Organist John Ginty totally embraces being a session musician. He's spent the bulk of his career working with numerous top-flight players in multiple genres, though he considers himself first and foremost a blues and rock player.
That side of Ginty's musical personality, along with his flamboyance and flair as a soloist, is fully on display throughout his current release Bad News Travels. Ginty, who'll be appearing Wednesday at 12th and Porter, says the disc represents both his versatility and grounding in the blues.
"I've always really enjoyed playing all kinds of music, but if you ask me what I would say is my strength, it's the blues," Ginty said during a phone interview last week. "For this record I wanted to get a lot of the people I admire together in a room and just play what we felt. We didn't do many overdubs, and we sure didn't patch much together. What you hear for the most part represents things being as spontaneous as possible."
Some top selections include "The Quirk," which features guitarist Albert Castiglia, and "Mirrors," with a sterling performance from Gov't Mule's Warren Haynes. Powerful and soulful vocalist Alecia Chakour soars over Ginty's dynamic foundations on "Seven And The Spirit." Fiddler Martie Maquire adds fiery licks and adventurous phrases to Ginty's booming playing on "Rock Ridge," while guitarist Chris Jacobs helps Ginty revisit his roots on "Trinity."
The New Jersey-based Ginty, who's been playing the Hammond B-3 since high school, cites his years with Robert Randolph and the Family Band as vital to his development, both as a musician and person. "We began just playing in churches," Ginty said. "I remember when Robert started venturing into small clubs. One time we played in front of 20 people.
"To see that band really take off, people appreciate what we were doing and see it start to get noticed across the board was tremendously exciting. Then when we opened for the Dave Matthews Band at Madison Square Garden, I knew we'd reached a new plateau."
Since that time, Ginty's reputation for flexibility and always bringing something fresh and unusual to any musical setting has blossomed. His lengthy list of collaborations include Jewel, Citizen Cope, Santana, Matthew Sweet and Bad Religion. He's also a regular contributor to the Allman Brothers' periodic concerts at Beacon Theatre.
But while he's enjoyed all his gigs, Ginty voices particular enjoyment for his stint with The Dixie Chicks. "I've never worked that much in country music, though I certainly respect and appreciate it immensely," he said. "But working with the Dixie Chicks is a special kind of fun. They are incredible entertainers, wonderful people, so giving on stage and so supportive of the musicians who work with them. The world needs more of the Dixie Chicks."
Even though he's a gifted and knowledgeable organist who's published articles in Keyboard magazine, Ginty admits there's one musical style he doesn't often explore.
"I love the stuff that people like Miles Davis does and I'm very familiar with the great jazz organists like Jimmy McGriff and Dr. Lonnie Smith, but I've never tried to play very much jazz on organ," he said. "My conception is self-taught and homegrown, and a lot of jazz organ is a very different animal from what I do. I have great admiration for Jimmy Smith, but that's not really what I'm doing musically.
"I've got a 1969 Hammond B-3 right now and it's always by my side. I sometimes play a little piano and do some things with synthesizers and other instruments, but the organ's my true musical love."
John Ginty appears at 12th and Porter 9 p.m. Wednesday, May 21 with some very special guests. Tickets are $10.
