Soul Message Band

Description

Soul Message Band: A soulful and infectious style crafted around classic organ grooves, and rooted in the tradition of great Hammond B3 organists like Jimmy Smith, Jimmy McGriff, Charles Earland, Jack McDuff, and "Groove" Holmes.
SMB is founded on the enduring partnership of Chris Foreman, the Chicago-based and nationally celebrated Hammond B3 Jazz Organist, and the always solid drummer, Greg Rockingham, aka "The Rock." Greg and Chris have a 25-year history of collaboration, including groups like the Deep Blue Organ Trio. Mr. Rockingham and Mr. Foreman have an unmistakable chemistry that has taken them from Chicago to Jazz Clubs and Arenas around the world as both headliners and as an opening group for Steely Dan.
The band adds Chicago veteran guitarist, Lee Rothenberg on guitar.

Work Sample

These Are Soulful Days, 2019, 9:40, from the album Soul Message Band, Soulful Days on Delmark Records, written by Cal Massey. This is a studio recording of the band with Chris Foreman on Hammond B3 Organ, Lee Rothenberg on Guitar, Geof Bradfield on Tenor Saxophone, and Greg Rockingham on Drums. It is a medium tempo jazz arrangement in a minor key that illustrates the groups focus on the B3 jazz organ group tradition. Although it is a jazz tune, it also has elements of the blues.

Each of these samples are drawn from our recorded albums. The first and third samples are taken from studio albums while the second showcases the band in a purely live and unedited format. They also represent the band at various different time periods, from the early stages to the most current and highlight how the group continues to hone and develop their sound.

History

Blind Organist Chris Foreman and Greg Rockingham together make a legendary organ/drum partnership with over 35 years of performing together in groups such as The Deep Blue Organ Trio, and Organ Express. This ensemble, with the addition of Lee Rothenberg on guitar, have performed all over the country , and have been featured at the 2016 and 2019 Chicago jazz festival. They currently have a Sunday night residency at legendary Chicago jazz club , The Green Mill. The group has four albums under their name Soulful Days (Delmark Records, 2019), Live at Blue LLama (Blue Llama Records, 2021) and Hinda Hoffman Meets Soul Message, People (Know You Know Records, 2022). They are working on a fourth record with renowned Chicago blues singer , Jimmy Burns.

Artistic Vision

Our vision is to continue to develop and showcase the B3 jazz organ tradition, an African American art form. We draw influences from the B3 organ masters as well as Chicago's deep tradition of blues and soul. Our records and live performances are curated and presented in a way to connect with the listener on a human level. We hope that our music draws together people different races, cultural backgrounds and ethnicities.

Programs for Specific Audience(s) Expertise

We have experience performing in various schools from pre-k through the college level. We have done demonstrations for kindergartners as well as created clinics and orchestrated performances for middle school jazz bands during a 2 week residency in Steamboat Springs, CO. Our organist, Chris Foreman is blind and has experience creating performances and demonstrations for the visually impaired.