Einn færasti Hammondleikari Norðurlandanna, Andreas Hellkvist, leikur á pípuorgel Hjallakirkju föstudagskvöldið 16. maí kl. 20:00

Á efnisskránni eru íslensk og sænsk lög, eigið efni eftir Andreas og auðvitað smá popp!

Hér er einstakur tónlistarviðburður á ferðinni enda mun orgelið hljóma á hátt sem fæstir hafa heyrt áður.

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Andreas Hellkvist Solo Organ concert celebrating Iceland and Sweden with music ranging from jazz and gospel, to original compositions and perhaps some pop music.

Andreas Hellkvist is one of Sweden's (if not the world's) most versatile Hammond organ players. This year of 2025 marks his 30th anniversary with the instrument, and looking back at his career, his musical explorations comprises a vast amount of collaborations, stylistic variations, compositions and innovations of his own. It was the soul jazz of the 60's that inspired him to start playing the Hammond, but over the years he has expanded his horizons significantly. He regularly performs at jazz, blues, gospel and funk concerts, both with various bands and as a soloist. During the pandemic he did streamed solo concerts, that was followed by audiences all around the world. Coming out of the pandemic the solo concerts has become one of his main acts. The repertoire usually reflects his entire musical spectrum, and being the only one on stage, it is also easier to adapt to the situation and the audience. Sometimes the format is more strictly like a concert with a quiet listening audience, and sometimes it's just as much a social event - a party if you will, where the interaction with the audience is just as important as the music.

This concert marks a long awaited return to Iceland. Andreas first came here almost 10 years ago, for a tour with his trio that has just released his first album Finally! He immediately fell in love with this island, its nature and its people. One of his best friends in Sweden is Icelandic photographer Palli Kristmundsson and they have made number of trips over the years. In 2020 a big tour was schduled that included dates with a collabration of a Swedish blues band and the Icelandic band Beebee & the bluebirds (Andreas playing with both), a concert at the Reykjavik jazz festival, a rock concert with Eythor Ingi and solo concerts at the Swedish Embassy and other places. But due to the pandemic restrictions, everthing got cancelled. So this Iceland trip is the first step of reestablishing his Iceland connections and to curb the abstinence of not having seen the ravens, mountains, fields and fjords and people for so many years.

Over the years, Andreas has earned a reputation as an organist always in the moment, playfully performing his music with an outstanding technique and relentless groove. At live concerts and internet videos, the audience is simply amazed by the pure skill and devotion to the music.

The visual element of Andreas sitting at the organ clearly plays to his favor and few that have seen him in action leaves untouched. It is as if he and the organ are one, a unit from which music just flows effortlessly, uninhibited and freely.

Last year he released two albums - Orgelparty Pop Edition, with is a continuation of his streams with a light hearted but groovy and virtuoso appoach to pop music, from the 60s to 90s. The other one is called Quadraphonic, which can be decscribed as his biggest and most ambitiuous project so far. The organ is played through 4(!) leslie cabinets which can be controlled individually through various effects and techincal innovations. New soundscapes arise when the notes bounce around in the room, and the room itself becomes part of the instrument. A world unique project and an experience for all senses. It has been issued both in stereo and Dolby Atmos, both digitally and on physical media.

More info:

https://andreashellkvist.com