Chris Stephenson aka “Doc Fangaz” is an exceptional Hammond Organ player, keyboardist and vocalist from Memphis, Tennessee. Playing blues, jazz, funk and rock in the Mid-South area for 22 years, he has been rocking stages on legendary Beale Street at venues such as B.B. King’s Blues Club, Rum Boogie Café, and Blues City Café performing on the house B3s. Chris opened for B.B. King, shared the stage with Bobby Blue Bland and toured with Shirley Brown on “The Blues is Alright” tour. Currently, he is the keyboardist and lead vocalist for FreeWorld, a band that has been a staple of the Memphis music scene for 33 years. He formed his own band over 5 years ago, Doc Fangaz and The Remedy. Chris also enjoys being a music instructor at The School of Rock in Memphis and introducing students to the world of Hammond.
“I first became interested in the Hammond organ when I heard Joey Defrancesco. I wore out his album Goodfellas! He was the gateway for me. I then started listening to Rev. Charles Hodges, Jimmy McGriff and rockers like Steve Winwood, Rick Wakeman and Richard Wright. I just had to learn this instrument so I accepted a job playing third keyboard, meaning horns & strings for a Church of God in Christ here in Memphis. It paid very little but the pastor taught me how to play the B3 and that was priceless. My Hammond journey continued when I met several great Hammond players while freelancing on Beale Street bouncing from club to club. Later, I was working exclusively at B.B. King’s Blues Club playing in a blues band with Leroy Hodges. He introduced me to his younger brother, Rev. Charles Hodges. He along with many others have inspired me and been life changing by sharing their knowledge and wisdom of this instrument. When I found the Hammond organ, I feel like I discovered myself musically and have loved Hammond ever since.
Discography
2017--FreeWorld--"What it is"
2015--Victor Wainwright--"Boom Town"
Jeff Jensen--"Morose Elephant"
Will Tucker--"Worth the Gamble"
Mick Kolossa--"Ghosts of the Riverside Hotel"
The Fast Mothers--"From the Room of Magic Tunes"
Sister Lucille--"Walkin' Shoes"
Wayland--"Shoppin' for a Savior"
Tori Tollison--"Bed You Made"
2014--The Fast Mothers--self-titled
Mick Kolossa--"Michissippi Mick"
Brad Bikedaul & The Burning Love Band--"Movin On"
2013--Jeff Jensen--"Road Worn and Ragged"
The Eric Hughes Band--"Drink Up!"
Brandon Santini--"This Time Another Year"
2011--Brandon Santini--"Songs of Love,Money and Misery"
Webb Dalton--"Mine's Bigger"
2009--Ghost Town Blues Band--"Dust to Dust"
Jensen may harken back to his original West Coast roots with the instrumental number “Elephant Blue” that has a bit of surf feel to it, while Chris Stephenson provides some monster organ playing and Cunningham and Ruffino dish out a bit of jazzy rhythm. This song takes you on a musical journey, clefting at one sound after another for a uniquely original plateful of guitar goodness.
The arrangement of “Paper Walls” features Chris Stephenson on organ & a toy piano, giving the track an otherworldly sound. Jensen’s dramatic vocal conjures up visions of a world of chaos similar to the vistas of Tom Waits best work. “Ash and Bone” is a beautiful ballad enhanced by the breathtaking fiddle playing from Anne Harris. The band is far more aggressive on “Get Along,” with Jensen’s hard-rocking guitar in the spotlight before the horns join at the end to drive home an appeal for understanding. Drummer James Cunningham propels the swirling instrumental “Elephant Blue” with Stephenson taking the organ on a wild ride. Jensen follows up with fleet-fingered, fluid solo that builds to soul-wrenching climax
I just received the new release, Road Worn and Ragged from Jeff Jensen. Assembling a strong cast of supporting players Jensen hits it hard right out of the chute with Brunette Woman, a blues rocker with hot harp from Brandon Santini and rippin' guitar riffs from Jensen. Tom Waits' Heart Attack and Vine has a Cab Calloway style with a mostly spoken lead vocal and a slinky rhythm. Again solid guitar work gives the track a special something but laying the table open for some slick organ work from Chris Stephenson.
Flick's Picks
Memphis Style
Praise Band
FreeWorld
Doc Fangaz & The Remedy
The Boogie Blues Band
Flick's Picks
The Will Tucker Band
Praise Band
Cajin Crawfish fest
FreeWorld
Doc Fangaz & The Remedy
The Boogie Blues Band
Memphis Style
Flick's Picks
The Will Tucker Band
The Boogie Blues Bnad
Praise Band
FreeWorld
The Eric Hughes Band
Doc Fangaz & The Remedy
The Eric Hughes Band
The Boogie Blues Band
The Boogie Blues Band
FreeWorld
Flick's Picks
The Will Tucker Band
FreeWorld
Praise Band
FreeWorld
Doc Fangaz & The Remedy
The Boogie Blues Band
The Boogie Blues Band
Memphis Style
Flick's Picks
The Will Tucker Band
Memphis Style
Praise Band
FreeWorld
Doc Fangaz & The Remedy
Eric Hughes Band
Flick's Picks
The Will Tucker Band
Memphis Style
Praise Band
FreeWorld
Doc Fangaz & The Remedy
Freeworld
Grateful Dead tribute show!!
Flick's Picks
The Will Tucker Band
Praise Band
Doc Fangaz & The Remedy
Will Tucker
Flick's Picks
Will Tucker
Praise Band
FreeWorld
Doc Fangaz & The Remedy
Freeworld
Flick's Picks
The Will Tucker Band
FreeWorld
Praise Band
FreeWorld
Doc Fangaz & the Remedy