Deirdre Cartwright Returns With ORGANIK, Her First Album in 15 Years

Acclaimed British guitarist and composer Deirdre Cartwright returns with ORGANIK, her first new album in 15 years, reconnecting with the roots of jazz guitar trio interplay while embracing a stripped-back, deeply expressive sound.

Built around the classic organ trio format, the album pairs Cartwright with Pete Whittaker on Hammond organ and Gary Hammond on percussion. Together, the trio moves fluidly through swing, Latin grooves, blues-inflected improvisation, and soulful reinterpretations, balancing technical finesse with warmth and spontaneity.

For ORGANIK, Cartwright intentionally simplified her setup, plugging her Gibson guitar directly into a Fender amplifier without using effects pedals or studio processing. The result is an intimate, resonant tone that places touch, phrasing, and interaction at the forefront of the music. Combined with Whittaker’s classic Hammond textures and Hammond’s richly atmospheric percussion work, the trio creates a sound that feels timeless yet highly personal.

The album blends original compositions with imaginative reinterpretations of familiar material, including a striking version of Eleanor Rigby alongside pieces such as “Sultans of Swing,” “Softly as in a Morning Sunrise,” and “On Green Dolphin Street.” Cartwright also includes tributes to influential figures such as late jazz guitarist Emily Remler, whose lyrical and adventurous spirit echoes throughout the project.

Whittaker brings a deep connection to the hard-bop organ tradition, informed by collaborations with major UK jazz figures including Art Themen and John Etheridge. Meanwhile, Hammond’s broad rhythmic vocabulary—shaped through work with artists including Nina Simone and The Beautiful South—adds texture, movement, and subtle colour across the record.

Rather than aiming for virtuosity alone, ORGANIK thrives on feel, restraint, and collective chemistry. The album highlights Cartwright’s ability to move between melodic clarity and exploratory improvisation while maintaining an inviting, groove-oriented atmosphere throughout.

After a 15-year recording absence, ORGANIK feels less like a comeback and more like a reaffirmation of Deirdre Cartwright’s distinctive musical voice—rooted in jazz tradition yet entirely her own.