Radam
Schwartz,
Hammond B3 organist and jazz pianist, has built his
reputation over the last 30 years playing with such
great musicians as Arthur and Red Prysock, Eddie Lockjaw
Davis, Al Hibler, Jimmy Ford, and David “Fathead”
Newman. He continues to make music history today playing
with renowned artists and leading his own band, Conspiracy
for Positivity.
Conspiracy
for Positivity offers a fresh, original sound
and energizes audiences. The group's most recent album,
Songs for the Soul (Arabesque Jazz, 2010),
is currently receiving national airplay. Their previous
recording, Magic Tales (Arabesque Jazz,
2007), ultimately reached #11 on the jazz radio charts
and garnered Radam an award as one of the Top 10 SESAC
jazz recordings of 2007/2008. Prior to this, the group
released Conspiracy for Positivity (Blue
Ark Records, 2005), which also spent time on the jazz
radio charts and climbed to the #15 slot. Radam also recently
released Blues Citizens (Savant Records,
2009), featuring an all-star group that included Bruce
Williams, Bill Saxton, Eric Johnson and Cecil Brooks III
and reached #9 on the jazz radio charts. Radam's releases
consistently enjoy extended time on radio stations nationwide,
with many months of airplay apiece.
Radam's
prolific career has helped him build an extensive discography.
His own Organized (Muse Records, 1995)
was mentioned in the B3 Bible as one of the essential
organ records of all time. He also has been featured on
Cecil Brooks III and the CBIII band, For Those
Who Love to Groove (Savant Records); Our
Day Will Come with the Tommy Gryce Trio (Blue
Lady Records); The Lenny Roberts Quartet, Keepin'
it on the D.L.; Jazz at Crossroads;
and Russell Gunn's Mood Swings (HighNote
Records); and the debut recording Brooklyn Soul
Organization (M&N Records), featuring Radam
on organ, Brad Leali on alto sax, Grant Langford on tenor
sax, and Jerome Jennings on drums. In all, Radam has appeared
on over 35 recordings.
Radam
has hosted a Jam Session since 1986, beginning at the
famous Peppermint Lounge in Orange, New Jersey, and in
1997 when the Mint closed its doors, moving to the Crossroads
in Garwood, where you can still find him every Tuesday
night. Over the years, famous musicians like Etta Jones,
Rhoda Scott, Jimmy McGriff, Roy Ayers, and George Benson
have all enjoyed playing at the jam sessions. He is also
a regular at Showmans in Harlem, NY (one of the few remaining
organ clubs).
Radam
also has been a jazz educator for many years, continuing
as music director at the Jazz Institute of New Jersey,
artist-in-residence at Middlesex County Arts program,
and a teacher at Jazz Connections in Montclair, NJ.
