SOUL MESSAGE BAND
ELECTRONIC PRESS KIT
For Bookings:
Gregory Rockingham
847-406-0389
Soulmessagband@yahoo.com
SOUL MESSAGE BAND
BAND BIO
Chris Foreman - Hammond B3 Organ
Greg Rockingham - Drums
Greg Jung - Alto Saxophone
Soul Message Band was founded on the enduring partnership of Chris Foreman, the
Chicago-based and nationally celebrated Hammond B3 Jazz Organist, and award-
winning solid swinging drummer, Greg Rockingham, aka “ The Rock.” Greg and Chris have a 40 plus- year history of collaboration, including groups like the award-winning Deep Blue Organ Trio.
Mr. Rockingham and Mr. Foreman have an unmistakable chemistry
that has taken them from Chicago to Jazz Clubs and Arenas around the world as both
headliners (Umbria Jazz Festival, Italy) and opening group for Steely Dan for eight
years. Soul Message band, featuring Chris & Greg were inducted into the Hammond
B3 Hall of Fame. Soul Message can be seen in a worldwide attraction at Navy Pier,
called Fly Over Chicago.
The band adds the captivating alto saxophonist, Greg Jung.
Greg Jung is the trio’s newest and youngest member. He is a wonderful human being
and educator. He also is a world class musician. The powerful trio is not to be missed.
The trio, consisting of Chris Foreman, Greg Jung, and Greg Rockingham, can be heard
every Sunday at the famed Green Mill Jazz Club in Chicago.
Chris Foreman is a masterful musician and heir to the throne occupied by the soulful, bluesy jazz organ legends who were once his influence. Blind at birth, Foreman started playing piano at age five and began formal training at seven. As a teenager he was attracted to the organ sounds of Jack McDuff, Groove Holmes, JimmySmith and Jimmy McGriff. This attraction led Chris to pursue playing jazz on the organ, which he undertook through intensive study of recordings. Unlike many African- American musicians whose musical knowledge begins and is established through the church, Chris didn't start his apprenticeship as a church organist until he was almost twenty years old - well after his jazz roots were established. He has arrived at a most exciting blend of blues-gospel and jazz and has developed a stunning command and range on the instrument. The blend of his sound is evident in his professional experience, which has included work with Hank Crawford, Albert Collins, Bernard Purdie, The Mighty Blue Kings and Deep Blue Organ Trio.
CHRIS FOREMAN
Drummer Greg Rockingham began playing when he was just three years old and debuted as a professional musician at age five in his father's jazz ensemble. An alumnus of the famed Interlochen Arts Academy and Northeastern University, he has won numerous musical awards from the Notre Dame Jazz Festival. Greg has performed or recorded with a wide range of famous names, including the orchestras of Glenn Miller and Guy Lombardo, vocalists Freddie Cole, Patty Page and Jerry Vale and instrumentalists Nat Adderley, Kenny Burrell, Charles Earland, Irene Reid, Ellis Marsalis, Nancy Wilson, and Deep Blue Organ Trio.
GREG ROCKINGHAM
GREG JUNG
Greg Jung is a Chicago based alto saxophonist, originally from Albany, NY. He earned a Bachelor’s degree from SUNY Purchase where he studied with Jon Gordon, Ralph Lalama, Gary Smulyan, Mark Vinci, Steve Wilson, Todd Coolman, Jon Faddis, Hal Galper, Charles Blenzig and others. In 2014 Greg won the Vandoren Emerging Artist Competition, and traveled to perform that year in Paris, France. He spent three years in NYC before deciding to travel the country, performing in clubs and on the street in many of America’s great cities and small towns. It was in this way that he ended up in Chicago, where he has performed at venues like the Green Mill, Andy’s, Winters, Hungry Brain and the Chicago Jazz Festival. Since emerging onto the scene, he has shared the stage with many of the world class musicians that reside in the city. Greg received the Chicago Luminarts Cultural Foundation Fellowship in 2023.
MUSIC
FULL CIRCLE (2025)
"Reached #1 on the global radio chart!"
PEOPLE (2022)
LIVE AT BLUE LLAMA (2020)
