Beats, Pixels, and Blue Notes: Progressive electronic 'organic' jazz
The New Hammond Sound Project is a collaboration between Carlo de Wijs (Europe's most innovative Hammond organist), Jordi Geuens (Selah Sue, Postmen a.o.), video artist Job van Nuenen and sound designer Theo Janssen.
In this project, Modular Hammond, Hybrid Drums, and Responsive Visuals all come together. Through extensive use of technology, the musicians challenge the borders of the traditional sound of both the Hammond and the drums, and pave the way to new musical worlds.
On stage you see the B3 Modular Hammond: Carlo’s technological innovation based on a vintage tone wheel Hammond. Like a pilot in his cockpit, Carlo’s entire body dashes from one knob to another. Behind his customized drums, Jordi lays down his modern, tight grooves. Over their shoulders there’s a shooting of rays of extravagant light created by Job.
Together they create explosions of sound, spaced-out grooves and soulful tunes. The music has incredible range: from deep bass and eerie tranquil sounds, to Baptist church, to electronic beeps.
I’m proud is based on an edited promotional talk by the Hammond Company in the 1950s. NHSP combines the history of the Hammond Organ with new technology. We’re do our best to shape the future of Hammond music & art and we’re proud of it!
“The Hammond organ has its traditional sound, which we all love, but it has become so much more since Carlo has created the modular Hammond, based on tradition and the tone wheel, and expanded to include digital and analog technology, enabling real time expression and new sounds. NHSP’s music is full of emotion, invention, and energy. He brings new possibilities to younger musicians as well as to veterans of the keyboard.” - Rhoda Scott *
Man & Machine
NHSP is about man & machine: human artistry and skills brought to a new dimension by real-time interplay and modern technology. The interaction between New Hammond and Hybrid Drums steers the psychedelic visuals, all together creating an immersive experience.
It’s the future and it works. Sounds fine, doesn’t it?
See the clips for the first expressions of this project and follow Carlo de Wijs on social media for more live content releases.
* At the age of 12, Carlo de Wijs heard the music of The American Hammond organist Rhoda Scott. She has inspired generations of young organists, Carlo being one of them, ever since she came to Europe in 1968 with her unique organ playing together with a drummer, stage presence and very personal style, where playing barefoot became her trademark.