The Soul City 3

3 is definitely a magic number. When we use the phrase "organ trio", we aren't just referring to specific instrumentation. We're referring to the great tradition of organ trio music, funky records, and the culture surrounding these things.

Instrumentation and Tradition

In its purest form, we're talking about a Hammond organ run through a Leslie speaker, a semi-hollow body guitar ran directly to a tube amplifier without effects, and a minimal drum kit tuned high and resonant like the classic jazz records. These are constraints held to by fans of, and musicians within the genre. It's this challenge to be as creative as possible while working within these constraints that makes for some of the most interesting and impactful art.

Example: The Soul City 3

Jackson, Mississippi's The Soul City 3 are a perfect example of this. While they are faithful to the classic tradition of soul-jazz organ trio music, they are also uniquely and simultaneously very Mississippi.

Dynamic Trio Members

The trio of Tyler Kemp, Denny Burkes and Tim Avalon bursts onto the scene in bold fashion. They give a nod to purists of the organ trio genre with their funky minimalist arrangements of deep cut covers. But it's Kemp's original compositions that combine the best traditions of Mississippi roots music with a unique post-modern soul flair.

Musical Fusion and Experience

Playing this mix of original and cover material, they create a vibe which is like chicken and waffles; crazy on paper, but perfect in its actualization.