The Jazz Organ Fellowship is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) membership organization dedicated to the preservation of Jazz Organ music through live and recorded presentations, educational seminars and community outreach programs
The Jazz Organ Fellowship's Eighth Annual Tribute took place Sunday, August 14, 2016 as part of the 27th annual San Jose Jazz Summer Fest. This event was held in downtown San Jose at the Jade Leaf Lounge located on 95 South Market Street.
Here's a short clip done by our videographer, Matt Rogers: https://vimeo.com/179783950
This year we honored Ronnie Foster and bestowed upon him our JOF Award. Ronnie brought his current trio: Jake Langley on guitar and Jess Gopen on drums. Organist Wil Blades opened our show using guitarist Kai Lyons and drummer Simon Lott. Charles McNeal sat-in with Ronnie on one tune. The night proved to be a 'Shot-in-the-Arm' for the Jazz Organ lovers who were there. Ronnie nailed it to the wall!
Ronnie Foster was also inducted into our Jazz Organ Fellowship Hall of Fame... along with three tremendous jazz organists who have recently passed: Beverly Pitts, Loretta Whyte and Keith Emerson.
Here's a short clip done by our videographer, Matt Rogers: https://vimeo.com/179783950
This year we honored Ronnie Foster and bestowed upon him our JOF Award. Ronnie brought his current trio: Jake Langley on guitar and Jess Gopen on drums. Organist Wil Blades opened our show using guitarist Kai Lyons and drummer Simon Lott. Charles McNeal sat-in with Ronnie on one tune. The night proved to be a 'Shot-in-the-Arm' for the Jazz Organ lovers who were there. Ronnie nailed it to the wall!
Ronnie Foster was also inducted into our Jazz Organ Fellowship Hall of Fame... along with three tremendous jazz organists who have recently passed: Beverly Pitts, Loretta Whyte and Keith Emerson.
Beverly Pitts
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Loretta Whyte
Keith Emerson
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We are now in the very early stages of planning for our Ninth Annual Jazz Organ Fellowship Tribute and here's how YOU can help:
Several Jazz Organists have already been 'nominated' by faithful Jazz Organ fans:
Brian Auger (LA),
Amina Claudine Myers (NYC)
Doug Carn (St. Augustine, FL)
Dr. James Polk (Austin, TX)
Billy Nunn (Las Vegas, NV)
Danny Hawkins (Oakland, CA)
and Barbara Dennerlein (Munich, Germany).
We ask that you email us at jazzorganfellowship@gmail.com with your vote. Let us know if you would like to see one of these jazz organists receive the JOF Award in 2017 OR if you have a suggestion of your own. The JOF Board of Directors will go with the Jazz Organist garnering the most votes.
We would also like to hear who you would like to have JOF induct into our Jazz Organ Fellowship Hall of Fame. Remember these must be Jazz Organists who have passed but left behind their mark in the music world. So far, we have the following:
Butch Cornell
Bernie Worrell
and Lady Byron (Evelyn Childress).
Thanks, in advance, for your support!
Remember that your donations are tax deductible and go directly
into the operational costs and educational needs of students who wish to study
Jazz Organ … as well as actually hear the legends of Jazz Organ first hand.
Please help if you can – Click our DONATE button below and send your tax-deductible contributions safely and conveniently through PayPal
Jazz Organ music is an American phenomenon, pure and simple. An identifiable 'Jazz Organ sound' was standardized - thanks to Jimmy Smith - on an American-made, electro-mechanical device called the Hammond organ with the help of a sound modification device (also American-made) called the Leslie Tone cabinet.
Unlike most other instrumental music embraced by our society, Jazz Organ music has received much less attention through the years. This music has been met with more apathy than support from writers, record producers, music promoters, club owners and educators. Educational institutions have provided minimal opportunities for young jazz organists to learn and develop those skills necessary to excel. The interest in this music, however, remains strong in spite of the slow developing curriculum.
With public awareness of Jazz Organ seemingly on the increase, the need to address this form of music through outreach programs, educational coursework and community events becomes more important.
The 1st Annual JOF Organ Extravaganza
Our First Annual Organ Extravaganza took place on January 23rd in Oakland, CA at the Musically Minded Academy in Oakland, CA hosted by Ms. Anna Orias and Jim Bennett. Pete Fallico and Afrikahn Day'vs emceed this event and numerous jazz organ fans from far and wide were there to enjoy a memorable evening of pure jazz organ entertainment. Funds were raised to help support our Eighth Annual Jazz Organ Fellowship Tribute to take place Sunday, August 14, 2016.
The following jazz organists showed up to play a tune or two: Gary Peterson, Martin Petersen, Robert Kennedy, Linda Dachtyl, Robert Lofton, Phil McGee, Lonnie Gasperini, Kevin Coelho, Wil Blades and the incomparable, Chester 'CT' Thompson! Our drummers were Cary Dachtyl and Leon Joyce, Jr. Our saxophonists were Aaron Wolf and Lyle Link and our guitarists were Calvin Keys and Barry Finnerty. To each musician and every fan of jazz organ in our audience that night, we say "Thank You!"
Our First Annual Organ Extravaganza took place on January 23rd in Oakland, CA at the Musically Minded Academy in Oakland, CA hosted by Ms. Anna Orias and Jim Bennett. Pete Fallico and Afrikahn Day'vs emceed this event and numerous jazz organ fans from far and wide were there to enjoy a memorable evening of pure jazz organ entertainment. Funds were raised to help support our Eighth Annual Jazz Organ Fellowship Tribute to take place Sunday, August 14, 2016.
The following jazz organists showed up to play a tune or two: Gary Peterson, Martin Petersen, Robert Kennedy, Linda Dachtyl, Robert Lofton, Phil McGee, Lonnie Gasperini, Kevin Coelho, Wil Blades and the incomparable, Chester 'CT' Thompson! Our drummers were Cary Dachtyl and Leon Joyce, Jr. Our saxophonists were Aaron Wolf and Lyle Link and our guitarists were Calvin Keys and Barry Finnerty. To each musician and every fan of jazz organ in our audience that night, we say "Thank You!"
While the sound of Jazz Organ remains attractive to young musicians, the actual instrumentation has shifted from the old tone-wheel technology of the Hammond organ to the sampled, digital applications of today. Jazz Organ for this new millennium has been significantly reinforced by the release of numerous digital 'clones' of the original Hammond organ and its unique sound. The fact remains, however, that this original sound is viable and worthy of preservation. All this serves to strengthen the notion that Jazz Organ will not be ignored but rather will thrive for future generations of musicians - therefore the Jazz Organ Fellowship was created in 2004, and has been based in Oakland, CA, as a central location for fans of this art form.
Organist Wil Blades providing one-on-one instruction to a junior high student
Organist Bobby Pierce speaking to a group of students at a recent JOF workshop
Organist Wil Blades speakling to a class of high school music students
Organaist Tony Monaco giving instruction
The Jazz Organ Fellowship aka JOF provides workshops within existing jazz camps and actually brings the organ combo into the music classes of junior high schools and high schools.
Working with festival directors and band leaders, JOF attempts to fill in the gap that has existed for so many years in music education that is relative to Jazz Organ studies.
The history of this music is broken down in curricular fashion so as to explain the lineage of Jazz Organ music; its main proponents; and the significance of this genre within the wider musical spectrum.
World class Jazz Organists are brought into the fold to contribute their experiential knowledge and demonstrate varied musical styles.
JOF strives to elevate the position of Jazz Organ in all aspects of the music world.
Each year JOF pays tribute to a living jazz organist who has made significant contributions to this music with The JOF Award. We then add their name to our Hall of Fame. Those who have received our prestigious JOF Award are listed to the right. The Jazz Organ Fellowship Hall of Fame is dedicated to those jazz organists (many of whom have passed) who have contributed to the development of this music - to date, they are: 2016 Ronnie Foster Loretta Whyte Beverly Pitts Keith Emerson 2015 Papa John DeFrancesco Eddy Louis Cherry Wainer Bobby Watley 2014 Sonny Phillips (Jalal Rushdan) Freddie Roach Ethel Smith Don Pullen 2013 Chester CT Thompson Milt Buckner Hank Marr Bu Pleasant Baby Face Willette 2012 Melvin Rhyne Joe Bucci Gloria Coleman Ed Kelly Merl Saunders Leon Spencer, Jr. Les Strand 2011 Dr. Lonnie Smith Jackie Davis Charles 'The Burner' Earland Richard 'Groove' Holmes Gene Ludwig 'Big' John Patton Don Patterson Johnny 'Hammond' Smith 2010 Sarah McLawler & Trudy Pitts Bill 'Mr. Honky Tonk' Doggett Brother/Capt'n Jack McDuff Jimmy McGriff Shirley Scott 2009 Rhoda Scott 'Wild' Bill Davis Jimmy Smith Thomas 'Fats' Waller Larry Young (Khalid Yasin) REMEMBER to email us with your suggestions for next year's inductees into The Jazz Organ Fellowship Hall of Fame! AND who you would like to see JOF pay tribute to... JazzOrganFellowship@gmail.com |
 Rhoda Scott  Sarah McLawler  Trudy Pitts  Dr. Lonnie Smith 
Melvin Rhyne
Chester CT Thompson
 Sonny Phillips (Jalal Rushdan)
Papa John DeFrancesco 
Ronnie Foster |
Board of Directors
Executive Director - Pete Fallico
Acting President - Pete Fallico Board Members - Greg Bridges Carl Yamada Dr. Brad Stone - Vice Pres Dr. Ray Jones - 2nd Vice Pres Dr. Geoff Roach - Secretary Bob Schleicher - Treasurer Past President - Linda Goshay Jones |
Linda Goshay Jones Bob Porter Bill Milkowski Afrikahn Day'vs Dr. Lonnie Smith Joey DeFrancesco |
