Groovekeepers – New CD release

CONCERT IS CANCELLED

After 20 years of professional and personal friendship, organist Jan Korinek and saxophone player Osian Roberts decided to make an all-original record, together with another UK soulmate, drummer Ben Hague, completing the groove triangle. Their band Groovekeepers loosely follows the vibe of their previous album BlackTown Sessions: Vol. 1 with Najponk on electric piano. The new record contains exclusively new material, created by all three members together, with the influence of blues and soul-jazz greats such as Jimmy McGriff, Milt Buckner, Wild Bill Davis, Jack McDuff, Jimmy Smith, Lou Donaldson, Arnett Cobb, Stanley Turrentine, Buddy Tate, etc.  Jan Korinek is a multi-instrumentalist, composer and producer based in Prague. His biggest passion is blues music and genres connected to Blues-Soul, Gospel, Funk and Jazz. Other than Groovekeepers, his main projects at this time are the Sweet Emma Band with Chicago gospel-jazz singer Chanda Rule, musical director of the swing band Organ Grinders and founder of organ quartet with guitar player-singer Chris Cain. His past work includes cooperation with George Freeman, Kirk Lightsey, Lorenzo Thompson, Carlos Johnson and many others. Since embarking on a career as a professional saxophonist in his teens, Osian Roberts has performed in over twenty five countries, gaining experience with such jazz giants as Cedar Walton, George Mraz, Peter Ind, Hod O'Brien, Kirk Lightsey and Peter Washington, and developing in the process a unique voice on his instrument that is firmly rooted in the bebop and blues tradition. Osian is also running his own record label, Hard Bop Records based in the UK.

Ben Hague has been associated with the Prague jazz scene as a guest drummer with various Czech jazz groups for over ten years, focusing on bop, swing, blues and straight-ahead styles. He has guested with leading players including Osian Roberts, Jan Kořinek, Dušo Baroš, Ondřej Štveráček, Lorenzo Thompson, Alice Bauer and Steve Walsh. He now leads a Prague-based bop sextet specializing in 1940s and 50s bebop and hard bop, The "Bohemia After Dark" project.

Jan Kořínek – Hammond Organ; Osian Roberts – tenor saxophone; Ben Hague – dr.

Admission: seating CZK 270, standing CZK 170. There is no need to reserve a seat when purchasing a seating ticket.

Band website: www.jankorinek.org