Danish saxophonist Michael Blicher and Hammond organist Dan Hemmer and legendary US drummer Steve Gadd form the soul-jazz trio Blicher Hemmer Gadd. The group has added a second Glasgow date to a short UK visit in early September.
Steve Gadd, who has made instantly recognisable contributions to recordings by Chick Corea and Steely Dan as well as pop hits by Paul Simon, Bill Withers and Rickie Lee Jones, will now appear with the trio at the Mackintosh Church in Glasgow on Friday 1 and Saturday 2 September before playing at the Southbank Bar in Nottingham on Sunday 3 September.
The drummer returns to the UK in November for a Ronnie Scott’s residency with his quintet during EFG London Jazz Festival.
These all present more intimate prospects of seeing and hearing Gadd compared to the stadia and large concert halls that he plays when touring with Eric Clapton and James Taylor.
“For us it’s always great just to play,” says saxophonist Michael Blicher. “But we don’t take it for granted because we know that, for the audience, these gigs will be a chance to experience one of the world’s most innovative drummers demonstrating his incredible talent close up.”
Blicher met Gadd just over ten years ago through an event staged by the Jazz Danmark organisation. The two musicians bonded immediately through their love of soulful music. Blicher’s influences run from Bulgarian folk singing to the folkloric music of Mali, Mississippi, New Orleans and Cuba and shortly after they met Gadd agreed to go on tour with Blicher and his friend, Hammond organist Dan Hemmer. They’ve now played more than fifty concerts across the world, fitting in engagements with Blicher Hemmer Gadd between their star drummer’s touring commitments with Clapton and Taylor.
“Playing with Steve is a dream come true for Dan and myself,” Blicher adds. “Steve loves the directness of the soul-jazz style. It’s bluesy and the Hammond organ gives it a warm sound that appeals to people on a basic, natural level.”
The September gigs coincide with the release date of the trio’s fourth album, It Will Be Alright, much of which was recorded on their previous tour and captures the sound they create onstage in their favoured club environment.
“The music we play in Blicher Hemmer Gadd is a style of music that I’m passionate about,” says Gadd. “It’s honest music. No-one plays like this anymore.”
