By Virginia DeBerry
The Radam Schwartz Quartet
Thursday January 20
7.30PM n 10.30PM
at
MAKEDA
338 George Street, New Brunswick, NJ
Radam Schwartz n Hammond B3 Organ
No Cover
Over Twenty-five Years of Groove
From a Master of the Hammond B3 Organ
Radam Schwartz has built his reputation playing with such great musicians as Arthur and Red Prysock, Eddie Lockjaw Davis, Al Hibler, and Jimmy Ford. He continues to make music history today playing with renowned artists Cecil Brooks III, Russell Malone, and David Fathead Newman. Radam’s own band, Conspiracy for Positivity, offers a fresh, original jazz sound and brings youth and experience to the bandstand.
Radam has worked consistently to maintain the strong live traditions of the music as well as bridge the gap between the generations. Since 1986, he has been hosting the Tuesday Night Jazz Jam, beginning at the famous Peppermint Lounge in Orange, NJ, and in 1997 when the Mint closed its doors, moving to the Crossroads in Garwood, NJ. Renowned musicians and novices alike followed the Jam trio of Radam Schwartz on organ, Geary Moore on guitar, and Don Williams on drums. Over the years, famous musicians like Etta Jones, Rhoda Scott, Jimmy McGriff, and Roy Ayers have all enjoyed playing at the Jazz Jam. George Benson was quoted in the Star-Ledger as saying he goes to the Jam sessions just because he loves to play with Radam.
In addition to forging a career as an organist and pianist, Radam has committed over 15 years to Jazz education. As musical director of the Jazz Institute of New Jersey, he directs the youth ensemble and teaches improvisation to young musicians from 8 to 19 years old. Many of Radam’s students have themselves gone on to play with luminaries such as Herbie Hancock, Betty Carter, the Duke Ellington Orchestra, the Maria Schneider Orchestra, T.S. Monk, and more. Radam’s prolific career has led to many successful recordings. His own, Organized(Muse Records) was mentioned in the B3 Bible as one of the essential organ records of all time.
“One of the finest organists of our time…” ~eJazzNews

