International Archives For The Jazz Organ (IAJO) - The Jazz Organ Scene The Netherlands

Carlo de Wijs

At the age of seven, Carlo sat behind an electric organ for the very first time, not realizing that this instrument would determine the rest of his future professional life. When his father played a Rhoda Scott LP five years later, he was gripped by the Hammond sound. After this, he just knew: he would become a Hammond organist.

The years following, Carlo spent most of his time behind the organ - as he still does. The Hammond organist in Carlo was shaped by a mix of many inspirations and influences. Hammond role models like Rhoda Scott, Jimmy Smith and Eddy Louiss; heroes like Quincy Jones, Stevie Wonder and Joe Zawinul; in combination with current interesting trends in electronic music, ensure his never ending quest of reinventing the artist within.

Throughout the tones of the warm Hammond sound, he developed into a musician, bandleader, cultural entrepreneur, educator, and both instrument and sound designer. Nowadays, 'scientist' can be added to this list as well. His passion and ambition cause Carlo to constantly look for seemingly complex connections between these different disciplines. "My personal drive focuses on the development of a unique instrument, sound, style of performing, of music and the creation of new structures of collaboration. Therefore, I want to realize the most personal approach possible for me as an artist." This concept is also of great importance within the Hammond community. "Hammond is a metaphor for inspiring (young) people, colleagues and enthusiasts," Carlo says. "Through Hammond, various visions and disciplines come together. This could lead to new structures in which the sharing of music, art and knowledge are key."

Carlo is working on off- and online initiatives in which innovation, sound, education, research and the Hammond community yet again come together. Examples include the New Hammond Sound Project and Hammond education-developments at Codarts. The past decades he has been performing with his own formations, including D'WYS & Voices of Soul; and as a soloist with Candy Dulfer's Funky Stuff, the Benjamin Herman Quartet, Corrie van Binsbergen, Lucas van Merwijk and the Metropole Orkest. He has been sharing the stage with internationally known artists such as Steve Lukather from TOTO, Gary Booker (Procol Harum) and Rhoda Scott. Carlo released his own albums and played on many productions, presented a special Hammond Alive section on Radio 6 and initiated HammondSongbook.com. He is currently active as a teacher and educational developer at Codarts in Rotterdam, while writing his PhD on the history and innovation of the Hammond Organ and setting up the New Hammond Sound Project with drummer Jordi Geuens. Carlo obtained his doctorate degree at the Erasmus Universiteit in June 2022.

Romantic Ballads Timeless SJP 230 released 1990 recorded June 1985	Harry Verbeke, tenor sax Carlo de Wijs, Hammond organ Hein van de Geijn, bass Arnoud Gerritse, drums
O'Beat Move Records BMMCD-287	Carlo de Wijs, organ, synthesizer Swa Mercelis, guitar Martin Bakker, guitar, bass Paul van Schaik, drums Jeroen de Rijk, drums, percussion Xandra Verkroost, vocals Simone Roerade, vocals Marlies Roerade, vocals
First Moves Move Records MR 3040 recorded 1990 in Hilversum/The Netherlands	Carlo de Wijs, Hammond B-3 organ, synthesizer Frits Bayens, conductor Tim Armacost, soprano sax, tenor sax Dick Vennik, soprano sax, tenor sax, flute Frank Vaganée, alto sax Ton Van De Geyn, baritone sax Bart Van Lier, trombone Ruud Breuls, trumpet Wim Both, trumpet Toon De Gouw, trumpet, flugelhorn Bart van Lier, trombone Henk Huizinga, bass trombone Peter Tiehuis, guitar Skip van Rooy, synthesizer Henk de Ligt, double bass Marcel Schimscheimer, bass Marcel Serierse, drums Matty de Wijs, drums, cymbal Eddie Conard, percussion Eddy Koopman, percussion, timpani Joke Hamminga, congas Meindert Velthuis, vocals Deborah Brown, vocals
Organtasy Move Records MR 3050 recorded March 1998/March 1999 in Geertruidenberg/The Netherlands	Carlo de Wijs, Hammond organ Martin Bakker, guitars Pim Dros, drums Erwin van Motman, vocals Jeroen de Rijk, percussion Simone Roerade, vocals Adriana Romijn, vocals Jozien van Dorst, vocals
Turn Up The B! Red Bullet RB 66.222 recorded May 2002 in Geertruidenberg/The Netherlands	Carlo de Wijs, Hammond organ Léon Klaasse, drums Marnix Stassen, percussion Martin Bakker, guitars Erica van de Leuv, vocals Jan van Duikeren, trumpet, flugelhorn Rolf Delfos, alto sax, tenor sax, baritone sax
New Hammond Sound Rough Trade CDW111NHS recorded July through September 2011 in Geertruidenberg/The Netherlands	Carlo de Wijs, Hammond B-3 organ, Moog bass Thomas Bank, synthesizer Leendert Haaksma, guitar Eelke Mastenbroek, guitar Roland Kool, Moog bass Michel van Schie, bass Chance Howard, Moog bass Jordi Geuens, drums Marnix Stassen, drums, percussion Voices of Soul, vocals
New Hammond Sound Project New Organ Sound Records NOSR001 recorded in Doetinchem/The Netherlands	Carlo de Wijs, modular Hammond Thomas Bank, synthesizer Jordi Geuens, hybrid drums

contact:	info@carlodewijs.com
homepage:	www.carlodewijs.com
	Click on the logo to see Carlo's tour dates.

	"Element DM", from the album "New Hammond Sound Project" 06:07 - 5,560kB
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