Ed Alstrom

Itinerant Musician and Musical Disaster Relief Specialist

Ed's YouTube channel has LOTS of music for you -
Click HERE to hear it.

Photo by Chris Drukker

**Ed's new album for 2026, THIS IDEA OF HUMANITY... was released on 2/13/26!**

AVAILABLE NOW on CD! - Purchase HERE
Stream/listen HERE

14 tracks of blues-oriented, all-original material. Ed sings and plays almost all the instruments on this, along with guest spots from old friend Jimmy Vivino (vocals, guitar), Don Guinta (drums), and the brilliant background vocals of
Ula Hedwig, Meredith Greenberg, and Maxine Alstrom.

AND THEY'RE SAYING: ‘This blues album is driven through a different neighborhood than most blues, since Ed Alstrom uses a Hammond organ. Last year, Ed scored with his self-produced debut album. With this new collection, Alstrom is said to offer a compelling musical vision of the humanity he tolerates with humor & compassion. I agree. That’s what this showcase shines with.’ - John Apice, Americana Highways’

His songs are intricately crafted visions of humanity, and his raw vocals enhance the lyrical moral stories. Ed's majestic organ playing is present throughout the album’ - Attila Horvath, BluesVan

’This Idea of Humanity stands as both a personal statement and a thoughtful message to the world.’ - Richard Ludmerer, Making A Scene’

'Ed Alstrom is a musician who found the secret key to the ability of Hammonds to set people in the right direction of desire. The man has progressed to be a savant, and continues to discover new places to spread the truth.’ - Bill Bentley, Bentley’s Bandstand

"This Idea Of Humanity" offers plenty to music fans everywhere: inventive and colorful songwriting, riveting and irresistible musicianship, multi-colored vocals, framed with excitement, humor, compassion, and buckets of soul. Authentic, honest, and powerful, Ed Alstrom makes music that feels like a personal conversation between him and the listener. Ed Alstrom reminds all of us that no matter the hardship, we can sing, we can sway, and we can overcome. Pull up and stay awhile. Ed Alstrom and "This Idea Of Humanity" gift us with musical experiences that are just too good to hurry through. - John Muller - Blue Notes and Conversations

As I do with every album I receive for review, I listened to This Idea Of Humanity in full, before reading the accompanying one-sheet. Once I did get around to reading it, I knew exactly why I kept thinking that I was listening to a Hammond organ god. The more I read, the clearer it became. - Peter "Blewzzman" Lauro, Mary4Music

'This Idea Of Humanity, with its striking content, is actually intended for all of you who love good, quality music. After all, if you are willing, just simply embark on this truly joyful and interesting musical ride – a journey, I am sure you will not regret it.’ - Mladen (Mike) Lončar, Poprock, Croatia

Imagine, if you will, a cross between Georgie Fame, Jon Cleary, Ray Charles and Dr John with accents of baseball and cocktail lounges. If you could blend those elements, you might have Ed Alstrom. He is a serious talent and his organ playing, piano and songwriting have him in the top tier of current Blues musicians. The album is a fine listen, full of music that is well worth the listen and bears repeated experiences. - Andy Snipper, Blues Matters

Ed's 2025 album 'Flee Though None Pursue' is still out there!
#15 on the 2025 RMR (ROOTS MUSIC REPORT) TOP 200, and #1 on the JAZZY BLUES chart!
BUY IT NOW! - CLICK HERE or on the pic below

18 tracks of mostly (but not all!) blues-oriented, all-original material. Ed sings and plays almost all the instruments on this, along with Don Guinta, Frank Pagano and Dennis Diken on drums, fabulous featured guest spots from Robert Hill (guitar), Rob Paparozzi (harmonica), and Jerry Vivino (saxophones), and the brilliant background vocals of Ula Hedwig.
'Flee Though None Pursue' was released for streaming worldwide on 1/13/25. Under the 'MORE' tab above is a separate tab with everything you need on just the album!

If you want to buy a CD: https://store.spinneymedia.com/products/ed-alstrom-flee-though-none-pursue-cd

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ARTICLES!

PINSTRIPEALLEY.COM did a piece on Ed!
PINSTRIPESNATION.COM did a piece!
Ed 's Alma Mater, Westminster Choir College (via Rider University) did a piece!
TAPINTO.NET , too!

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ED'S MUSIC VIDEO, masterminded by Robert Hill: 'DON'T CRY AT MY FUNERAL' On YouTube NOW!!
https://youtu.be/pYgTuHpLOw8?si=TXH1RjJ77Q-qMAdG

AND GIGS!!!
Ed is in his 23rd season as WEEKEND ORGANIST at YANKEE STADIUM! He plays at home games every Saturday and Sunday, and an occasional weeknight.
Yankees game info here: https://www.mlb.com/yankees/schedule/2026-04

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THE WONDER TRIO!
Ed Alstrom (organ), Al Orlo (guitar), Bobby Deitch (drums).
We play all Stevie Wonder tunes, instrumentally!

THURSDAY, JULY 9, 2026 - 7:00 - 9:00p - $25.00 admission

"Jazz in the Garden" at Edward Hopper House Museum & Study Center82 N Broadway, Nyack, NY 10960

https://www.edwardhopperhouse.org/calendar.html

Obviously, Stevie’s music is even more fun to play than it is to listen to. This group does a mix of the hits and some lesser known things, without the vocals, and it doesn’t hurt the music one bit not to have them, because they’ll be playing in your mind!

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ED SOLO at the CLOVERLEAF TAVERN

Friday, July 10, 7-10 pm

CLOVERLEAF TAVERN
395 Bloomfield Ave, Caldwell, NJ 07006
www.cloverleaftavern.comPhone: (973) 226-9812

Ed solo at this venerable and fun institution! A mix of pop, rock, jazz and blues, to go with award-winning burgers and beers and a great vibe.

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ED SOLO at LA FAMIGLIA
Wednesday, July 29, 6:30 - 9pm
359 Bloomfield Ave, Caldwell, NJ 07006 - 973-226-3049
www.lafamigliaristorantepizzeria.com

Just reopened! Amazing pepperoni pizza with hot honey! And Ed banging out your (and his) favorites. BYOBs. NO cover!

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ED SOLO at SUSHI CAFE

Thursday, July 30, 6-8pm
(and the last Thursday of most months, 6-8pm)

SUSHI CAFE - 555 Passaic Ave, West Caldwell, NJ
(973) 403-7720
www.sushicafewestcaldwell.com

Ed plays/sings all kinds of stuff solo at this lovely Sushi restaurant on the last Thursday of almost every month. Great Japanese food of all types. BYOBs. NO cover! DO make reservations for this one!

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PRESENTATIONS!

YANKEE BASEBALL: FROM THE (ORGAN) BENCH
with Ed Alstrom (unless otherwise indicated)

RECENT/UPCOMING PRESENTATIONS (All presentations are at the town libraries unless otherwise indicated and are free of charge. Go to the library's/venue's website for more details/registration):

2026 Scheduled Presentations: Old Tappan Public Library, NJ - Sunday 3/1, 1:30pm
Englewood Library, NJ, Wednesday 3/31, 7pm
Ramsey Library, NJ, Sunday 4/26, 2pm
Edison Library, NJ, Monday 5/18, 7pm
ALSO several presentations at senior facilities, religious organizations, private clubs, etc.

2025 Library Presentations:
Totowa, NJ - Tue 3/11/25 615p,
Wayne, NJ - Wed 3/12/25, 1230p
Mendham, NJ - Wed 3/19, 630p
Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ (St. Bartholomew's Church) - Su 3/23, 3p
Northvale, NJ - Tu 3/25, 630p
Wallington, NJ - Wed 3/26, 630p
North Haledon, NJ - Tu 4/15/25, 130a
Cliffside Pk, NJ - Sat 4/19, 2p
Wyckoff, NJ - Wed 4/23, 7p
Waldwick, NJ - Wed 4/30, 7p
Ossining, NY - Wed. 5/14, 7p
Verona, NJ - Tue. 6/24, 630p
Lavalette, NJ - Tue 7/8, 7p
Raritan, NJ - Tue 7/29, 6p
Nanuet, NY - Thu 8/7, 7p
Fairfield, NJ - Mon 8/11, 530p 'Sounds of the Season' Organ Concert
Ramsey, NJ - Sun 8/17, 2p - 'Sounds of the Season Concert Garfield, NJ - Wed. 11/5, 630p
Montville, NJ - Sat. 11/8, 2p - Music of the 50s/60s/70s
Roseland, NJ - Mon, 11/10, 6p

Ed Alstrom is in his 23rd season as the Organist at Yankee Stadium. In this breezy and fun hour-long presentation, he talks about that job, demonstrate how it gets done, and tells stories about his fabulous experiences at the Stadium!

The 'Sounds Of The Season' organ concerts are more music and less talking, with Ed playing a lot of his favorites from the Stadium.

Like to have these presentations at your library or other venue? Drop me an email and we'll talk!

ed@edalstrom.com

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ED ALSTROM
at the RAINBOW ROOM WURLITZER THEATER ORGAN
'IT WAS 60 YEARS AGO TODAY - THE HITS OF 1965'
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 4 , 2:00 p.m.

RAHWAY SENIOR CENTER
1306 Esterbrook Avenue, Rahway, NJ

HEAR IT HERE:
https://youtu.be/z70Itg7HVJU

YOU CAN HEAR LAST YEAR'S 1964 CONCERT HERE:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fGQqvkV9rc&t=540s

I am always grateful to be back behind the cockpit of this amazing historic instrument! It is quite literally a baby "Mighty Wurlitzer", and has a sound that defies description, especially if you've never heard one in action. It is a fire-breathing, 3-manual, 10-rank monster of a pipe organ that was originally installed at the Rainbow Room at Rockefeller Center in NYC in 1934.
This model R16 is one of only two ever made by the Wurlitzer company (the other was installed at the Ambassador Theater in L.A. in 1929). This organ is in its 4th home at the Rahway Senior Center now, and it is all-original and has been lovingly restored piece by piece by the GARDEN STATE THEATER ORGAN SOCIETY (more info on them and the organ itself at www.gstos.org). I did the inaugural recital on this instrument in 2012.

1965 was an amazing and very diverse year in popular music. The number one song of the year was 'Wooly Bully', even though it never actually hit number one on the charts! I will be playing through as many of the Top 100 hits as possible within the hour or so time framework.

ONGOING/GOINGS-ON

What's Alstrom up to?

Ed is the Former Organist/Director of Music at CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, Montclair, NJ, RETIRED 8/17/25.

At this beautiful and historic church in the heart of Montclair, Ed was playing their magnificent E.M. Skinner/Austin pipe organ, his Hammond X-66, and their Steinway piano, directing their choirs, and facilitating greater congregational and community involvement in the music program from 2016-2025.

Hear that music by clicking HERE

CENTRAL PRESBYETRIAN CHURCH
46 Park St. (corner of Claremont),
Montclair, NJ 07042
www.centralpresbyterian.net

Ed is Accompanist and Choir Director at TEMPLE NER TAMID in Bloomfield, NJ

At this fabulous and highly spiritual schul, Ed plays guitar and piano accompanying the brilliant Cantor Meredith Greenberg, and directs the choirs for holidays and special occasions. Services are Friday evenings and Saturday mornings, in season.

Temple Ner Tamid
936 Broad Street
Bloomfield, NJ 07003
www.nertamid.org

Ed as Weekend Organist at YANKEE STADIUM!

Ed is in his 23nd season at the MIghty HAMMOND ELEGANTE at YANKEE STADIUM, on Saturdays, Sundays, and some weekdays here and there. A 15-minute spot about an hour before game time, and of course, rousing renditions of "Happy Birthday" in the middle of the 6th, and "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" in the middle of the 7th (all 45,000 fans singing along!).

Info about the team, of course, is at www.yankees.com

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