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Hammond Organ Heads - Was Fats Waller The First Artist Who Popularized The Instrument? I'm trying to find old non-classical recordings of the instrument, so far Fats Waller is the only person I could come up with. Am I missing somebody else?
I guess my question should be, whats the FIRST non-classical song that ever used an organ? [Edited 8/7/11 18:23pm] | |
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I'd think it's fair to say.... slowly yes. Your speaking of Hammond organ only right?
Fats Waller played on RCA organ pipes on many of his earlier organ recordings, I think the first time he recorded on an Hammond Electirc Organ was the, "Jitterbug Waltz". Waller taught Count Basie how to play the organ... check out the Count's organ play on "Live and Love Tonight". I know that Waller made some recording over in Europe and they weren't on an Hammond.
Did Waller popularize the organ or was he the first to pull in out of the church, into jazz clubs and record. Yes. In my opinion those who followed Charles Kynard, Wild Bill Davis, and of course Jimmy Smith popularized the organ in a way Waller never did. I would add... the Golden Age for the organ started in the early 50's.....
=========================================== [Edited 8/8/11 4:45am] | |
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What a great thread idea! "Ya see, we're not interested in what you know...but what you are willing to learn. C'mon y'all." | |
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They certainly shed some light on the instrument, I was inclined to post these songs but I went with Fats for the fact that he came before them...
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Count Basie Orchestra (Basie on organ) accompanying Judy Garland "Ya see, we're not interested in what you know...but what you are willing to learn. C'mon y'all." | |
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A couple from the man who inspired Jimmy Smith, Wild Bill Davis... "Ya see, we're not interested in what you know...but what you are willing to learn. C'mon y'all." | |
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An early adopter Milt Buckner... "Ya see, we're not interested in what you know...but what you are willing to learn. C'mon y'all." | |
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Lou Bennett... "Ya see, we're not interested in what you know...but what you are willing to learn. C'mon y'all." | |
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That was so beautiful and touching.
I knew that The Count used to be Fats' buddy back when they used to play organ for the old movie theaters(Thank you, Ken Burns!) but I never heard him play the instrument. For somebody who mastered the "less is more" tradition, I was pleasantly surprised by this.
Is there a compilation that features Count Basie fully on organ? | |
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I also believe Ray Charles features the instrument in a couple of his early Atlantic recordings | |
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The reason why I'm talking shit and not posting clips of those songs is because they're not in youtube 
Can't forget the ladies. "Ya see, we're not interested in what you know...but what you are willing to learn. C'mon y'all." | |
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[img:$uid]http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51h23pRuu3L._SL500_AA300_.jpg[/img:$uid] "Ya see, we're not interested in what you know...but what you are willing to learn. C'mon y'all." | |
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Time for "The Champ", Jimmy Smith... "Ya see, we're not interested in what you know...but what you are willing to learn. C'mon y'all." | |
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I actually have that "Jimmy Smith @ The Organ" album. His rendition of "I Cover The Waterfront" got to be one of the most moving and haunting versions ever. Not the perfect analogy, but I'm inclined to put his version head to head with Lady Day's live performance of the song from Carnegie Hall(of the same year).
One of the classic breaks.... | |
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Not to mention.... | |
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I found it!! Here's a MYSPACE page dedicated to jazz organist of the 50's who made the Hammond hummmm.
http://www.myspace.com/ja...2151181%7D
Brotha Ray playing the organ: album, Genius + Soul = Jazz - iTunes, Amazon.
I've been mad busy but I'll be back with a list of jazz organinst must albums; I've tried to upload some music (a dozen or so) onto YouTube but they've been blocked.
[Edited 8/8/11 16:27pm] | |
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Most of these cats were there doing the 50's.... 
I was going to suggest GENUIUS + SOUL = JAZZ , but TD3 beat me to it.
Yep, found that out when I went hunting for something by organist Les Strand. Jimmy Smith called him "The Art Tatum of the organ". Even the music services are lacking when it comes to non-mainstream material. And especially when it comes Jazz.
Music for adventurous listeners [Edited 8/8/11 18:09pm] "Ya see, we're not interested in what you know...but what you are willing to learn. C'mon y'all." | |
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Gene Ludwig... "Ya see, we're not interested in what you know...but what you are willing to learn. C'mon y'all." | |
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Just so anyone following along knows what's being discussed...
Nice cut from Mr. McGriff.
Music for adventurous listeners "Ya see, we're not interested in what you know...but what you are willing to learn. C'mon y'all." | |
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Very nice.
Here's another great resource I found, Jazz Organ History written by Geoff Alexander: http://www.afana.org/jazzorgan.htm
He points to Fats Waller as the spearhead in his "genealogy" chart.
Music for adventurous listeners [Edited 8/8/11 18:55pm] "Ya see, we're not interested in what you know...but what you are willing to learn. C'mon y'all." | |
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Here's another great resource I found, Jazz Organ History written by Geoff Alexander:
Thank tA, I can't wait to read throught this treasure trove. | |
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I've died and gone to organ heaven history... Neal & Trina, you have no idea what ya'll have just done | |
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You're both most welcome, but we're just getting started. "Ya see, we're not interested in what you know...but what you are willing to learn. C'mon y'all." | |
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^^^
I probably wouldn't recognize the distinction had you not pointed it out
Time to change the pace, what are the EARLIEST classical recordings that feature a hammond organ? | |
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Just in case ya'll wanna really get deep. Hammond Virtual Museum
I think some jazz organist such as Wild Billy Davis may have played an Hammond C3... it's easy to assume all players played the B3. I'll checkout the link tA provided to learn what gear these gents and ladies played.
Another thing....
I was thinking about Holiday and Washington videos Harle posted; the only album I can recall Sarah Vaughan recording with an jazz organist (Ernie Freeman) was, 'Sarah Sings Soulfully' (1963). I'm certain all three ladies record companies suggested they record with the instrument since it had grown in popularity.
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Thanks babydoll!
I was about to orgnote you a question about whether Sassy got accompanied by an organist or not. | |
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That's definitely a tougher assignment. Their instrument of choice is generally either a pipe organ or some non-Hammond variety.
Music for adventurous listeners
"Ya see, we're not interested in what you know...but what you are willing to learn. C'mon y'all." | |
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Nice link.
Along with C-3s, there are a lot of A-100s being played also.
Ella did an album...
[img:$uid]http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/drd800/d816/d81634v3gqb.jpg[/img:$uid]
...Lady Time
Jackie Davis - Organ Louis Bellson - drums
Music for adventurous listeners "Ya see, we're not interested in what you know...but what you are willing to learn. C'mon y'all." | |
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Nice line up. I'm listening to Amazon's samples while posting.
Organ is the one instrument I'd rather hear in a minimalist setting as opposed to a full produced setting. Hell, in this case I don't think it will need production given that Miss Ella's voice can provide more than a production.
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Wow, what the hell did you just lay on me, Ms.Trina?
Going through Sassy's music is like peeling an onion without the smell. Everytime I thought I got her stuff covered, I wind up with things I was unaware of.
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