Your favourite "minor" organists

[Soulstation1]

shirley scott is still underated in my books

[Joe]

Sonny Phillips (also a fine painist) and Leon Spencer.

[7/4]

Sun Ra (Atlantis, anyone???)

Doh! Why didn't I think of da Sonny???

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

shirley scott is still underated in my books

Well, I put her in the list of the dozen most important; do you think lots of people wouldn't agree with that?

MG

[relyles]

Matthias Bätzel

Kyle Koehler

Edited January 27, 2006 by relyles

[Jazz Kat]

George Colligan

[paul secor]

Kyle Koehler

Good to see Kyle Koehler mentioned. He plays some good organ on Dom Minasi's Quick Response. I'd like to hear more of his playing.

I'd like to add Steve Corn's name. He played some nice stuff on Paul Plummer & Ron Enyard's Trio and Quartet (Quixotic).

[Peter Friedman]

Mel Rhyne, Eddy Louiss, Sam Yahel, Larry Goldings

[relyles]

Kyle Koehler

Good to see Kyle Koehler mentioned. He plays some good organ on Dom Minasi's Quick Response. I'd like to hear more of his playing.

The Minasi recording was my first exposure. I believe he may have also did some touring with Lou Donaldson.

[CJ Shearn]

I'll second Butch Cornell. Gary Versace is another one, as is Barbara Dennerlein, only heard some clips, but she is really interesting in her approach.

[fasstrack]

I wanted to mention a guy I was playing with before his death in 2002: Bobby Forrester. I knew him from around before that and knew he was the guy I wanted on organ if I was gonna go that route. I formed a group with him, Jerry Weldon on tenor (they were very tight, going back years) and Rudy Petschauer, drums. We had exactly one gig and one rehearsal and it's too bad it didn't go any further because it really would have been more than good.

I'm not sure why Bobby flew under the radar in the jazz world, but anyway he always worked---and with great players and singers. Everyone that hired him loved him.

Here's why, in my estimation: He had as good a feel as anyone I ever heard or played with; he could swing most guys under the table (when he locked up with a good drummer, look out); if he didn't know every tune ever written he came damn close, and if he didn't know something you called he had it within a chorus; he was dedicated to making you and your team sound great; he burned the midnight oil to learn my material and came to the gig pumped and ready to give his all. He played behind me on that one gig on "Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most" so beautifully it gave me chills, and I'll never forget it. (We were cancelled after that first week. Old story....). Beyond that all I can say is I enjoyed the hell out of his solos. Also, we did one gig with him on paino and no bass, just me on guitar and a trumpet player---and the time and feel were so happening I never missed a bass. Finally, he was an old-school. no-bullshit musician of a breed that's dying fast. He learned it on the bandstand, and knew it inside out. If you see any recordings with him on it, grab them. You won't be sorry.

Edited February 12, 2006 by fasstrack

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

I wanted to mention a guy I was playing with before his death in 2002: Bobby Forrester. I knew him from around before that and knew he was the guy I wanted on organ if I was gonna go that route. I formed a group with him, Jerry Weldon on tenor (they were very tight, going back years) and Rudy Petschauer, drums. We had exactly one gig and one rehearsal and it's too bad it didn't go any further because it really would have been more than good.

I'm not sure why Bobby flew under the radar in the jazz world, but anyway he always worked---and with great players and singers. Everyone that hired him loved him.

Here's why, in my estimation: He had as good a feel as anyone I ever heard or played with; he could swing most guys under the table (when he locked up with a good drummer, look out); if he didn't know every tune ever written he came damn close, and if he didn't know something you called he had it within a chorus; he was dedicated to making you and your team sound great; he burned the midnight oil to learn my material and came to the gig pumped and ready to give his all. He played behind me on that one gig on "Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most" so beautifully it gave me chills, and I'll never forget it. (We were cancelled after that first week. Old story....). Beyond that all I can say is I enjoyed the hell out of his solos. Also, we did one gig with him on paino and no bass, just me on guitar and a trumpet player---and the time and feel were so happening I never missed a bass. Finally, he was an old-school. no-bullshit musician of a breed that's dying fast. He learned it on the bandstand, and knew it inside out. If you see any recordings with him on it, grab them. You won't be sorry.

You're right Fasstrack. I don't know why he didn't appear in my original list up at the front of the thread. I have his "Organic chemistry" album and love it. I also love the work he did with Ruth Brown and Irene Reid. He made and LP for Dobre in the late 70s, which I wish I had, too. But he didn't make nearly as many records as someone of his talent should have.

MG

[bertrand]

Andrew Hill

Bill Heid

Bertrand.

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

Andrew Hill

Bill Heid

Bertrand.

Bill's very interesting, isn't he?

Didn't know Andrew Hill played organ. Does he play it in the same style as piano?

Don Pullen is another pianist who also plays some organ - but his organ playing is completely different from his piano playing. I like his organ work with Charles Wiliams and Maceo Parker very much.

MG

[kinuta]

'The Exciting New Organ Of Don Patterson', with Booker Ervin, is an lp I often used to play.

It's since been issued on one of the 'Legends Of Acid Jazz' series. I've listened to almost all his subsequent work but, for me at least, nothing compares with the level of intensity of the debut lp.

[sidewinder]

How about German organist Ingfried Hoffmann? Made some recordings with Klaus Doldinger back in the 1960s in a Jimmy Smith-ish style. Wonder what became of him?

Edited February 12, 2006 by sidewinder

[fasstrack]

I wanted to mention a guy I was playing with before his death in 2002: Bobby Forrester. I knew him from around before that and knew he was the guy I wanted on organ if I was gonna go that route. I formed a group with him, Jerry Weldon on tenor (they were very tight, going back years) and Rudy Petschauer, drums. We had exactly one gig and one rehearsal and it's too bad it didn't go any further because it really would have been more than good.

I'm not sure why Bobby flew under the radar in the jazz world, but anyway he always worked---and with great players and singers. Everyone that hired him loved him.

Here's why, in my estimation: He had as good a feel as anyone I ever heard or played with; he could swing most guys under the table (when he locked up with a good drummer, look out); if he didn't know every tune ever written he came damn close, and if he didn't know something you called he had it within a chorus; he was dedicated to making you and your team sound great; he burned the midnight oil to learn my material and came to the gig pumped and ready to give his all. He played behind me on that one gig on "Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most" so beautifully it gave me chills, and I'll never forget it. (We were cancelled after that first week. Old story....). Beyond that all I can say is I enjoyed the hell out of his solos. Also, we did one gig with him on paino and no bass, just me on guitar and a trumpet player---and the time and feel were so happening I never missed a bass. Finally, he was an old-school. no-bullshit musician of a breed that's dying fast. He learned it on the bandstand, and knew it inside out. If you see any recordings with him on it, grab them. You won't be sorry.

You're right Fasstrack. I don't know why he didn't appear in my original list up at the front of the thread. I have his "Organic chemistry" album and love it. I also love the work he did with Ruth Brown and Irene Reid. He made and LP for Dobre in the late 70s, which I wish I had, too. But he didn't make nearly as many records as someone of his talent should have.

MG

What was the name of that record on Dobre? Good label. They also recorded Ray Crawford, the guitarist.

I have Organic Chemistry. They really spank "Undecided" on that one. I've known William Ash since he was 14. He's a freaky player, one of the most natural guitar players. That was a nice group with Bubba Brooks and Tootsie Bean. They worked a lot at Smalls under William's name. I heard them there.

Guys, let me know what other good recordings of Bobby's are still obtainable. There are two with him and Jerry, and like I said they had a great chemistry. They were like brothers. The one I have is Five by Five (damn, it's Jerry's. I gotta remind him I have it!). I forget the other title, but they're both on Cat's Paw, a tiny indie on Long Island. I also know Bobby worked with Stanley T., but don't know if they recorded. He's also on a few cuts of a fairly recent and terrific recording by Gloria Lynne: This One's on Me.

Edited February 12, 2006 by fasstrack

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

I wanted to mention a guy I was playing with before his death in 2002: Bobby Forrester. I knew him from around before that and knew he was the guy I wanted on organ if I was gonna go that route. I formed a group with him, Jerry Weldon on tenor (they were very tight, going back years) and Rudy Petschauer, drums. We had exactly one gig and one rehearsal and it's too bad it didn't go any further because it really would have been more than good.

I'm not sure why Bobby flew under the radar in the jazz world, but anyway he always worked---and with great players and singers. Everyone that hired him loved him.

Here's why, in my estimation: He had as good a feel as anyone I ever heard or played with; he could swing most guys under the table (when he locked up with a good drummer, look out); if he didn't know every tune ever written he came damn close, and if he didn't know something you called he had it within a chorus; he was dedicated to making you and your team sound great; he burned the midnight oil to learn my material and came to the gig pumped and ready to give his all. He played behind me on that one gig on "Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most" so beautifully it gave me chills, and I'll never forget it. (We were cancelled after that first week. Old story....). Beyond that all I can say is I enjoyed the hell out of his solos. Also, we did one gig with him on paino and no bass, just me on guitar and a trumpet player---and the time and feel were so happening I never missed a bass. Finally, he was an old-school. no-bullshit musician of a breed that's dying fast. He learned it on the bandstand, and knew it inside out. If you see any recordings with him on it, grab them. You won't be sorry.

You're right Fasstrack. I don't know why he didn't appear in my original list up at the front of the thread. I have his "Organic chemistry" album and love it. I also love the work he did with Ruth Brown and Irene Reid. He made and LP for Dobre in the late 70s, which I wish I had, too. But he didn't make nearly as many records as someone of his talent should have.

MG

What was the name of that record on Dobre? Good label. They also recorded Ray Crawford, the guitarist.

I have Organic Chemistry. They really spank "Undecided" on that one. I've known William Ash since he was 14. He's a freaky player, one of the most natural guitar players. That was a nice group with Bubba Brooks and Tootsie Beam. They worked a lot at Smalls under William's name. I heard them there.

Guys, let me know what other good recordings of Bobby's are still obtainable. There are two with him and Jerry, and like I said they had a great chemistry. They were like brothers. The one I have is Five by Five (damn, it's Jerry's. I gotta remind him I have it!). I forget the other title, but they're both on Cat's Paw, a tiny indie on Long Island. I also know Bobby worked with Stanley T., but don't know if they recorded. He's also on a few cuts of a fairly recent and terrific recording by Gloria Lynne: This one's on me.

I've got the Gloria Lynne; Bobby makes her version of Kenny Burrell's "All day long" simply wonderful.

I've just started looking Bobby up in the All Music Guide and the first thing I noticed was he did an album with Frank Wess: "Going Wess" - Town Crier 518, which is theoretically still available. Putting that on my (endless) list.

MG

[fasstrack]

I wanted to mention a guy I was playing with before his death in 2002: Bobby Forrester. I knew him from around before that and knew he was the guy I wanted on organ if I was gonna go that route. I formed a group with him, Jerry Weldon on tenor (they were very tight, going back years) and Rudy Petschauer, drums. We had exactly one gig and one rehearsal and it's too bad it didn't go any further because it really would have been more than good.

I'm not sure why Bobby flew under the radar in the jazz world, but anyway he always worked---and with great players and singers. Everyone that hired him loved him.

Here's why, in my estimation: He had as good a feel as anyone I ever heard or played with; he could swing most guys under the table (when he locked up with a good drummer, look out); if he didn't know every tune ever written he came damn close, and if he didn't know something you called he had it within a chorus; he was dedicated to making you and your team sound great; he burned the midnight oil to learn my material and came to the gig pumped and ready to give his all. He played behind me on that one gig on "Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most" so beautifully it gave me chills, and I'll never forget it. (We were cancelled after that first week. Old story....). Beyond that all I can say is I enjoyed the hell out of his solos. Also, we did one gig with him on paino and no bass, just me on guitar and a trumpet player---and the time and feel were so happening I never missed a bass. Finally, he was an old-school. no-bullshit musician of a breed that's dying fast. He learned it on the bandstand, and knew it inside out. If you see any recordings with him on it, grab them. You won't be sorry.

You're right Fasstrack. I don't know why he didn't appear in my original list up at the front of the thread. I have his "Organic chemistry" album and love it. I also love the work he did with Ruth Brown and Irene Reid. He made and LP for Dobre in the late 70s, which I wish I had, too. But he didn't make nearly as many records as someone of his talent should have.

MG

What was the name of that record on Dobre? Good label. They also recorded Ray Crawford, the guitarist.

I have Organic Chemistry. They really spank "Undecided" on that one. I've known William Ash since he was 14. He's a freaky player, one of the most natural guitar players. That was a nice group with Bubba Brooks and Tootsie Beam. They worked a lot at Smalls under William's name. I heard them there.

Guys, let me know what other good recordings of Bobby's are still obtainable. There are two with him and Jerry, and like I said they had a great chemistry. They were like brothers. The one I have is Five by Five (damn, it's Jerry's. I gotta remind him I have it!). I forget the other title, but they're both on Cat's Paw, a tiny indie on Long Island. I also know Bobby worked with Stanley T., but don't know if they recorded. He's also on a few cuts of a fairly recent and terrific recording by Gloria Lynne: This one's on me.

I've got the Gloria Lynne; Bobby makes her version of Kenny Burrell's "All day long" simply wonderful.

I've just started looking Bobby up in the All Music Guide and the first thing I noticed was he did an album with Frank Wess: "Going Wess" - Town Crier 518, which is theoretically still available. Putting that on my (endless) list.

MG

Yeah, I've seen that CD (Going Wess) at the library. They're all wearing tuxes on the cover, right? Or maybe I dreamed it....Thanks for reminding me. I love the way Gloria sings "When Autumn comes" on that CD, BTW. And Rodney Jones did a nice job arranging. In fact I'm gonna put that on now.

[birdanddizzy]

My favourites :

Lou Bennett

Eddy Louiss

Lonnie Smith

Emmanuel Bex

[Soul Stream]

I heard a lot about Bobby Forrester from Adam Scone, who said Bobby was his favorite NYC organist to go watch. Also sat in with Bobby's longtime drummer Tootsie Bean and a tenor player at Showman's lounge right after Bobby's death. Guess Bobby had been playing that gig for a long time and they were still limping along with fill-in organists. You could tell the tenor player was bummed and missing Bobby, he said Bobby was THE a-list go to organist in NYC...knew every tune ever written, huge ears, swung hard, on and on.

I also heard this same sort of story concerning the great but mostly unknown Billy Gardner. Supposedly in the 60's he had ALL the organ gigs wrapped up in NYC.

[JSngry]

James Brown. Limited finger technique, but he could freak on the organ with what he had.

[Joe G]

James Brown. Limited finger technique, but he could freak on the organ with what he had.

Oh man, well... interesting note choices, that's fer sure!

[Jim Alfredson]

James, leave that poor organ alone! You oughta be ashamed of yourself!

[nemo7]

miles davis