Linda Dachtyl’s “Full Steam Ahead” Delivers a Genre-Bending Jazz Journey

Today’s Occhi spotlight shines on Full Steam Ahead, the latest project from the ever-innovative Linda Dachtyl. Known as a dynamic performer, composer, and former adjunct music instructor at Kenyon College and Ohio Wesleyan University, Linda’s musical journey spans jazz, blues, rock, and classical genres. Her deep expertise is backed by a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Performance from Capital University and a Master of Arts in Percussion Pedagogy from The Ohio State University.

With Full Steam Ahead, Linda pays heartfelt homage to the B3 organists and jazz legends who have shaped her artistic path. The album bursts with imaginative, genre-blending arrangements—both original compositions and fresh takes on beloved standards—that highlight the vast scope of her talents and influences.

This marks Dachtyl’s fifth project as a bandleader, following Waves of Change (2024), A Late One (2015), For Hep Cats (2008), and Blue Bop (2006). Critics have praised her artistry, with Ejazznews noting, “Dachtyl extracts such elegance and smooth cool from her keys, and the arrangements offer imaginative flair.” Blues Revue Magazine adds, “Dachtyl has good chops and feel, and she adjusts her tones carefully to evoke elegance or grease as required. There is no sound more beautiful than a Hammond organ played well.”

Linda’s musical curiosity was sparked early on by her parents’ love of world music, drawing her toward exotic sounds and scales. This global influence shines on the track “Caravan,” where her arrangement nods to Ellington’s original, Gene Krupa’s energetic cover, and Middle Eastern musical traditions. Linda’s admiration for Thelonious Monk is ever-present—she includes at least one Monk tune on every recording and performance. On this album, “Think of One” stands out as a personal favorite, alongside her spirited take on “Round Midnight.” The record closes with a swinging, toe-tapping rendition of “April in Paris,” leaving listeners uplifted and inspired.

Full Steam Ahead, like all of Dachtyl’s albums, is released on Chicken Coup Records—the label founded by B3 maestro Tony Monaco—and distributed by Summit Records. Each track is a testament to Linda’s dedication to honoring jazz’s rich legacy while fearlessly pushing creative boundaries.

With Full Steam Ahead, Linda Dachtyl invites listeners on a vibrant journey through jazz’s past, present, and future—one that celebrates tradition, innovation, and the unending joy of musical discovery.