Joey DeFrancesco

Joey DeFrancesco’s emergence in the 1980s marked the onset of a musical renaissance in organ jazz with the sound of his vintage Hammond organ and Leslie tone cabinet. Considered a child prodigy, Joey inherited from his father and grandfather the gift of the musician’s musician: being able to pick up a new instrument and teach himself to play. This manifests itself in Joey’s extraordinary keyboard skills; piano playing; and organ wizardry – not to mention his undeniable mastery of the trumpet.

Joey’s desire to play the trumpet began after touring with the great Miles Davis. Years later, it would be Joey who would be complimenting his own jazz organ performances with exciting bursts of trumpet tones in the notably influenced style of his former employer. The list of established musicians who felt inspired to perform with Joey grew. At twenty-two, Joey was called upon by guitarist, John McLaughlin to form the group, ‘Free Spirits’ which included band member Dennis Chambers. This band toured extensively for four years as the sphere of Joey’s influence went global. Joey soon became a household name in the jazz world as he began to tour internationally with his own quartet and eventually trim his group to a trio that boasted the guitar work of Paul Bollenback and drumming of Byron ‘Wookie’ Landrum. This trio would become the longest running organ trio in modern times.

Joey is a three time Grammy Nominee: In 2004 for his record ‘Falling In Love Again’, in 2010 for his release titled ‘Never Can Say Goodbye’, and, again, in 2015 for “Enjoy the View”. He is the winner of Down Beat Magazine’s Critic’s poll 2002-2008, 2012, 2014,2015 as well as the magazines Reader’s Poll every year since 2005. In 2014 he was inducted into the inaugural Hammond Organ Hall of Fame.