the art of jazz organ to a new height. “Reliably smoking B3 player” (Bill Milkowski – JazzTimes)

Brian Charette, hailed as the best of the new breed of B3 players” (Bill Milkowski of JazzTimes) brings here a new trio format with Mike DiRubbo on alto saxophone for his second outing for the label. Charette’s SteepleChase debut album “Upside” (SCCD 31678) met enthusiastic acclaims. Among others, “… he does have something valuable to say as evidenced by the pleasures and strengths indicative to this debut “ (Derek Taylor – Master of A Small House)

Organist/pianist/composer Brian Charette (b. Nov. 24, 1972 in Meriden, Connecticut, USA) is the latest addition to the SteepleChase recording artist rostar. Charette moved to New York 15 years ago and has firmly established himself on the NY jazz scene being discribed as one of “the best of the new breed of B3 players” by Bill Milkowski of JazzTimes. His enormous talent both as performer and as composer is evident throughout this brilliant debut album.