martin k. petersen

biography

Montreal-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.

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 recordings.

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 or Hans Verhoeven on drums and Martin K. Petersen on Hammond organ.

shows

upcoming shows

Thursday, July 2nd 2009. 7pm: Certified Organic Jazz Quartet at The Festival International de Jazz de Montreal. CBC/Radio-Canada stage, corner of Sainte-Catherine & Jeanne-Mance. Vincent Stephen-Ong on sax, Cordell Henebury on guitar, Hans Verhoeven on drums and Martin K. Petersen at the organ. Free.
Friday, July 3rd 2009 & Saturday, July 4th. 8:30pm: Walk on the Wild Side - The Music of Jimmy Smith featuring Vanessa Rodrigues, Martin K. Petersen and The Cellar Jazz Orchestra with Corey Weeds, Steve Kaldestad, Chad Makela, Chris David, Brad Turner, Derry Byrne, Hugh Fraser, Steve Denroche, Brad Muirhead, Bill Coon, Paul Rushka and Jesse Cahill. The Cellar, Vancouver, Canada.
Saturday, July 4th. 2:00pm: Walk on the Wild Side - The Music of Jimmy Smith featuring Vanessa Rodrigues, Martin K. Petersen and The Cellar Jazz Orchestra with Corey Weeds, Steve Kaldestad, Chad Makela, Chris David, Brad Turner, Derry Byrne, Hugh Fraser, Steve Denroche, Brad Muirhead, Bill Coon, Paul Rushka and Jesse Cahill. Vancouver International Jazz Festival, David Lam Park, Vancouver, Canada. Free.
Monday July 6th -- Sunday July 12th. 10:30pm: The 8th Annual Jazz Organ Jam during the Montreal Jazz Festival. Hosted by Vanessa Rodrigues Trio & Martin K. Petersen Quartet (alternating nights). Brutopia, 1219 Crescent, Montreal.

memorable shows: CBC 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