martin k. petersen

biography

Montréal-based musician Martin K. Petersen was born and raised in Denmark. He started out playing xylophone in the school band and later switched to keyboards. Having no instrument at home, Martin got up and went to school early every morning to practice on the piano before class started. Later, he took an afternoon job as bike courier so he could rent a keyboard and practice at home.

Over the years Martin performed in several musicals at Svendborg Theatre including Godspell and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and he played keyboards in the Danish rock/blues band The Overheads.

It was at an Overheads performance that Martin first got exposed to Hammond organs. He was instantly sold and started listening to players such as Al Kooper, Lee Michaels and Van Morrison's organ player Georgie Fame. The latter bridged the gap between blues and jazz which became Martin's main focus.

In 2000 a work opportunity caused Martin to move to Ottawa in Canada. Once settled on Canadian soil, Martin bought a real Hammond and started pursuing his passion for jazz organ, listening to players such as Jimmy McGriff, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Jack McDuff and Jimmy Smith. To this day Martin's principal source of inspiration is the early Blue Note organ records.

Martin is also known as the world's first Hammond cyclist.

bands

certified organic jazz quartet: Soulful group playing music from the traditional jazz organ bag. Featuring Cordell Henebury on guitar, Vincent Stephen-Ong on alto sax, Thierry Arsenault on drums and Martin K. Petersen on Hammond organ.

shows

past shows: Jimmy Smith Tribute • collection of gig photographs

mp3 clips

certified organic jazz quartet: 2nd Line Sally • Don't Think Twice • I Thought About You • Jazz Message • Jimmy's Bag • Organ Grinder Swing • Road Song

credits & copyrights

jazz conspirators

hammond organists: Vanessa Rodrigues • Dr. Lonnie Smith • Kevin Dean
saxophonists: Vincent Stephen-Ong • Joel Miller • Christine Jensen
guitarists: Cordell Henebury • Mike Rud • Joshua Walker • Simon Angell
bassists: Ross Macdonald
drummers: Thierry Arsenault

contact information