A Bold, Soulful Follow-Up to 2018’s Walk the Walk, Featuring Special Guest Trombonist Steve Davis
Shifting Paradigm Records is proud to announce the release of Sweet William, the long-awaited second album from Eric Siereveld’s Organic Quintet, available July 25, 2025 on vinyl, CD, and digital download. Following the group’s acclaimed 2018 debut Walk the Walk, which featured celebrated guitarist Jonathan Kreisberg, Sweet William finds the ensemble delving deeper into the rich legacy of organ jazz while carving out their own expressive space in the modern jazz landscape.
Led by trumpeter, composer, and educator Eric Siereveld, the Organic Quintet pays homage to the 1960s organ combo tradition while delivering music that is fresh, melodic, and rooted in hard bop sensibilities. Sweet William features six new compositions by Siereveld, one collaborative effort from Siereveld and Steve Davis, and one inventive arrangement, performed by a dynamic new lineup: tenor saxophonist and flutist Bill Todd, guitarist Tony Davis, drummer Carmen Intorre, Jr., and the return of B3 organist Steve Snyder.
Siereveld says, "Sweet William feels like a monumental step forward for me personally and for the Organic Quintet. There's a warmth and richness to the writing on this record that sets it apart from the group's debut—a maturity and depth that feels more personal and open. Of course, it helps to be joined by some of the best musicians in the world to bring these new compositions to life.”
Anchoring the album is legendary trombonist Steve Davis (Art Blakey, Chick Corea, One For All), whose seasoned artistry shines through on six of the album’s eight tracks, adding both warmth and power to the group’s sound.
The album opens with the propulsive groove of “Growl,” a CTI-flavored tribute to Siereveld’s hometown Cincinnati Bengals. From there, the group dexterously navigates the fiery bop of "The Worm Burner," a Bird & Diz-styled rhythm changes tune with a rousing drum shout from Intorre, Jr. The wistful beauty of the title track—an underappreciated ballad by Syd Wayne and Joe Sherman, reimagined in honor of Siereveld’s young son—brought the project into focus for Siereveld, who says, “Becoming a parent changes a person. It creates a perspective that is much more forward-looking—at least that's been my experience. Initially, ‘Sweet William’ was just intended to be this record's ballad and a quiet tribute to my son. But after the tenderness of the arrangement came to life, everyone on the record shared the feeling that it should be the title track. I'm proud of my son, and I'm proud of this album.”
The collaborative “Do the Right Thing” pairs Steve Davis with his son, guitarist Tony Davis, in a stirring intergenerational musical dialogue. The Messengers-style romp "Before They Hear You" pays tribute to Art Blakey’s fierce energy, while "The Git Down!" is a groovy blues shuffle with shades of Thad Jones. "Something Borrowed, Something Blue" elegantly nods to the harmonic language of Horace Silver and Blue Mitchell, and the “dearth” writing style of Benny Golson. The record closes with “The Merlion,” an angular, soul-infused swinger that leaves the listener with a final burst of momentum.
Since the release of Walk the Walk, Eric Siereveld has continued to solidify his presence as a multifaceted force in the jazz world. A Yamaha Performing Artist and nationally recognized jazz educator, Siereveld serves as Associate Professor of Trumpet and Coordinator of Jazz and Commercial Music at the University of Louisiana Monroe, where he holds the prestigious Emy-Lou Biedenharn Endowed Professorship. A veteran of the New York City music scene, his performance credits include Broadway productions (Elf: The Musical, The Addams Family), principal roles with Bronx Opera and the Bronx Orchestra, and appearances with jazz ensembles across the country. He has shared the stage with notable artists such as Frank Sinatra, Jr., Michael Feinstein, Dave Stryker, and The Big Payback, as well as led his own groups throughout New York, the Midwest, and the South.
On Sweet William, Siereveld’s writing is mature but energized, and his trumpet playing is bold, yet warm and lyrical. The Organic Quintet’s interplay is tighter and more nuanced than ever, with each player contributing their distinctive voice to the album’s rich palette. Together, they affirm that organ jazz is alive and thriving—deeply soulful, fiercely swinging, and unmistakably modern.
Sweet William will be available July 25, 2025 via Shifting Paradigm Records on all vinyl, CD, digital download and streaming.
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