Billy Martin with DJ Logic. Photo by Jake Krolick

MMW drummer Billy Martin and organist Wil Blades first partnered for a one-off appearance in New Orleans. But the musicians’ chemistry was so good they decided to tour and make an album together. Shimmy, their first studio collaboration, is described as “set of organ jazz songs.” The album is slated for release on May 22 via Marco Benevento’s The Royal Potato Family records. Benenvento, of course, knows a thing or two about life in a duo thanks to his work with Joe Russo. Martin and Blades will kick off a tour at Seattle, WA’s The Mix on May 24.