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
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.
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The Sixth Annual Jazz Organ Fellowship Tribute will be Sunday, August 10, 2014
at the Repertory Theater in San Jose, California
This year's JOF Honoree will be Sonny Phillips (aka Jalal Rushdan) He will be present to receive his JOF Award. Our Tribute will be in conjunction with the San Jose Jazz Festival and, in keeping with their Japanese theme that Sunday, we will be presenting Japan's Atsuko Hashimoto, Midori Ono and Akiko Tsuruga. Special guests will include saxophonist Houston Person. Plan to be there and enjoy this one-of-a-kind Jazz Organ Extravaganza!
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.
Doug Carn Performs for JOF
Organist and pianist, Doug Carn brought his repertoire to the Freight & Salvage Coffeehouse in Berkeley, CA on August 9, 2013 for a recent Jazz Organ Fellowship fundraiser. With Doug were saxophonist Dawan Muhammad, guitarist Calvin Keys and drummer Deszon Claiborne
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: 2013 Milt Buckner Hank Marr Bu Pleasant Chester Thompson Baby Face Willette 2012 Joe Bucci Gloria Coleman Ed Kelly Melvin Rhyne Merl Saunders Leon Spencer, Jr. Les Strand 2011 Jackie Davis Charles 'The Burner' Earland Richard 'Groove' Holmes Gene Ludwig 'Big' John Patton Don Patterson Johnny 'Hammond' Smith Dr. Lonnie Smith 2010 Bill 'Mr. Honky Tonk' Doggett Sarah McLawler Brother/Capt'n Jack McDuff Jimmy McGriff Trudy Pitts Shirley Scott 2009 'Wild' Bill Davis Rhoda Scott Jimmy Smith Thomas 'Fats' Waller Larry Young (Khalid Yasin) 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
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Board of Directors
Executive Director - Pete Fallico
Acting President - Pete Fallico Vice President - Dr. Bradley Stone Second Vice President - Dr. Raymond Jones Secretary - Dr. Geoff Roach Treasurer - Bob Schleicher Board Member - Greg Bridges Past President - Linda Goshay Jones |
Advisory BoardLinda Goshay Jones Bob Porter Bill Milkowski Afrikahn Day'vs Dr. Lonnie Smith Joey DeFrancesco |
