Little Daddy’s Blues

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In the Jazz Organ world…

…it is fair for me to say that we all are striving to perfect our skills as players, listeners, band mates et al. It’s a life long yearning to be the best we can be while we spend countless hours listening to what other organists are playing, practicing to perfect what we heard, and then playing a million gigs as we sharpen and mold ourselves to gain the title “Jazz Organist”

All instruments have their challenges for sure, but the Hammond organist who plays from such traditions as Jimmy Smith, Don Patterson, Larry Young Jr., Jimmy McGriff, Jack McDuff , Groove Holmes … have to not only learn to play lead lines and solos, but must fully understand music! Organists are expected to play bass lines, comp behind soloists, solo and play melodies and harmonies along with command the very dynamical Mighty Hammond with a flair that turns it into the magical music form we love.

In addition, the organist has got to swing. On this recording, I’m proud to introduce you to a great devoted musician who in my book has gained that very title: “Jazz Organist”!

Ladies and Gentleman: Mr…..George Kontrafouris.

George was born in Athens Greece

in 1967 where he spent his early days studying classical piano at the National Conservatory where in 1989 he gained his diploma. Looking through George’s biography and detailed resume and education, one would see real quickly that George is a lifer for sure.

In 1989 he turned his interests to Jazz music where he changed his course. I first met George through an email where he was interested in some of my educational material. I asked if he had any recordings of his playing and he sent me a few mp3s to listen to of a live performance. As I listened, I couldn’t help say to myself, “ what’s this cat gonna learn from me?” But then again his eagerness to learn and explore his talents is what makes George such a great organist and obviously a welcome member of the “Chicken Coup”.

On “Little Daddy’s Blues”,

George is joined by a really great group of musicians: Manual Dunkel on Tenor Sax, Sami Linna on Guitar, and Jussi Lehtonen on Drums.

George even goes back to his Piano roots on “Heatin’ E” (track 8). Bongo Bob joins also on the opening track “The Ruler” and then again on “Heatin’ E”. These band mates are a great mix for the wide talents of George’s playing skills and style selections.

The selections begin with a lively Calypso as the whole group brings in “The Ruler”. Right away you’ll feel the band groove with George leading the way on his B3! On “The Notebook”, the trio plays a nice lively tune in ¾. On track three George plays the beautiful original ballad “Teenie’s World.” Then, the band breaks into a really swinging shuffle original “Shuffle of Changes” reminiscent of the good old chitlin days! On track five, George writes and records a Jack McDuff/Red Holloway-like original called “Invisible Heating Machine”. Here again you’ll feel like your listening to a classic recording taken right out of a club in Harlem in the early ‘60s. On track six George plays his very own “V Blues” where he shows he’s been doing his homework as his soloing takes you through a very Larry-Youngish style yet still keeps his sound very much integrated throughout. Then, the band again heats things up with a very pretty and open “For the Music”, where there is some really great interplay between the whole band. Finally George closes this session with his very Funky “Heatin’ E”. On this last tune, the band is rejoined with Bongo Bob as George moves over to play some piano too!

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I hope you enjoy this great new addition to the “Chicken Coup”. I believe that you’ll fall in love with George Kontrafouris’s music and great band as quickly as I did.

Maestro Giorgio, I wish you all the success in the world and I hope this is just the beginning of a well-deserved wonderful career!

God Bless,
Tony Monaco

1. The Ruler (Jussi Lehtonen)
2. For The Music (Tim Hagans)
3. The Shuffle of Changes (G.Kontrafouris)
4. Teenie’s World (G.Kontrafouris)
5. Heatin’ E (G.Kontrafouris)
6. The Notebook (G.Kontrafouris)
7. Invisible Heating Machine (G.Kontrafouris)
8. V Blues (G.Kontrafouris)

George Kontrafouris: Hammond Organ and (piano on track 8)
Manual Dunkel: Tenor Sax
Sami Linna: Guitar
Jussi Lehtonen: Drums
Bongo Bob : Percussion (tracks 1 & 8)

Recorded and Mixed by Tommi Vainkainen
Recorded June 27th, 2006 at Finnvox, Helsinki - Finland
Mixed September 2, 2006 at Musik Makers, Helsinki - Finland
Mastered November 3rd, 2006 Columbus Sound, Galena, Ohio USA
Producers” George Kontrafouris
Executive Producers Tony Monaco & DC2S

Special thanks to Manu, Sami, Jussi for their wonderful energy. Thanks to Jari Perkiomaki, Jukkis Uotila, Tim Hagans, Wade Mikkola, Eero Koivistoinen, Jarno Kukkonen, Timo Lassy, MBO (Valtteri Poyhonen and Ville Pynssi). Thanks to Kyriaki and Fotis Kontrafouris. Very special thanks to my other half Katerina.

BACK:

In the Jazz Organ world…

…it is fair for me to say that we all are striving to perfect our skills as players, listeners, and band mates. It’s a life long yearning to be the best we can be while we spend countless hours listening to what other organists are playing, practicing to perfect what we heard, and then playing a million gigs as we sharpen and mold ourselves to gain the title “Jazz Organist”

On this recording, I’m proud to introduce you to a great devoted musician who in my book has gained that very title: “Jazz Organist”!

Ladies and Gentleman: Mr. George Kontrafouris.

-Tony Monaco

1. 6:57 The Ruler (Jussi Lehtonen)
2. 6:35 For The Music (Tim Hagans)
3. 6:33 The Shuffle of Changes (G.Kontrafouris)
4. 5:54 Teenie’s World (G.Kontrafouris)
5. 4:52 Heatin’ E (G.Kontrafouris)
6. 6:53 The Notebook (G.Kontrafouris)
7. 9:35 Invisible Heating Machine (G.Kontrafouris)
8. 7:06 V Blues (G.Kontrafouris)

George Kontrafouris: Hammond Organ and (piano on track 8)
Manual Dunkel: Tenor Sax
Sami Linna: Guitar
Jussi Lehtonen: Drums
Bongo Bob : Percussion (tracks 1 & 8)