Dan Kostelnik

Dan Kostelnik (Hammond B3) is from New Jersey. Apart from extensive schooling on the road he studied piano at William Paterson College with Harold Mabern and also with Rufus Reid.

In the past he has shared the stage with Art Farmer, Jimmy Heath, James Moody, Eddie Gladden, Jeanie Bryson, Peter Bernstein, Louis Hayes, Little Jimmy Scott, Bootsie Barnes, Billy James, Al Foster, Bobby Watson, Chet Atkins and many more.

He knows and plays the different styles of his instrument and integrated them into his own distinct language. His sound is marked by strong statements and a relentless drive.

"Dan Kostelnik's organ work has an engaging breadth, running from the blues grit of Jimmy Smith to the more expansive attitude of Newark native Larry Young, everything underpinned by percolating rhythm.

The Newton resident has grabbed a lot of folks with his stuff, playing with guitarist Bob DeVos, Saxophoninst Connie Lester, backing folks on alternate Tuesdays at the jam at Cecil's Jazz Club in West Orange, and on and on. "

Zan Stewart, Star Ledger (Down Beat, Jazz Times)