Firmly grounded in that mellow sound made famous by Jimmy Smith and Wes Montgomery, the group stretches the musical boundaries by putting a fresh face on some tunes you thought you knew well. The trio weaves its synergy around a familiar repertoire of jazz standards and pop tunes, and opens up new avenues with some spicy original arrangements. From mainstream jazz by artists like Miles Davis, Jimmy Smith, Freddie Hubbard and George Benson to modern renditions of popular 60s and 70s tunes, the John Shultz Organization swings, moans and drives, teasing and coaxing new life into classic music, all built around an insistent groove.
John Shultz has played organ coast to coast in clubs, concerts, studios and festivals for over three decades. Since his studies at the University of Northern Iowa, the Berklee College of Music and the Boston School of Electronic Music, his career as a composer, arranger, producer and performer has found him in his own studio, major arenas, flatbed trucks, restaurants and jazz clubs. Through it all, he has carried his love of the rich legacy of the jazz organ. "The organ trio setting provides the perfect balance of musical freedom and responsibility. Working with talented and intuitive players like Bob and Erick keeps me firmly grounded, but always on my toes.", says Shultz. "Jazz is like a simultaneous dialogue, where the players all talk at once. I'm fortunate to have good friends who can both play fluently and listen intently at the same time, and that has made this group a challenge and a joy for me."
The John Shultz Organization is a three-piece band, with John playing organ and keyboard bass along with a guitarist and a drummer. The band's guitar chair is occupied by Bob Dunn, who teaches guitar at the University of Northern Iowa and Grinnell College. Bob is a stylistic chameleon, as comfortable in the pop, blues and rock idioms as he is playing jazz, and he brings that great flexibility and depth to the Organization. Behind the drum kit you'll find Erick Thompson, whose background includes studies at the New England Conservatory of Music and some years of tenure on the New York jazz scene.
The trio's music, while rehearsed, is always unique and made-to-order, tailored to the venue and circumstances. The John Shultz Organization takes a fresh look at the jazz idiom, and offers a fun and accessible listening experience.
For booking information or other inquiries, please email , or call (319) 350-3124.
To see a complete schedule of appearances for the John Shultz Organization, please visit the events calendar at johnshultz.org