The Forster Hammond Trio
Grooving Hammond Organ Jazz.
Guitar - James Forster, Organ - Ruth Hammond, Drums - Scott Hammond.
Biography
Formed in August 1998, this youthful trio excels at laying down those scorching Hammond organ grooves from the sixties and seventies with a modern twist. Influenced by the likes of Jimmy Smith, Jack McDuff and Larry Goldings, the tunes range from soulful ballads to a strong funky vibe.
James Forster, the trio's guitarist, is active on the Bristol music scene fronting his blues band The Forster-King Band. James is a versatile musician with elements of rhythm and blues, jazz and funk in his playing. Initially self-taught, he went on to study with guitarist Mike Walker. James lists Wes Montgomery, Grant Green, Peter Bernstein and Jim Hall among his influences.
James teams up with organist Ruth Hammond and drummer Scott Hammond, the husband and wife team whose surname is synonymous with the classic organ. Scott has worked with many different bands all over the country. Able to swing or groove with the best of them, he has played with New York's alto saxophonist Herb Geller, London's top saxophonists Dave O'Higgins, Bobby Wellins and Alan Barnes. At the other end of the spectrum Scott gigs with eighties pop star Limahl of Kajagoogoo fame.
James Forster, the trio's guitarist, is active on the Bristol music scene fronting his blues band The Forster-King Band. James is a versatile musician with elements of rhythm and blues, jazz and funk in his playing. Initially self-taught, he went on to study with guitarist Mike Walker. James lists Wes Montgomery, Grant Green, Peter Bernstein and Jim Hall among his influences.
James teams up with organist Ruth Hammond and drummer Scott Hammond, the husband and wife team whose surname is synonymous with the classic organ. Scott has worked with many different bands all over the country. Able to swing or groove with the best of them, he has played with New York's alto saxophonist Herb Geller, London's top saxophonists Dave O'Higgins, Bobby Wellins and Alan Barnes. At the other end of the spectrum Scott gigs with eighties pop star Limahl of Kajagoogoo fame.
Ruth and Scott have both studied at Leeds College of Music gaining a B.A. in jazz studies. Ruth came runner up in The Young Jazz Musician of the Year 1998 and has played a week long residency at Ronnie Scotts Jazz Club (London). Also an accomplished saxophonist, she was awarded two prizes on leaving college: Top saxophonist and Most outstanding performer. More recently Ruth has been a member of NYJO (The National Youth Jazz Orchestra), appeared several times on T.V. and was interviewed on Radio 4's Womans Hour as a representative of up and coming female musicians.
Ruth has also been playing regularly with Morcheeba; gigs have included Glastonbury Festival, Shepherds Bush Empire (London) and TVs Later with Jools Holland. More recently, Ruth has been gigging and recording with 'Ilya' - and recently released her debut album of her own songs, 'All the good things'
The Forster-Hammond Trio has built up a significant following and performs nationally including an appearance at the Birmingham International Jazz Festival (1999), Manchester Jazz Festival (2001) and London's Jazz Café (Camden).
Ruth has also been playing regularly with Morcheeba; gigs have included Glastonbury Festival, Shepherds Bush Empire (London) and TVs Later with Jools Holland. More recently, Ruth has been gigging and recording with 'Ilya' - and recently released her debut album of her own songs, 'All the good things'
The Forster-Hammond Trio has built up a significant following and performs nationally including an appearance at the Birmingham International Jazz Festival (1999), Manchester Jazz Festival (2001) and London's Jazz Café (Camden).