Brian Charette, Hammond Organ
Brian was born in Meriden, Connecticut in 1972 and was introduced to music by his mother, Catherine. By
age 17, he was playing with jazz greats such as Lou Donaldson and Houston Person. Since graduating
from UConn on the Dean’s List with a BA in Music in 1994, Charette has performed extensively throughout
Europe and the US, with his home base in the East Village, NYC. Brian is a fixture on the downtown NYC
scene and works with virtually anyone who plays with an organist. Brian has performed with many well
known artists including Joni Mitchell, Chaka Khan, Paul Simon, Cyndi Lauper, Oz Noy, Vinnie Colaiuta,
John Patitucci and many more. Brian teaches masterclasses around the world and is a faculty member at the Czech Summer Jazz Workshop at the Jesek Conservatory in Prague. In NYC, he teaches classes and
group lessons at The New School and 92nd Y School of Music. His first book, 101 Hammond B3 Tips,
released by publisher Hal Leonard, has become very popular, as have his videos on the website
mymusicmasterclass.com. Brian is currently ranked #2 on the 2023 Downbeat Critics Poll for Organ and
has also won the 2023 „Rising Star: Keyboard“. Brian was also the winner of the 2014 Downbeat Critics‘
Poll „Rising Star: Organ“ award and the 2015 „Fan’s Decision Jazz Award for Best Organist“ from Hot House
Magazine. Charette’s new Cellar Live release, Jackpot, was recorded in Rudy Van Gelder’s hallowed studio
with Bill Stewart on drums. The album received 4 stars from Downbeat and spent months on the Jazzweek
radio chart, peaking at #9 for 6 weeks. Website: www.briancharette.com

Dirk Van der Linden, guitar
Dirk was born in Antwerp on August 28, 1969. He started playing the guitar at the age of six. At the age of
12, he first came into contact with jazz. This was in a restaurant in Antwerp. At the same time, he already
played the first notes on the piano. Now Dirk plays the guitar, Hammond organ, piano and is a composer,
producer, music teacher and Sales Manager for Hammond Suzuki for the whole of Europe. Although he is
a completely self-taught musician, he teaches Hammond organ at the Conservatory of Ghent. In 1989, he
became a professional musician. At that time he played as a musician in various theater projects such as
„Blauwe Maandag Compagnie“, KVS, KJT etc. Dirk works a lot for TV and radio in Belgium and other
countries. He plays concerts all over Europe, but also in Dubai, South Africa, Guadeloupe, Morocco, Ibiza,
New Zealand and the US. He worked with greats such as Toots Thielemans, Clark Terry, Red Holloway,
Teddy Edwards, Howard Alden, Scott Hamilton, Dan Barrett, Gary Smylian, Andy Mackintosch and many
others.

Dennis Meentz, drums
Dennis is an all-round drummer who is active in various styles. After he started drumming at the age of 6,
he was on stage with his first band from the age of twelve. Later he completed a bachelor’s and master’s
degree at the Maastricht Conservatory and moved to London to work in the heart of the international
music industry. He currently lives in Sweden. Since then Dennis has toured with artists such as Colossa,
Ellen Foley (Meat Loaf), Ijdi, he was asked for various theater tours, club tours and other projects at home
and abroad and he shared the stage with Andy Timmons, Triggerfinger, Royal Republic and Ian Siegal. In
addition, he worked as a session musician on dozens of recordings and songs from his band were heard in
popular TV shows such as House, GTST and Onderweg Naar Morgen.

Cover: 20/15€