Greg Hatza ORGANisation live streaming from Keystone Korner - Dec. 19 (through Christmas)

Greg Hatza (organ); Brian Kooken (guitar); Benny Russell (tenor sax); Robert Shahid (drums) 

Keystone Korner in San Francisco hosted performances by some of the all time greats, releasing countless celebrated 'live' albums along the way (Art Blakey, Dexter Gordon, Roland Kirk, Sonny Stitt et al). Over in Baltimore, Maryland its less illustrious namesake isn't doing too badly with a schedule of top class performers stretching into next year. 

Greg Hatza was just a 'name' to me no more, the classic organ-led line-up appealed, and for the modest charge of $11.80., it was worth a punt signing up to this year-end live stream. Hatza first recorded in the late sixties in the company of Eric Gale and Grady Tate, in the seventies focussing on keyboards until hearing Joey DeFrancesco in the nineties which prompted a return to the organ, since when the ORGANisation has been a preoccupation. 

Hatza's band mates - Brian Kooken, guitar, Benny Russell, tenor sax, Robert Shahid, drums - proved to be a well-oiled working unit. Hatza's Baltimore Strut opened the set and two of the following three numbers were also originals - From Me to You and a funky-fuelled Stinky. The familiar tune, What Child is This? (the Greensleeves melody), featured tenor saxophonist Benny Russell in turbo-charged mode, likewise guitarist Kooken shredding with more than a hint of seventies-style fusion to his playing.

The Masquerade is Over (stock tenor sax phrases, no bad thing!), McGriff's Blues swung as it should, Matza, Kooken and Russell soloing, Shahid busy covering all bases. As it's the time of year few would begrudge God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, especially as Russell blew some old-school tenor. A couple of blues to close in the vein of Jimmys McGriff and Smith and a touch of Ray Charles. Some ninety five minutes later the Greg Hatzma ORGANisation went out on Santa Claus is Comin' to Town.  

Russell