Solo organ jazz records?

[Matthew]

For some reason I got to thinking on this question. I know a ton of solo piano records, solo sax, solo trumbone, solo drum, etc, but I've never heard of a solo jazz organ date. Does anyone know of one?

[Joe G]

I think James Brown did one. I'm not kidding either, although it certainly wouldn't be jazz.

It's funny, a few years back I remember reading about a solo bass recording (it might have been Rob Wasserman). This was when I was just getting out of a rock phase and into jazz. My reaction: Who the f**k would want to listen to that?!?

Of course, about a year later I was over at a friend's house listening to a solo bass record by Dave Holland, and liking it. So I guess the answer was ME!

[sidewinder]

Off the top of my head, Fats Waller put down some nice solo organ sides during a visit to London around 1938/39. I haven't heard these for a long time but it sounded like a theatre organ..

[WD45]

I know that it wasn't solo, but Eddie Louiss plays unaccompanied for decent stretches on both Stan Getz's Dynasty and on the Trio HLP discs.

If anyone could, it would be Eddie.

[brownie]

I've heard Eddy Louiss play solo organ but I don't think he has recorded a solo album.

For organ jazz solos, the only one I know of and would highly recommend is the Jazz Archives CD release 'Young Fats at the Organ' with the Fats Waller organ solos recorded in the late 20s. Have the French RCA Black and White LP reissues of those tracks. Jazz solo organ did not get any better. Love those sides.

[vibes]

Not an entire album, but I believe Jimmy Smith did a few solo organ tracks in the material that is in the Mosaic set.

[Soul Stream]

Jimmy Smith plays "What a Wonderful World" solo on his "Angel Eyes" CD on Verve. Great CD and cut. Many of the other cuts are duos or trios sans drums, so it's pretty close to solo stuff. Vastly overlooked disc.

[brownie]

Eddy Louiss indeed recorded a few solo organ tracks on the hard to find 'Sang Mele' abum from 1987 that was released by the Media 7 label. Never heard that one.

[Claude]

Keith Jarrett recorded two albums on pipe organ, but it can hardly be considered as jazz (can you make such a monster swing?):

Spheres (great AMG review: "among his worst", 3 stars )

Hymns/Spheres (same album, different review)

Invocations

Edited December 3, 2003 by Claude

[brownie]

can you make such a monster swing?

Claude, try to get a listen at Fats Waller's organ sides from the late '20s. Fats tamed the Monster and made it swing mightily

[mikeweil]

There is one by Rhoda Scott, Alone:

Verve Gitanes, but OOP I guess. Maybe she did some more, I dunno.

Jeff Palmer did one too, Outer Limit:

It acn still be ordered from him, I was informed, but only on cassette (remlapjp@yahoo.com)