Back to full Lineup

Soul Message Band

Aug 12, Saturday - 7pm
Hammer Theatre Stage

Soul Message Band is founded on the 25-year partnership of the celebrated Hammond B3 organist Chris Foreman and drummer Greg Rockingham, aka “The Rock.” The pair have an unmistakable chemistry that has taken them to venues around the world as both headliners and as an opening group for Steely Dan, now with veteran guitarist Lee Rothenberg.

Chris Foreman is a masterful musician and heir to the throne occupied by the soulful, bluesy jazz organ legends who were once his influence. Blind at birth, Foreman started playing piano at age five and began formal training at seven. As a teenager he was attracted to the organ sounds of Jack McDuff, Groove Holmes, Jimmy Smith and Jimmy McGriff. He pursued jazz on the organ through intensive study of recordings and an apprenticeship as a church organist at twenty years old, arriving at an exciting blend of blues, gospel and jazz with stunning command and range on the instrument. The blend of his sound is evident in his professional experience, which has included work with Hank Crawford, Albert Collins, Bernard Purdie, The Mighty Blue Kings and Deep Blue Organ Trio.

Drummer Greg Rockingham began playing when he was just three years old and debuted as a professional musician at age five in his father’s jazz ensemble. An alumnus of the famed Interlochen Arts Academy and Northeastern University, he has won numerous musical awards from the Notre Dame Jazz Festival. Greg has performed or recorded with a wide range of famous names, including the orchestras of Glenn Miller and Guy Lombardo, vocalists Freddie Cole, Patty Page and Jerry Vale and instrumentalists Nat Adderley, Kenny Burrell, Charles Earland, Irene Reid, Ellis Marsalis, Nancy Wilson and Deep Blue Organ Trio.

Born in Philadelphia, Lee Rothenberg started playing guitar at the age of 14 and became obsessed with jazz at age 16 after spending a summer at Interlochen Arts Camp. He moved to Evanston, IL in 2000 to attend Northwestern University where he studied with jazz pianist Mike Kocour. Since his arrival in 2005, Lee has emerged as an in-demand sideman in the Chicago jazz scene. Noted for a style that is deeply rooted in the Jazz Guitar Tradition, Lee’s playing exhibits the sacred elements of melody, swing, and creativity. He is currently working on a quartet record with legendary multi-instrumentalist Ira Sullivan that includes Dennis Carroll on bass and George Fludas on drums.

Chris Foreman is a masterful musician and heir to the throne occupied by the soulful, bluesy jazz organ legends who were once his influence. Blind at birth, Foreman started playing piano at age five and began formal training at seven. As a teenager he was attracted to the organ sounds of Jack McDuff, Groove Holmes, Jimmy Smith and Jimmy McGriff. He pursued jazz on the organ through intensive study of recordings and an apprenticeship as a church organist at twenty years old, arriving at an exciting blend of blues, gospel and jazz with stunning command and range on the instrument. The blend of his sound is evident in his professional experience, which has included work with Hank Crawford, Albert Collins, Bernard Purdie, The Mighty Blue Kings and Deep Blue Organ Trio.

Drummer Greg Rockingham began playing when he was just three years old and debuted as a professional musician at age five in his father’s jazz ensemble. An alumnus of the famed Interlochen Arts Academy and Northeastern University, he has won numerous musical awards from the Notre Dame Jazz Festival. Greg has performed or recorded with a wide range of famous names, including the orchestras of Glenn Miller and Guy Lombardo, vocalists Freddie Cole, Patty Page and Jerry Vale and instrumentalists Nat Adderley, Kenny Burrell, Charles Earland, Irene Reid, Ellis Marsalis, Nancy Wilson and Deep Blue Organ Trio.

Born in Philadelphia, Lee Rothenberg started playing guitar at the age of 14 and became obsessed with jazz at age 16 after spending a summer at Interlochen Arts Camp. He moved to Evanston, IL in 2000 to attend Northwestern University where he studied with jazz pianist Mike Kocour. Since his arrival in 2005, Lee has emerged as an in-demand sideman in the Chicago jazz scene. Noted for a style that is deeply rooted in the Jazz Guitar Tradition, Lee’s playing exhibits the sacred elements of melody, swing, and creativity. He is currently working on a quartet record with legendary multi-instrumentalist Ira Sullivan that includes Dennis Carroll on bass and George Fludas on drums.


Personnel

Chris Foreman – organ
Gregory Rockingham – drums
Lee Rothenberg – guitar

Special Thanks