Att Organ Mavens

[AllenLowe]

from an interview with Georgia Tom Dorsey (the old blues/gosepl guy, not the trombone player/bandleader):

on First Church of the Deliverance (a Chicago Church): quoted from historical sources:

"First Church was one of the first African American churches to broadcast its services on the radio, beginning in 1934. Rev Cobbs hired Kenneth Morris to be his gospel choir director. Morris...introduced the Hammond electric organ to gospel music."

is this signifcant in organ history? I've never heard reference to it before -

Edited December 8, 2005 by AllenLowe

[Jim Alfredson]

1934 is pretty early for Hammonds. I think the very first ones were introduced to the world at the 1930 World's Fair in NYC. So it doesn't seem out of sorts.

[AllenLowe]

I just wonder if this can be traced to the early use of it in jazz - where was Jimmy Smith from?

Edited December 8, 2005 by AllenLowe

[Jim Alfredson]

Philly. It makes sense that this would be in Chicago, however, because the Hammond Organ Co. was located on Michigan Ave in Chicago. Jimmy Smith didn't get started on organ until the mid-50s, by which time the Hammond was everywhere, especially black churches due to it being an inexpensive alternative to a real pipe organ.

[Ron S]

I think the very first ones were introduced to the world at the 1930 World's Fair in NYC.

1939 World's Fair.

[Jim Alfredson]

D'oh, you're right! That's what I get for another night of no sleep. Damn, 1934 is pretty early, then. Hammond must've just invented it.

[Jim Alfredson]

Then again, re-reading the quote, it doesn't necessarily mean that specifically in 1934 Morris introduced the Hammond organ to gospel. It just means he was hired in 1934.

I seem to remember that the Hammond model A was unveiled in 1935.

[couw]

I seem to remember that the Hammond model A was unveiled in 1935.

from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hammond_organ

The Hammond organ is an electric organ which was designed and built by Laurens Hammond in April 1935.

Edited December 8, 2005 by couw

[Soulstation1]

i see on the internet

The Hammond tone wheel organ was first introduced by Laurens Hammond in April 1935