Friday, February 24, 2017

Sound Check Jon Hammond Band Arcada Theatre Gig For Gregg Gregory Gronowski St. Charles IL

#WATCHMOVIE HERE: Sound Check Jon Hammond Band Arcada Theatre Gig For Gregg Gregory Gronowski St. Charles IL Jon's archive https://archive.org/details/SoundCheckJonHammondBandArcadaTheatreGigForGreggGregoryGronowskiSt.CharlesIL Sound Check Jon Hammond Band Arcada Theatre Gig For Gregg Gregory Gronowski St. Charles IL Gregg Gronowski's son Greg Gronowski in the sound booth of Arcada Theatre at the MacBook Pro during sound check Sam Jewell and Steve Eisen shaking hands on the stand Youtube https://youtu.be/ZFYeO68mqWA Vimeo https://vimeo.com/205512139 Facebook Jon Hammond Band Video https://www.facebook.com/jonhammondband/videos/1587049184657206/ Sound Check Jon Hammond Band Arcada Theatre Gig for Gregg Gregory Gronowski St. Charles IL - Big Honor to play for Gregg Gregory Gronowski's family last night with these great musicians - Samuel Jewell drums, Joe Berger, Steve Eisen tenor saxophone - yours truly Jon Hammond at the XK-5 Hammond organ - great to see everybody last night! - Jon Hammond First part of concert last night in honor of Gregg Gregory Gronowski St. Charles, Illinois at Arcada Theatre Last Night - Dedicated to The Gronowski Family - Lori Kypry Gronowski, Greg Gronowski, Jamie Gronowski Swichtenberg, Theresa Gronowski + Hammond Organ USA, Scott May, Steve Simmons, Suzuki Musical Instruments http://jonhammondband.com/blog.html/jon_hammond_were_going_to_send_up_some_music_power_in_honor_of_gregg_gregory_gronowski_and_his_family_tomorrow_evening__see_you_on_the_bandstand_mr_berger__joe_berger_arcada_theatre_st_charles/ Big Thanks Ron Onesti Onesti Entertainment Corp. ©JON HAMMOND International American Society of Composers, Authors & Publishers (ASCAP) Ron Onesti Ron Onesti holding up list of Raffle Items from Hammond Suzuki Top Prize Tonight: Hammond Sk1 Stage Keyboard Organ! - just like the one Jon Hammond uses on many gigs: Vehicle (song)​) Live at Gregg Gregory Gronowski​ Memorial Concert was awesome Scott​! - Jon Hammond​ - The Ides Of March​ with Scott May and Jim Peterik http://jonhammondband.com/blog.html/jon_hammond_were_going_to_send_up_some_music_power_in_honor_of_gregg_gregory_gronowski_and_his_family_tomorrow_evening__see_you_on_the_bandstand_mr_berger__joe_berger_arcada_theatre_st_charles/ Vehicle (song)) Live at Gregg Gregory Gronowski Memorial Concert - The Ides Of March Suit & Tie Guy John Drake rules! Great job #SuitandTieGuy at the big Memorial Concert for Gregg Gregory Gronowski 2 days ago! - Jon Hammond Sound Check Jon Hammond Band Arcada Theatre Gig for Gregg Gregory Gronowski St. Charles IL from Jon Hammond 12 minutes ago Vimeo https://vimeo.com/205512139 Sound Check Jon Hammond Band Arcada Theatre Gig for Gregg Gregory Gronowski St. Charles IL - Big Honor to play for Gregg Gregory Gronowski's family last night with these great musicians - Samuel Jewell drums, Joe Berger, Steve Eisen tenor saxophone - yours truly Jon Hammond at the XK-5 Hammond organ - great to see everybody last night! - Jon Hammond First part of concert last night in honor of Gregg Gregory Gronowski St. Charles, Illinois at Arcada Theatre Last Night - Dedicated to The Gronowski Family - Lori Kypry Gronowski, Greg Gronowski, Jamie Gronowski Swichtenberg, Theresa Gronowski + Hammond Organ USA, Scott May, Steve Simmons, Suzuki Musical Instruments, Big Thanks Ron Onesti Onesti Entertainment Corp. ©JON HAMMOND International American Society of Composers, Authors & Publishers (ASCAP) Jon Hammond Nancy Moon Atsushi Ichige Greg Gronowski Steve Eisen Lori Kypry Gronowski Chan Mei Leng Carol Peters Gadd Tor Arne Engdal Dom Famularo Scott May Eduardo Lopez Gonzalez Joe Berger Steve Simmons Tino Pavlis Kevin McKendree Thomas Bremser Phil Jost Tyler Sid Greg Gronowski Amazing performance Jon, thank for being there, it was great to finally meet you Published February 24, 2017 Usage Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 Topics Sound Check, In Loving Memory, Jon Hammond Band, Gregg Gronowski, Hammond Organs, XK-5 organ, Arcada Theatre, Onesti Entertainment, Steven Eisen, Joe Berger, Jon Hammond, Sam Jewell, Suzuki Musical Instruments by Jon Hammond Sam Jewell - drums Steve Eisen tenor saxophone Joe Berger guitar Jon Hammond at the XK-5 Hammond Organ Big Honor to play for Gregg Gregory Gronowski's family last night with these great musicians - Samuel Jewell drums, Joe Berger, Steve Eisen tenor saxophone - yours truly Jon Hammond at the XK-5 Hammond organ - great to see everybody last night! - Jon Hammond First part of concert last night in honor of Gregg Gregory Gronowski St. Charles, Illinois at Arcada Theatre Last Night http://kernelpanichammondcast.blogspot.com/2017/02/jon-hammond-were-going-to-send-up-some.html FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Announcing Jon Hammond Band Germany Tour 31st Consecutive Year Dates: April 4th Tuesday jazzkeller Frankfurt - Jon Hammond Band April 5th Wednesday Musikmesse Center Stage 1 PM / 13:00 UHR April 6th Thursday Musikmesse Center Stage 1 PM / 13:00 UHR April 7th Friday Jazzkeller-Hofheim 7 PM Pizza Sound Check and Gig Official site: http://www.jonhammondband.com Swinging Funky Jazz and Blues Musicians: Peter Klohmann - tenor saxophone Giovanni Totò Gulino - drums Joe Berger - guitar Jon Hammond - organ Special Guest: Lee Oskar - harmonica As seen on Cable TV for 34 years in New York City every Friday night “Jon Hammond Show” Music, Travel and Soft News. This is the 31st consecutive musikmesse for Jon Hammond and his colleague guitarist Joe Berger. Interview from Detlef Kinsler / Journal Frankfurt LINK: http://journal-frankfurt.de/funkyjazz Note: Coming to musikmesse every year, in the year 1991 Jon Hammond moved to Frankfurt for 2 years. During these 2 years Jon played a total of 206 gigs in the Die Jazz Kneipe on the Berliner Strasse - this is where Jon met Giovanni the drummer, playing together many times. Jazz Kneipe was a late night trefftpunkt for musicians - many would sit in with Jon and Giovanni, including the late great Attila Zoller, also Tony Lakatos and many of the player from the hr-bigband and visiting American musicians Jon knew from USA. Jon Hammond: It was because of musikmesse and the many contacts I made there that I moved to Frankfurt for 2 years of my life. After the 2 years in Frankfurt, 1 year in Paris and then 2 years in Hamburg in the North. The whole time living in Europe Jon continued producing and sending in The Jon Hammond Show TV shows for broadcast in New York City on Manhattan Cable TV. In Hamburg Jon Hammond worked together with Knut Benzner Moderator / Journalist of NDR and released his album “Late Rent” on Hot Wire Records which was distributed by EFA Medien. Joe Berger is a well-known guitarist and audio engineer who has worked and toured with John Entwistle of The WHO and world stars - he stopped counting at 35,000 bands! Jon and Joe began working together in the year 1986 and touring worldwide. Giovanni Totò Gulino has backed up everybody in Frankfurt - he is one of the best drummers in Hessen, and long-time haus drummer for the world famous jazzkeller. Peter Klohmann is a rising star on tenor saxophone - he has already been featured on HR Radio together with the hr-bigband and is also a composer. This is The Jon Hammond Band, and we are very proud and excited to announce a very special guest joining the boys on Center Stage: Lee Oskar! Original member of the band WAR and manufacturer of the famous LEE OSKAR Harmonicas, come visit Lee at his stand at musikmesse 2017 and hear him playing his unique famous style together with Jon Hammond All Star Band, see you there! Foto bilder: Andreas Meer Lee Oskar with Jon Hammond and Joe Berger: Text / Interview from Detlef Kinsler - Journal Frankfurt: MY HOME AWAY FROM HOME icon_comments.gif0 Jon Hammond zum 27. Mal auf der Musikmesse Nomen est omen. Der Mann heißt Hammond und spielt eine Hammond. Der Organist aus New York freut sich auf Frankfurt und lädt zur Musikmesse Warm Up Party am 9.4. in den Jazzkeller ein. JOURNAL FRANKFURT: Was war für Sie zuerst da – die Frankfurter Musikmesse oder Auftritte im Jazzkeller? Jon Hammond: Die Musikmesse. Ich kam 1987 zum ersten Mal nach Frankfurt, zusammen mit Joe Berger, der auf der Messe für Engl Amplifiers spielte. Wir flogen mit der Lufthansa ein und teilten uns ein Zimmer im berühmten Prinz Otto Hotel am Hauptbahnhof. Schon in der ersten Nacht stellte mir Joe den großen John Entwistle, den Bassisten von The Who vor. Es wurde eine lange Nacht, in der wir Cognac tranken und Erdnüsse knabberten in eiern Suite des Marriott Hotels. Ich habe Joe bei einer Session mit John und Ringo Starrs Sohn Zak Starkey im Dorian Grey Club gefilmt bei einer Soundcheck Party. In den ersten paar Jahren spielte ich nicht oft live weil ich noch keine transportierbare Hammond Orgel hatte vor 1991 als ich den Prototyp einer XB-2 Hammond Orgel bekam mit der ich dann um die Welt reiste. Hauptsächliche dokumenierte ich aber die Messe für meine Cable TV Show in New York, die inzwischen im 29. Jahr als The Jon Hammond Show -– Music, Travel and Soft News präsentiert. Die harten Nachrichten überlasse ich CNN und den großen Networks (lacht). Vom ersten Jahr an fühlten wir uns der Musikmesse eng verbunden, haben seitdem eine tolle Zeit hier, kommen jedes Jahr wieder bis wir kleine, alte Männer sind. Das Jazzkeller-Konzert am Vorabend der Musikmesse ist zu einer netten Tradition geworden – wie kam es dazu, was bedeutet es Ihnen und wir werden Sie dieses Jahr diesen Abend im Jazzkeller zelebrieren? Ab 1991 lernte ich mehr und mehr Musikmesse-Menschen kennen und die mich und auch einiges von meiner Musik. Einige von ihnen ermunterten mich, doch auch für Auftritte nach Deutschland zu kommen weil es hier doch ein Interesse an Hammond-Orgel-Groove-Music gab. Mit der schon erwähnten, kleinen, kompakten aber sehr kraftvollen Orgel war das alles möglich. Zudem machte ich in New York gerade eine schwere Zeit durch, mein Vater war gestorben und ich hatte das Gefühl, einige Veränderungen könnten meinem Leben gut tun. Also kam ich nach Frankfurt mit meiner XB-2, allerdings mit einem Rückflugticket falls etwas schief gehen würde. Ich rief viele Musiker an, ließ sie wissen, ich bin jetzt da, lasst uns zusammen spielen. Das war für mich der Anfang einer langen, sehr speziellen Beziehung, vor allem zum Frankfurter Publikum nach ersten kleinen erfolgen im Jazzkeller und einer kurzen Auftritt im Hessen Report im Fernsehen. Beatrix Rief verdanke ich dieses „lucky light on me“, eine tolle Erfahrung. Seitdem nenne ich Frankfurt „My Good Luck City" und im Jazzkeller begann auch alles für mich als Musiker. Deshalb liegt mir der Club auch so nah am Herzen, deshalb hatte ich auch die Idee, meine „Musikmesse Warm Up Party" dort zu realisieren, immer in der Nacht bevor die Messe startet was zu einer schönen Tradition wurde. Im ersten Jahr, in dem ich dann auch ein wenig Sponsoring von Philip Morris bekam, konnte ich damit einige Flugtickets für befreundete Musik bezahlen. Darüber war ich sehr glücklich. Dabei rauche ich selbst gar nicht. Wie würden Sie Ihr persönliches Verhältnis zu Deutschland und Frankfurt beschrieben? Lassen Sie es mich so sagen: ich liebe Frankfurt und die Frankfurter waren immer gut zu mir in all den Jahren. Ich könnte ein ganzes Buch über die Zeit schreiben, in der ich in Bornheim wohnte und Nacht für Nacht in der alten Jazzkneipe in der Berliner Straße auftrat. Das war der Treffpunkt, wo auch die Musiker der HR Bigband hinkamen und es gab eine generöse Chefin in der kleinen Kneipe. Auch Regine Dobberschütz und Eugen Hahn im Jazzkeller waren wahre Jazzengel für mich, die mir so vieles ermöglichten in der Zeit. Wir konnten auch in den Studios von AFN Radio spielen, waren die einzigen Musiker, die das – mit einer Sondergenehmigung des US Militärs – durften. Für ein wenig Promotion für die Musikmesse. Wir nannten das Programm für die AFN „Profile TV „-Show „Sound Police“. Wir hatten viel Spaß. Kein Wunder also, dass ich Frankfurt als my home away from home begreife und ich mich jedes Mal wieder freue zur Musikmesse zu reisen, in diesem Jahr übrigens zum 27. Mal in Folge. Und ich bin diesmal besonders aufgeregt, heim nach Frankfurt zu kommen weil ich gerade 60 Jahre alt geworden bin. Wer wird in diesem Jahr zum Gelingen des Konzertes mit teils komponierter, teils improvisierter Musik, so nehme ich an, beitragen und was für einen Sound wird die Band präsentieren? Ich habe etwa 90% der Kompositionen geschrieben, die wir spielen werden. Es ist die Musik, die man auch in meiner New Yorker TV-Show hören kann und die mich mehrmals um die Welt getragen hat. Meinen Stil nenne ich „Swinging Funky Jazz and Blues" und featurert die ganz wunderbaren Solisten in meine Band: Tony Lakatos, den großen ungarischen Tenorsaxophonisten, der auch Mitglied in der hr Bigband ist, dann meinen alten Freund Giovanni Gulino, diesen tollen Schlagzeuger, der schon für fast alle Großen der Szene getrommelt hat. Ich liebe diese Jungs. Als Gitarrist ist mein alten Freund und Kollege Joe Berger dabei, den man auch als The Berger-Meister kennt. Auf diese Formation bin ich wirklich stolz. Werden Sie im Jazzkeller wieder eine Hammond Orgel spielen? Ja, sicher, das neueste Modell, eine Sk1, die exakt so klingt wie die legendäre B3. Ich liebe sie. Und sie wiegt nur noch sieben Kilo (Anm. des Autors: Das Original, ein echtes Möbel mit viel Holz, mussten immer zwei Menschen mit viel Muskelkraft die Treppen rauf und runter hieven), ein deutliches Indiz, dass wir in der Zukunft angekommen sind. Da stecken viele Jahre Forschung und Entwicklung drin, auch Bühnenerprobungen. Ich ziehe den Hut vor den Ingenieuren von Suzuki, ein unverwüstliches Instrument erschaffen zu haben. Und das unterziehe ich jetzt einen echten Härttest (lacht). Web: www.jazzkeller.com / www.jonhammondband.com In Deutsch, vom Google Translate: Jon Hammond Band Offizielle Seite: http://www.jonhammondband.com Swinging Funky Jazz und Blues Musiker: Peter Klohmann - Tenorsaxophon Giovanni Totò Gulino - Schlagzeug Joe Berger - Gitarre Jon Hammond - Orgel Besonderer Gast: Lee Oskar - Harmonika Wie auf Kabelfernsehen für 34 Jahre in New York City jeden Freitagabend gesehen "Jon Hammond Show" Musik, Reisen und Soft News. Dies ist die 31. aufeinander folgende musikmesse für Jon Hammond und sein Kollegengitarrist Joe Berger. Interview von Detlef Kinsler / Journal Frankfurt LINK: http://journal-frankfurt.de/funkyjazz Anmerkung: Kommen Sie musikmesse jedes Jahr, im Jahr 1991 Jon Hammond zog nach Frankfurt für 2 Jahre. Während dieser 2 Jahre Jon spielte insgesamt 206 Gigs in der Jazz Kneipe auf der Berliner Straße - hier traf Jon Giovanni die Schlagzeuger, zusammen spielen viele Male. Jazz Kneipe war eine späte Nacht trefftpunkt für Musiker - viele würden mit Jon sitzen Und Giovanni, einschließlich der späten großen Attila Zoller, auch Tony Lakatos und viele der Spieler aus der hr-Bigband und besuchen Amerikanische Musiker Jon wusste aus den USA. Jon Hammond: Es war wegen der musikmesse und der vielen Kontakte, die ich dort gemacht habe, dass ich für 2 Jahre meines Lebens nach Frankfurt gezogen bin. Nach den 2 Jahren in Frankfurt, 1 Jahr in Paris und dann 2 Jahre in Hamburg im Norden. Die ganze Zeit in Europa lebte Jon weiter Produzieren und senden in der Jon Hammond Show TV-Sendungen für Sendung in New York City auf Manhattan Kabelfernsehen. In Hamburg Jon Hammond arbeitete zusammen mit Knut Benzner Moderator / Journalist von NDR und veröffentlichte sein Album "Late Rent" auf Hot Wire Records Die von der EFA Medien verteilt wurde. Joe Berger ist ein bekannter Gitarrist und Toningenieur, der mit John Entwistle von der WHO und Weltstars gearbeitet und besucht hat - Er hörte auf 35.000 Bands zu zählen! Jon und Joe begannen im Jahr 1986 zusammenzuarbeiten und weltweit zu reisen. Giovanni Totò Gulino hat alle in Frankfurt gesichert - er ist einer der besten Trommler in Hessen und langjähriger Haus Drummer Für den weltberühmten Jazzkeller. Peter Klohmann ist ein aufsteigender Stern auf Tenorsaxophon - er wurde bereits auf HR Radio zusammen mit dem hr-bigband vorgestellt und ist Auch ein Komponist. Dies ist die Jon Hammond Band, und wir sind sehr stolz und aufgeregt, um einen ganz besonderen Gast zu verkünden, der sich den Jungs auf der Center Stage anschloss: Lee Oskar! Ursprüngliches Mitglied der Band WAR und Hersteller der berühmten LEE OSKAR Harmonicas, kommen Lee an seinem Stand Bei musikmesse 2017 und höre ihn mit seinem einzigartigen berühmten Stil zusammen mit Jon Hammond All Star Band, wir sehen uns dort! Backstage shot with Robby Robinson, Jon Hammond, Justin Dillard - photo by Marine Lacoste - First part of concert last night in honor of Gregg Gregory Gronowski St. Charles, Illinois at Arcada Theatre Last Night Jon Hammond under the marquis After the concert last night in honor of Gregg Gregory Gronowski St. Charles, Illinois at Arcada Theatre We're in trouble folks! "AN UNPRECEDENTED ACT" CNN http://money.cnn.com/2017/02/24/media/cnn-blocked-white-house-gaggle/index.html White House blocks news organizations from press briefing by Dylan Byers, Sara Murray and Kevin Liptak @CNNMoney February 24, 2017: 7:23 PM ET "CNN and other news outlets were blocked on Friday from attending an off-camera White House press briefing that other reporters were hand-picked to attend, raising alarm among media organizations and First Amendment watchdogs. The decision struck veteran White House journalists as unprecedented in the modern era, and escalated tensions in the already fraught relationship between the Trump administration and the press. The New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, Politico, BuzzFeed, the BBC and the Guardian were also among those excluded from the meeting, which was held in White House press secretary Sean Spicer's office. The meeting, which is known as a gaggle, was held in lieu of the daily televised Q-and-A session in the White House briefing room. When reporters from these news organizations tried to enter Spicer's office for the gaggle, they were told they could not attend because they were not on the list of attendees. In a brief statement defending the move, administration spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said the White House "had the pool there so everyone would be represented and get an update from us today." The White House press pool usually includes representatives from one television outlet, one radio outlet and one print outlet, as well as reporters from a few wire services. In this case, four of the five major television networks -- NBC, ABC, CBS and Fox News -- were invited and attended the meeting, while only CNN was blocked. And while The New York Times was kept out, conservative media organizations Breitbart News, The Washington Times and One America News Network were also allowed in. "This is an unacceptable development by the Trump White House," CNN said in a statement. "Apparently this is how they retaliate when you report facts they don't like. We'll keep reporting regardless." New York Times executive editor Dean Baquet wrote, "Nothing like this has ever happened at the White House in our long history of covering multiple administrations of different parties. We strongly protest the exclusion of The New York Times and the other news organizations. Free media access to a transparent government is obviously of crucial national interest." The White House press office had informed reporters earlier that the traditional, on-camera press briefing would be replaced by a gaggle in Spicer's office, reporters in attendance said. Asked about the move by the White House Correspondents Association, the White House said it would take the press pool and invite others as well. The WHCA protested that decision on the grounds that it would unfairly exclude certain news organizations, the reporters said. The White House did not budge, and when reporters arrived at Spicer's office, White House communications officials only allowed in reporters from specific media outlets. CNN reporters attempted to access the gaggle when it began at about 1:45 p.m. ET. As they walked with a large group of fellow journalists from the White House briefing room toward Spicer's office, an administration official turned them around, informing them CNN wasn't on the list of attendees. Reporters from The Associated Press, Time magazine and USA Today decided in the moment to boycott the briefing because of how it was handled. Asked during the gaggle whether CNN and The New York Times were blocked because the administration was unhappy with their reporting, Spicer responded: "We had it as pool, and then we expanded it, and we added some folks to come cover it. It was my decision to expand the pool." Several news outlets spoke out against the White House's decision. "The Wall Street Journal strongly objects to the White House's decision to bar certain media outlets from today's gaggle," a Journal spokesman said. "Had we known at the time, we would not have participated and we will not participate in such closed briefings in the future." The White House move was called "appalling" by Washington Post Executive Editor Marty Baron, who said the Trump administration is on "an undemocratic path." Politico editor-in-chief John Harris said that "selectively excluding news organizations from White House briefings is misguided." Said BuzzFeed editor-in-chief Ben Smith: "While we strongly object to the White House's apparent attempt to punish news outlets whose coverage it does not like, we won't let these latest antics distract us from continuing to cover this administration fairly and aggressively." The Associated Press said it "believes the public should have as much access to the president as possible." The White House Correspondents Association also protested the move. "The WHCA board is protesting strongly against how today's gaggle is being handled by the White House," it said in a statement. "We encourage the organizations that were allowed in to share the material with others in the press corps who were not. The board will be discussing this further with White House staff." " CNN and other news outlets were blocked on Friday from attending an off-camera White House press briefing that other reporters were hand-picked to attend, raising alarm among media organizations and First Amendment watchdogs. The decision struck veteran White House journalists as unprecedented in the modern era, and escalated tensions in the already fraught relationship between the Trump administration and the press. The New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, Politico, BuzzFeed, the BBC and the Guardian were also among those excluded from the meeting, which was held in White House press secretary Sean Spicer's office. The meeting, which is known as a gaggle, was held in lieu of the daily televised Q-and-A session in the White House briefing room. When reporters from these news organizations tried to enter Spicer's office for the gaggle, they were told they could not attend because they were not on the list of attendees. In a brief statement defending the move, administration spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said the White House "had the pool there so everyone would be represented and get an update from us today." The White House press pool usually includes representatives from one television outlet, one radio outlet and one print outlet, as well as reporters from a few wire services. In this case, four of the five major television networks -- NBC, ABC, CBS and Fox News -- were invited and attended the meeting, while only CNN was blocked. And while The New York Times was kept out, conservative media organizations Breitbart News, The Washington Times and One America News Network were also allowed in. "This is an unacceptable development by the Trump White House," CNN said in a statement. "Apparently this is how they retaliate when you report facts they don't like. We'll keep reporting regardless." New York Times executive editor Dean Baquet wrote, "Nothing like this has ever happened at the White House in our long history of covering multiple administrations of different parties. We strongly protest the exclusion of The New York Times and the other news organizations. Free media access to a transparent government is obviously of crucial national interest." The White House press office had informed reporters earlier that the traditional, on-camera press briefing would be replaced by a gaggle in Spicer's office, reporters in attendance said. Asked about the move by the White House Correspondents Association, the White House said it would take the press pool and invite others as well. The WHCA protested that decision on the grounds that it would unfairly exclude certain news organizations, the reporters said. The White House did not budge, and when reporters arrived at Spicer's office, White House communications officials only allowed in reporters from specific media outlets. CNN reporters attempted to access the gaggle when it began at about 1:45 p.m. ET. As they walked with a large group of fellow journalists from the White House briefing room toward Spicer's office, an administration official turned them around, informing them CNN wasn't on the list of attendees. Reporters from The Associated Press, Time magazine and USA Today decided in the moment to boycott the briefing because of how it was handled. Asked during the gaggle whether CNN and The New York Times were blocked because the administration was unhappy with their reporting, Spicer responded: "We had it as pool, and then we expanded it, and we added some folks to come cover it. It was my decision to expand the pool." Several news outlets spoke out against the White House's decision. "The Wall Street Journal strongly objects to the White House's decision to bar certain media outlets from today's gaggle," a Journal spokesman said. "Had we known at the time, we would not have participated and we will not participate in such closed briefings in the future." The White House move was called "appalling" by Washington Post Executive Editor Marty Baron, who said the Trump administration is on "an undemocratic path." Politico editor-in-chief John Harris said that "selectively excluding news organizations from White House briefings is misguided." Said BuzzFeed editor-in-chief Ben Smith: "While we strongly object to the White House's apparent attempt to punish news outlets whose coverage it does not like, we won't let these latest antics distract us from continuing to cover this administration fairly and aggressively." The Associated Press said it "believes the public should have as much access to the president as possible." The White House Correspondents Association also protested the move. "The WHCA board is protesting strongly against how today's gaggle is being handled by the White House," it said in a statement. "We encourage the organizations that were allowed in to share the material with others in the press corps who were not. The board will be discussing this further with White House staff." Jon Hammond We're going to send up some music power in honor of Gregg Gregory Gronowski and his family tomorrow evening - see you on the bandstand Mr. Berger / Joe Berger! Arcada Theatre St. Charles *Just last June, Gregg Gronowski MC'ing Hammond Party in Nashville Tennessee Director Of Sales And Marketing Company NameHammond USA Dates EmployedJun 2012 – Jon Hammond The sky is on fire here in lovely Saint Charles, Illinois / Land O' Lincoln Boys! The heavens are opening up to send up the music to Gregg tomorrow night - Jon - Big Hellooo Hammond Organ USA & Suzuki Musical Instruments ! Yes I'm coming home to my birthplace Chicago, Illinois on a very special mission - Chicago directly below - coming in for a landing for the big gig for Gregory Gronowski Family tomorrow - I'm in town and not messing around - Jon Hammond "Introduction and Words about Gregg Gronowski for Sound Soul Summit for Gregg - Arcada Theatre - Jon Hammond at the microphone and Organ Good evening St. Charles! We are here this evening to honor Gregg Gronowski and send up our music straight from the heart - I know everybody here in the Arcada Theatre was touched by Gregg and the amazing work he did with Hammond in just a few years working together with Scott, Ray Gerlich, Peter Phu Nguyen, Steve Simmons and Hammond USA Team and Suzuki Musical Instruments Team since he took over Sales and Marketing in 2012 - Gregg was a fine musician and a fine person - always professional and Gregg had a very special type of dry humor which I came to appreciate -- I am proud to call him a friend - that I miss very much! Let’s get right down to some music, I’m very happy to introduce on Tenor Saxophone: Steven Eisen - Drums: Sam Jewell, Joe Berger - guitar and yours truly at the Hammond organ. This tune is from my first album, it’s entitled “Lydia’s Tune” - I wrote it in Paris in 1981 - Thanks Gregg & Lori and everybody for coming together for this here in the Arcada, thanks Ron Onesti for this fine bandstand and hospitality! Program: 1. Lydia’s Tune 2. Cookin’ at the Arcada 3. (Late Rent chaser)? - 10 minutes " http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/naperville-sun/ct-ecn-hammond-organ-st-0217-20170210-story.html "Hammond organ concert to benefit family of Gregg Gronowski" Kathy Cichon Elgin Courier-News The Hammond organ seems to inspire not just loyalty amongst the musicians who play it, but also a spirit of camaraderie. "It's not joining the Elks or the Moose Lodge or something, but it is a fraternity/sorority... People helping and coming together. A lot of this was formed by Gregg. If you needed help, Gregg was there to help," said Scott May, organist for the Ides of March and project manager/artist liaison for Hammond USA. "That selflessness and brotherhood became the order of the day, and it's been wonderful to have that with so many artists and so many big names. It started with Gregg, and now we perpetuate." More than 20 Hammond artists will come to together Wednesday, Feb. 22 at the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles for the sixth annual Hammond Sound Soul Summit. The concert, which begins at 7:30 p.m., features musicians from across the genres including rock, jazz, pop, Gospel and more. During this year's Summit - the first time the event is held in the Chicago area - they will celebrate the life of Gregg Gronowski, Hammond USA's director of sales and marketing. Gronowski, who is credited with helping to create the family-like relationship among the Hammond musicians that's affectionately dubbed "HamFam," died in August 2016 following a massive stroke. All proceeds from the concert will benefit Gronowski's family. "He was a great guy, a special guy. He's brought together this Hammond family," said Robby Robinson, longtime music director for Frankie Valli. "He was kind of the Papa Bear of the HamFam. All of this Hammond organ people have this affinity and brotherhood so to speak, that it really is kind of a family. It's really special, and I'm so blessed to be a part of it." The night of music features what May calls "an unprecedented lineup" of Hammond musicians across a variety of musical genres. "You don't get to see these artists together in one place. You'll never see Mark Stein from Vanilla Fudge and Dr. Lonnie Smith together in the same show," May said. "You'll never see some of the Gospel artists and some of the rock artists together in the same show. It demonstrates the depth of Hammond family and the camaraderie we have." Among those performing are jazz legend Dr. Lonnie Smith, Mark Stein of Vanilla Fudge, Emiko, Rev. Jimmie Smith, Red Young of Eric Burdon's The Animals, Kevin McKendree of the Brian Setzer and Delbert McClinton bands, Yates McKendree, former Tower of Power musician Ellis Hall, Kim Tibbs, Jon Hammond, Jim Afredson, Tommy Leershen, Justin Dillard, Anthony Williams of the Bobby Jones Gospel TV show, Marine LaCoste of Uncle Kracker, Gary Swan from Etta James' band, Steven Eaklor, Peter Gallinari of Leslie West's and Richie Scarlett's bands and Jim Kozak. Also performing is May with the Ides of March featuring Jim Peterik, as well as Robinson with members of the Jersey Boys cast. "We're going to do a medley of Frankie Valli songs," Robinson said. "I've been living those songs for ever and ever. " During the Summit, musical equipment donated by Addison-based Hammond – including an organ – will be raffled, with those proceeds also going to Gronowski's family. "Gregg was very, very special to the company. He wasn't a keyboard player, he was a bass player by trade," May said. "He learned a lot about the instrument and did a lot to bring the company up to a modern level." Robinson said Gronowski was a genuinely warm person who connected with everyone, and that he had a real passion for music and the Hammond organ. That passion for Hammond is something Robinson shares. "I've been playing Hammond since the 60s. I own eight Hammond organs," said Robinson, who is also a composer and producer. What is it about the instrument that inspires such devotion? "There is no other organ in pop music or rock music or Gospel music that has become the standard bearer for the instrument in any of those genres. It just doesn't happen," Robinson said. "It's a one of a kind instrument. It's hard to quantify exactly … but there's no doubt that anybody who is Hammond organ player has a love affair with the instrument. "I love to play piano but when I sit down at the Hammond organ, it's the most fun thing I do in music," he said. "There's a special connection that I cannot articulate what it is, because it's such an emotional experience that it's hard to define it. But it is consistent and it is real." And during the Sound Soul Summit, audience members will have a chance to share that experience when the artists perform. "Guitarists get all the press. Everybody loves guitar players. They get all the press and all the action. The keyboard players kind of sit back," May said. "Now this is time for the keyboard players to step to the front of the stage and shine." Kathy Cichon is a freelance reporter for the Elgin Courier-News. Hammond Organ Sound Soul Summit When: Feb. 22 Where: Arcada Theatre, 105E. Main St., St. Charles Tickets: $25-$100 Information: 630-962-7000 or www.arcadalive.com Copyright © 2017, Naperville Sun St. Charles, Illinois -- Colonial Cafe getting powered up for the big gig for Gregory Gronowski Family tomorrow - I'm in town and not messing around - Jon Hammond - historic St. Charles Location, good food and ice cream! Japan Music Fair LIVE Get Back In The Groove XK5 Jon's archive https://archive.org/details/JapanMusicFairLIVEGetBackInTheGrooveXK5 Youtube https://youtu.be/1x3Xt4yLF8U Vimeo https://vimeo.com/190419463 Facebook video https://www.facebook.com/jonhammondband/videos/1455167981178661/ Japan Music Fair LIVE Get Back in The Groove XK5 featuring Koei Tanaka and Joe Berger plus special guest Tokuichi Inoue chromatic Harmonica Masters from Suzuki Musical Instruments - Jon Hammond is playing the new XK-5 Hammond organ and high power Leslie Speaker, the new standard in Hammond B3 digital organ, best modern Hammond organ in history, enjoy! Jon Hammond photo Steve aka Shunichi Horiuchi! http://www.HammondCast.com Tokyo Japan -- thanks for photo Steve aka Shunichi Horiuchi! - Tokyo Japan -- I love playing this organ XK-5 aka XK5 Hammond, come join us for Day 2 Japan Musical Instruments Fair in Suzuki Musical Instruments stand folks! - Jon Hammond Tonight's the night! - St. Charles Arcada Theatre Mark Stein Vanilla Fudge - all 10 fingers - Keep Me Hangin' On! "a slowed-down, hard rocking version of a song originally recorded by The Supremes. This version featured Stein's psychedelic-baroque organ intro and Appice's energetic drumming. It was a Top 10 hit in Canada, the US, and Australia and a Top 20 hit in the UK in 1967." Jon Hammond Band - Arcada Theatre St. Charles IL Sound Check, Gregg Gronowski, Memorial, In Loving Memory, Jon Hammond Band, Arcada Theatre, #Arcada #HammondOrgan #SuzukiMusicalInstruments