PAUL WAGNBERG
Organ Unit
Paul Wagnberg -- Hammond B3 Organ
Frode Kjekstad -- Guitar
Erik Nylander -- Drums
PAUL WAGNBERG ORGAN UNIT from Norway, is a hard-swinging organ jazz trio
in the Jimmy Smith tradition. In 1985 Paul moved from Sweden to Norway.
He is best known as the organ player, singer and composer in the Swedish/Norwegian
Soul jazz group The Real Thing, who made eight records and toured in Europe for fifteen years.
In 1999 Paul released his first record in his own name.
It was entitled “Eat Meat”, with New York-guitarist Randy Johnston.
Drummer was Torstein Ellingsen from Oslo, Norway.
As in the jazz organ tradition, Paul plays the foot bass on the Hammond organ bass pedals.
In February 2001, a new CD came out: “Gone Fishing” .
Now, a new member has joined the group: Frode Kjekstad.
He is a very exciting and tasteful guitar player.
Frode has a fantastic technique, and he is a very good composer, too.
As before, Torstein Ellingsen is doing the excellent drumming on this CD.
In 2005, Frode’s debut album came: “ New York Time”.
It was recorded on Manhattan, N.Y. with legendary dr. Lonnie Smith on organ,
Byron Landham on drums and sax phantom Eric Alexander.
The newest member in this combo is the drummer; Erik Nylander .
He was born in Norberg, Sweden. Started to play drums in Avesta music school.
After that, he went to Mellansels high school and Ingesunds high school.
Finished his last year of studies in Trondheim Music University, jazz class.
While studying, he has worked as a freelance musician during several years.
He plays with acts like: Ola Kvernberg trio, Kobert, Kirsti Huke quartet, Vågan quartet,
Espen Reinertsen quartet, Peloton.
Even though he is still quite young,
Erik has already performed at many Norwegian and Swedish Jazz festivals.
He also toured in Denmark, Finland, USA, India, Bangladesh, China and Gambia.
Erik has a fresh style and plays with great authority and no compromise.
Now, a new record with PWOU is coming! “Catch 22” will be released in November 2007.
It has 14 songs, most of them written by Paul and Frode.
This CD has a mix of cool swing, laidback Latin, beautiful ballads and some funky grooves, too.
Paul, Frode and Erik has become a tight, swinging unit.
PAUL WAGNBERG ORGAN UNIT is a groovy, humorous and entertaining live-act.
And these excellent soloists bring the Jimmy Smith tradition further on.
They are touring Scandinavia, carrying around the heavy, legendary Hammond B3 organ.
A couple of vocal numbers with Paul during the concert is not unusual.