ORGANIK is a new organ trio led by guitarist Deirdre Cartwright with Pete Whittaker on Organ and Gary Hammond on Congas/percussion. You'll be treated to the sounds of the classic jazz organ/guitar trios of the 1960s - Kenny Burrell/Jimmy Smith, Grant Green/Larry Young, Wes Montgomery/Melvin Rhyne, plus some original takes on the Beatles, Doors, Curtis Mayfield and Kate Bush.
Deirdre Cartwright is an award winning guitarist and composer who became well known presenting the BBC TV’s ground-breaking series 'Rockschool'. She also played with Afro Latin Jazz group The Guest Stars, recording three albums and touring in 17 countries. In 1991 she formed the Deirdre Cartwright Group which recorded five albums and played international festivals from Mexico to Warsaw. She has also written and recorded albums with the groups Emily Remembered and LUND. More recently she has toured and recorded four albums with ARQ who won Best UK jazz group in the Parliamentary Jazz Awards and British Jazz Awards in 2018. She won the public vote for Best Guitarist at the 2019 British Jazz Awards and in 2020 was awarded Services to Jazz with Blow the Fuse at the Parliamentary Jazz Awards. She also plays with Sea Change, Carol Grimes, PICNIC featuring Annie Whitehead, Electric Landladies and regularly at Ronnie Scott's in Soho. She has played with legendary guitarist Tal Farlow, studied in America with Mick Goodrick, toured with Jamaican composer Marjorie Whylie, founded Blow the Fuse with Alison Rayner in 1989 and presented on Radio 3.
Pete Whittaker became fascinated with the sound of the Hammond organ after hearing classic 1950s & 60s hard-bop records. Currently involved in projects with some of the UK’s leading musicians including Art Themen and John Etheridge.
Gary Hammond boasts a rich history of performing and recording with The Beautiful South for over a decade. His stellar career includes collaborations with Nina Simone and frequent involvement with various groups across World, Jazz, and Pop genres.