United Hammond Jazz Quartet – Live at ‘De Witte’

It has become common practice now: jazz concerts, recorded live on cd by O.A.P. Records, right in the centre of The Hague at the splendid location of what is officially known as “The Nieuwe of Littéraire Sociëteit De Witte”, a private club founded in 1782 and generally referred to as ‘De Witte’.

In 2018 it was saxophone legend Scott Hamilton and company who were invited by the Jazz Table and this time Mike LeDonne, one of the leading Hammond B3 organ players in the world and master alto saxophonist Vincent Herring supported by two of Holland’s finest jazz musicians, Martien Oster on guitar and Hans Braber on drums, appeared in “De Witte” on Monday April 8th 2019 as part of their “That Feeling” tour.

A quick decision was made when on the eve of a tour through The Netherlands and Germany it appeared that Mike LeDonne on Hammond B3 and alto saxophonist Vincent Herring were interested in performing and recording at De Witte.
Accompanied by Dutch guitarist Martien Oster and drummer Hans Braber these two famous Americans gave an inspiring and eventful concert for an enthusiastic audience on April 8th.
The characteristic, funky and soulful sound of Mike’s Hammond B3 joined by the crisp and versatile playing of Vincent on alto saxophone interspersed with well chosen solos by Martien on guitar and supported by solid drumming of Hans made this a truly united Dutch – American performance.
Two sets were played full of variation with two compositions by Mike LeDonne himself inspired by hammond heavy weights such as Jimmy Smith, Richard “Groove” Holmes and “Brother” Jack McDuff and also compositions or arrangements by Stevie Wonder, Natalie Cole and Sammy Davis jr.