Organist Directory :- Electronic Q to Z

Robert &quoy;Bob&quoy; Ralston was born 1938 in San Bernardino County, California.
Bob Ralston is probably best known for his 47 years as pianist/organist/arranger with the In addition to his concerts for the American Theatre Organ Society (ATOS), he continues to work as a pianist, show producer, arranger, conductor, composer, teacher, and recording artist.
A former conductor of the Hayward Symphony Orchestra (1976-1977), Bob has guest-conducted several other symphonies as well.
From 1996 to 2000, Bob demonstrated his talent for hosting when he produced and anchored the " Gee Dad! It's a WurliTzer! " radio show.

DirkJan Ranzijn was born in 1968, in a town called Alkmaar.
Being an only child his parents were able to indulge their son by introducing him to a variety of activities, including visits to the theatre, circus and musicals at a very early age. As early as four-years old Dirk admits to being excited by the applause, lighting effects and audience participation. He can never remember wanting to do anything else except appear in front of the footlight
A significant milestone when Dirk was ten years and got his much wanted Bontempi keyboard for Christmas. Dirk had natural talent . A teacher was quickly recruited to encourage the budding musician.
Very quickly it became apparent the Bontempi was limiting Dirk's progress which prompted his parents into buying a 'Thomas' organ , introducing him to the delights of two manuals and a pedal board.
At the age of sixteen, Dirk gave his first charity concert, raising money in aid of arthritis sufferers. Professional concert work quickly followed even though he had not completed his education
Having left school at eighteen he went on to study for a Diploma in acting and music. It is this unique training which may have influenced Dirk's style of organ playing and showmanship whether the show is produced for corporal events, societies or festivals. After gaining his diploma he continued to play professionally first using a Technics organ then the Wersi Spectra. In 1989 he produced his first album in readiness for his first foreign tour.
After some years and three albums , Dirk changed his Wersi Spectra for a Bohm Diamond organ. By 1995 the Bohm Company in Germany invited him to join the team as a freelance concert artist. At the time the team included Robert Bartha and Mark Shakespeare. Following his visit to Germany that year he continued to work for Bohm alongside Robert. This has given him the opportunity to attend the Frankfurt Music Fair every year, playing as many as six concerts a day and concert tours all over Europe.
Like many musicians he remains freelance but in his words he has 'a gentleman's agreement', he will play Bohm exclusively. As a result his career has escalated to include annual concert tours of Belgium, Holland, Italy, Scotland, Wales, Poland, Denmark, Switzerland and the whole of the UK.
According to Dirk he was originally a very shy and private person and to this day he remains grateful for his father's encouragement and the rigorous training, which helped him overcome his inhibitions enabling him to appear on stage as a very confident artiste.

Len Rawle was born in Tonypandy, South Wales in 1938, Len's classical training, starting at age 4, came from the London College of Music in Cardiff. Later his studies transferred to London where he also came into contact with many leading organists.
He was also fortunate in having the UK's first residence Wurlitzer from the Granada Wandsworth Road, London in the family home. Eventually he purchased the famous 4 manual Wurlitzer of the Empire Theatre, Leicester Square, which became the centrepiece of his own, self-built home at Chorleywood. Described by many, as the finest sounding residence Wurlitzer in the World, he has recorded, broadcast and televised this Wurlitzer many times. Two particular highlights were appearing on the very first 'The Organist Entertains' Programme (plus many subsequent ones) and also in the much celebrated and often repeated Sir John Betjamin BBC T.V. documentary 'Metroland'.
Len has given numerous concerts and 'workshop sessions' in the USA, Australia and Europe.

Bryan Rodwell was born in Kieghley in Yorkshire, England. (8^th June 1929 not verified)
Bryan studied the classical piano at an early age and then he moved on to the organ, Bryan's future changed when he came into contact with theatre organist who was responsible for encouraging Bryan to consider playing the theatre organ. He made his debut performance at the age of just 10 years of age. He had the rare talent of being comfortable playing either pipe or electronic organ. Bryan's early career was on theatre organ. He was employed to play for the ABC Cinema chain at The Ritz in Hereford and also at The Granada in Clapham, London. It was during this time that he made a number of recordings and broadcasts.
In 1968 Bryan Rodwell took up a position with Hammond UK, where he was demonstrator for many years. He later moved on to be more involved with Hammond managing the quality development department. He made a number of recordings on the Hammond 'Concorde'. As well as Hammond Bryan played many other electronic organs, including Rogers and Orla. He spent the last few years playing Yamaha EL90.
Bryan was a versatile musician who also played for many of the large orchestras of the time, including Mantovani, Geoff Love and Stanley Black
Bryan died in 1995.

I was born in Horncastle, a small market town in Lincolnshire, on Friday 5th May, 1950. Dad was Swiss (which accounts for the strange name. Mum worked part-time at the local school.
Mum used to play the piano, and I started in a very informal way when I was about five. I used to like sticking drawing-pins into the hammers of our ancient rosewood upright to make it sound honky-tonk - a practise frowned upon by my mum, who kept taking them out and hiding them. But I bought more. In the end she gave up.
After having piano lessons I got to grade 6 of the RSM exams. Couldn't get any further because I was no good at sight reading. The problem was that I had (and still have) a well-developed gift of being able to play from memory - so I didn't bother to learn to read music very well.
While I was at Grammar school I joined up with a friend who played drums, and we did regular gigs in a pub and at a lot of the RAF stations in Lincolnshire. My dad bought me a Clavioline, which was a very early synthesizer with valves, and which fitted under the piano keyboard. Used that for ages. Later, Dad bought me a small Kimble electronic organ, and I learnt to use pedals for the first time.
One day another schoolmate took me to stay with a friend of his named who was then organist at Bradord Ice Rink, and David invited me to have a go on the Hammond C3 there. It was the very first Hammond I'd ever played. Compared to anything I'd been used to, it was huge - and quite predictably I made a mess of it. But a director of Mecca who was there at the time seemed impressed, and asked me if I'd ever thought of a career playing for ice dancing. I said no! Well, he said, think about it, talk to your parents, and see what they say. I did, and they were happy for me to do whatever I wanted. So, a little later, I moved from rural Lincolnshire to London, and trained at Streatham Ice Rink under the then Musical Director - a man named John Bowery.
I spent a year there - that was in 1966 - at the end of which John told me that Liverpool, Bristol, Birmingham and Leeds rinks didn't have organists, so I could choose whichever one of them I liked, and become Resident Organist there. I didn't know any of the places, so I literally stuck a pin in a piece of paper on which I'd written the names of the cities - and fate decided it was to be Birmingham. I took up residency there in 1967, and stayed there - on and off - until 1988.
During that time, though, I had a few leaves of absence - usually to do summer seasons at places like Skegness and Aberystwyth, and to work on the ships. I played on the Cunard liners Princess, Countess, and QE2 - did a complete World Cruise on QE2 in 1980, at the start of which I blew up the Hammond C3. Well, how was I to know it was a 110-volt organ and the QE2 has a 240-volt supply? To this very day, I can still remember that unique aroma of burning transformer...
I began playing concerts in the late 70s, taking a Hammond L103, which had been split into two for portability, and a Leslie speaker. Since then I haven't stopped. For many years I used a Hammond X5 and an even bigger Leslie, and now I play a KeyB Duo.

Lois Sager was born 13^th June 1928 in Rochdale.
She started piano lessons when she was six years old. Lois started playing accordion at twelve and at fourteen was invited to play in a dance band specialising in Scottish music.
She became interested in the organ and was mentored by Horace Finch. In 1952 she became his pupil.
In 1953 she was offered the job of playing for dancing at the Winter Gardens, Morecombe, playing a Hammond B3000. She spent seven summer seasons there.
Lois was adept on both Hammond and theatre organ. She dubbed herself a jobbing organist, a job that took her to many parts of the world.

Born in Hull, James Sergeant's first introduction to music was listening to his father Richard play guitar. With this background, of course music was always a constant part of home life.
Starting with a small Bontempi chord organ at the age of five, James soon progressed to a full size Hammond organ and began an intensive period of study. During this time, he was also fortunate enough to be allowed to practise his pipe organ technique at a local church, which led to his appointment as organist and choirmaster for a period of twelve years.
During James's time at school, he remained enthralled by the organ and became something of a thorn in the side to the manager of the local music shop, who he pestered incessantly for brochures, price lists, demo records and anything else that would feed his hunger for his hobby. On leaving school he took a job as a demonstrator in the same store, and within three years was managing the shop.
This was the beginning of the digital era, and the age of the 'orchestral' organ was just beginning to dawn. Having played Hammond organs for most of his life, James now began to discover the new musical possibilities that the latest technology could offer. Around this time, he embarked on his concert career, playing his first professional theatre organ concerts at the age of 18.
A stint working for P&O Ferries followed, with James providing backing for the evening cabaret, followed by the 'graveyard shift' of the cocktail piano bar.
After leaving P&O, James went back to his first love, with his appointment as Sales Promotions Manager for Hammond UK. During this time, he became a familiar face on the festival scene, which he still enjoys to this day in his current role as Regional Manager for Yamaha Music Europe. This position sees him in the unusual guise of dividing his time between executive decision making around the boardroom table, formulating sales and promotion plans with dealers, and mixing with members of the public at the 'coal face' in both his demonstrations and concert performances.

Rhoda Scott was born July 3rd 1938 in New Jersey,
The daughter of an AME minister, Rhoda Scott spent much of her childhood in New Jersey, where she learned to play organ in the churches where her father served. Soon she was frequently serving as organist for youth and gospel choirs at her father's and other churches. Scott later studied classical piano, but she concentrated on the organ, eventually earning a Master's degree in music theory from the Manhattan School of Music.
During this time she was asked by a choir member to fill in with a small band as a jazz pianist. Enjoying the music, she agreed to stay on with the band on condition that she be allowed to play organ instead of piano. Choosing the Hammond organ as her instrument, she soon became a preeminent jazz musician and is considered by many to be the top female jazz organist.
Scott was first attracted to the organ in her father's church at age seven. "It's really the most beautiful instrument in the world," she stated in a recent interview. "The first thing I did was take my shoes off and work the pedals." From then on she always played the organ in her bare feet.
In 1967 Scott moved to France, where she has since spent most of her career and earned recognition far greater than that accorded to her in the United States, though she often performs in the latter country as well.

Shirley Scott was born on March 14th 1934 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Shirley Scott was an admirer of Jimmy Smith, Jackie Davis, and Bill Doggett. She played piano and trumpet before moving to the Hammond organ, her main instrument, though on occasion she still played piano.
In the 1950s Shirley Scott became known for her work with the saxophone player Eddie Davis, particularly on the song "In the Kitchen". She was married to Stanley Turrentine and played with him from 1960 to 1969. Later she led her own group, mostly a trio.
In the 1980s, she became a jazz educator and a member of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania's jazz community.
Shirley Scott died of heart failure on March 10^th 2002.

Shigeo Sekito was born in Japan
He graduated from Osaka Kyoiku University's Special Music Course Composition Department.

Mark Jason Kevyn Shakespeare was born on 21 August in Wardle, Lancashire.
At the age of six he started piano lessons with Mary Price at Avonica Music School. At the age of 12 years he had piano degrees in theory and practice.
At age eleven, Mark Shakespeare became acquainted with the classical church organ, Mark had found his true passion.
At the age of twelve, Mark performed his first radio broadcast on the weekly organ music series of the BBC (Radio Manchester), called 'pedal, percussion and Pipes'.
Shortly after his 13^th birthday Mark qualified for the London College of Music and at 15 Mark won several awards for achieving the highest score in a variety of subjects. He studied at the Royal School of Church Music classical organ and vocals and his diploma as "Head Chorister" (choir conductor).
At the age of 16 Mark had already won several music competitions. The Executive Manager of Electro Voice Ltd and importer for Wersi Organ in England, Ken Jones noticed him and offered him to present the instruments for the company.
On his 18th birthday, he gave a highly acclaimed concert on the Wersi Helios in London's famous Barbican Centre.
In 1984 Mark Shakespeare founded his own record company with the associated sales: Ivory International Ltd. In the same year BBõhmhm company discovered Mark and invited him to an audition. He convinced the Bõhm team with his skill and virtuosity. Marks first tour was with the Bõhm Musika Digital 1030
Mark toured extensively, playing in StBõhmdt Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and also in the US and many other countries. Mark has made numerous television appearances in Germany and abroad.
In June 1996, Mark became ill with lymphoma. After a relatively short illness, he died on September 28, 1996

Brain Sharp learnt his 'trade' on the piano. But it was playing the Hammond organ for cabaret artistes at a Midlands night club that got him into the business.
Brian became a nationwide star keyboard player, featuring regularly on the radio show and later on BBC TV's Pebble Mill at One program.
In the early 1970's Brian was a demonstrator for Arthur Butler, who was the UK importer for Gulbransen electronic organs.
Brian went on to play the Dutch made Riha Orchestria and Eminent organs which had more of an orchestral sound.
Brian then changed to Kawai organs, he became hooked on them and travelled to Japan, playing them during his visit. A Kawai T5 was shipped to the UK for Brian to promote for Arthur Butler
Brian played the Kawai Organ several times on the BBC program, 'Pebble Mill at One'
Brian had star billing at the first National Home Electronic Organ Festival in 1980 that took place at Pontin's Barton Hall Torquay In 1984 Brian appeared in the 'Spring in Spain' keyboard music festivals. Brian and all the other players played electronic organs supplied by a Spanish dealer.
Brian spent many happy years at Sandford Park Poole. For almost two decades, the 80's and 90's, Brian played the Christie pipe organ there.
In the late 90's Brian held several of his own events at a Bournemouth.
In 2004 Brian was presented with a Life Time Achievement Award at the British Player Awards held at the Lyme Bay Keyboard Experience in Devon.

Born in 1960 at Tyldesley, Manchester Pete Shaw has been playing piano since the age of 4. He started playing semi professionally in the north west working men's clubs at 15 years of age backing cabaret artistes with a 7 keyboard set up !! Pete spent the 80's and 90's visiting Organ Societies and AOE festivals where he proved very popular, and now, after a nine year break, he is back on the Organ Society and festival circuit with a new keyboard show including some great vocal performances.
Over the last 18 years Pete has made many appearances as an extra/background artiste in TV programmes like -CoronationSt/Emmerdale/Cold Feet and many more which he enjoys very much.
In June 2009 he got a call from the Ann Atkinson - Musical Director of the Fron Choir in North Wales, and was asked to play at the National Eisteddfodd of Wales in Bala for the 35 strong Bro Glyndwr male voice choir, this he did and again it was broadcasted on channel S4C TV
As well as working solo, Pete has been working with his wife Yvonne in a very successful dance /cabaret duo called SAREMMA since 1995 to date
Over the Last 13 years Pete has worked for various organ and Keyboard Companies demonstrating their latest products at Organ/Keyboard festivals around the UK, He is currently UK demonstrator for KORG PA series products and regularly appears at all the major festivals with them throughout the UK .

Donald Shinn was born 15^th December 1945 in Southampton, Hampshire.
He is known primarily as an organist and pianist, and also plays vibraphone. In the early-mid 1960's he recorded and performed with British Beat groups (backing Dusty Springfield), and (featuring ). In 1967 he formed his own band The Shinn, which also featured future Uriah Heep bassist future drummer for The Nice, and vocalist Eddie Lamb. In 1969 he released two instrumental albums, 'Departures', and 'Temples With Prophets' (aka 'Don Shinn Takes A Trip'). He was a member of the English band Dada (featuring ) and appears on their eponymous album released in 1970.

Bill Skidmore started his musical career at the age of seven, taking lessons from an uncle. After which he had a modest musical education on the piano.
He soon became an enthusiastic accordion player, it being a popular instrument during his formative years.
During the second world war Bill joined the RAF and broadcast with RAF dance orchestras many times on the forces network.
Peace time found him back in the UK playing with the big bands of the 40's and 50's.
He started playing the organ around 1960, and in 1968 joined the Wurlitzer Company as staff organist.
He travelled both in the UK and abroad visiting the USA, South Africa, Holland, Belgium, Germany and Ireland.
In 1974 Bill produced an LP for Wurlitzer featuring the Wurlitzer 555, see tracks above.

Harold Charles Norbert Smart was born 7^th December 1921
Harold was a demonstrator for Thomas Organs and recorded on the instrument numerous times. Although there is an LP depicted as Harold playing a theatre organ there is no documented evidence of him ever recording on a theatre organ, the said LP is actually Harold playing an electronic organ.
Harold Smart married Pauline Cleave in 1958
Harold provided the music for numerous TV shows including
Harold Charles Norbert Smart died 6^th November 1980 in Northwood Middlesex.

Little is known about Ethel Smith's formative years. She was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Although she publicly gave her birth date as November 22, 1910, she was actually born in 1902. Growing up in Pittsburgh, Miss Smith became adept at three of her lifelong passions - music, languages, and golf.
Organ studies began with Dr. Caspar Koch, Organist to the City of Pittsburgh. Ethel Smith also studied German, French, and Spanish at Carnegie Tech.
Two events changed the course of Ethel Smith's career. In 1935 the Hammond Corporation produced its first electric organ. Miss Smith spotted her first Hammond in a Hollywood studio. Soon she was so proficient on the Hammond organ that she was able to pick up gigs in and around Hollywood, and even played on local radio broadcasts. An astute Hammond dealer discovered her and, seeing obvious marketing potential, allowed her to take an instrument to Florida, where she had an engagement accompanying a trio at a small Bavarian restaurant.
The second event also occurred around 1935. On a pleasure trip to Cuba, Miss Smith encountered Latin music on location; she immediately caught the bug and started to make regular trips to the Caribbean and South/Central America.
By 1941, Miss Smith's stock was on the rise as she took over from at the infamous in Rio de Janeiro. In March 1942, towards the end of her seven-month stint at the Copa, Miss Smith was noticed by an American Tobacco Company executive. ATC was the sponsor of the popular weekly radio show "Your Hit Parade, " broadcast from New York City.
Ethel Smith finished her engagement at the St. Regis and began playing for "Your Hit Parade " on February 12, 1943. In 1944, Ethel Smith appeared with and in the musical numbers for Bathing Beauty, her first feature for MGM In her big scene some of the girls burst into her office. She is seated at the organ. They beg her to play. With dainty grace, wearing an impeccable peacock-blue cocktail dress and adorned with jewels, Miss Smith removes her wire-rimmed spectacles and lets rip with By the Waters of Minnetonka and Tico-Tico
Like many Hollywood stars, Miss Smith did her part to entertain the boys during WWII. She performed "Moonlight Bay " with on the "Kraft Music Hall " (November 9, 1944), a show distributed to the soldiers through the War Department
At the height of her film career, Miss Smith's personal life took a turn for the worse. Claiming abandonment in 1947, Ethel Smith filed papers to divorce Ralph Bellamy, her husband of merely two years. Bellamy was Miss Smith's second failed marriage; an early marriage to a Mr. Spiro had ended in divorce before 1940.
In later years, Miss Smith continued to perform and play golf. Her company, Ethel Smith Music Corp., which she founded in the mid 1940s, continued to publish highly successful arrangements of popular tunes and instructional books for the Hammond. Although she never remarried and never had children, Miss Smith lived a full life in Manhattan.

b>Jon Smith has been a professional musician for over 40 years and giving public performances since he was 11 years old. He was involved with the development of the first Digital Organ in Germany with Hohner.
Jon is truly an International performer, having entertained thousands of people all over the world, from Shanklin to Toronto, Scarborough to Barbados, U.S.A., Canada, Europe, aboard cruise ships in the Caribbean. He has also worked along with international stars in top cabaret venues and played extensively in the U.K. delighting audiences in Summer Shows on the East Coast and the Isle of Wight.
He has proved to be much in demand playing for Strict Tempo Dancing. His unique style combined with his vocal talents are a rare combination adding a new dimension to both dances and concerts.

Tony Stace started playing the organ when he was 9 - his father owned a T500 Hammond which was his pride and joy. Tony started to show an interest in music and his Dad agreed to teach him.
Within a year his dad had arranged private tuition with his first teacher Ray Fox. At age 11 his Dad asked him what I would like for his birthday. Tony said he would like to play a concert, so his Dad arranged it and Tony played his first 2 hour concert to friends and family - about 100 people. He loved every minute!
At around the same time Tony was lucky enough to spend a weekend with Franz Lambert, and was honored to be in the company of such a famous organist. At age 12, his dad and Tony were attending a lot of demos and concerts, and a new organ on the market (an ELKA E49) caught his Dad's eye. At age 13 Tony arrived home from school to a gleaming new organ - the ELKA E49. Tony's Dad had bought it for his birthday, Tony was over the moon. His dad was so passionate about his music and enjoyed it so much they often stayed up until 2-3 in the morning playing - his mum wasn't impressed!
Around this time Tony started entering competitions; his first was a Yamaha Local Region Competition to be held at Teville Organs at Worthing. Tony turned up and saw that one of the judges was Steve Lowdell. Tony played a 'Phantom of the Opera' Selection and won it.
After winning the local event, he was asked to compete in the National competition, which was held at The Library Theatre Solihull. Tony played the Yamaha HS8, he won £125! which, at that age, was like winning the Lottery! he then entered the Wersi competition, winning the local event. At that time, they didn't know but the competition was going to go further. A week after winning he got a call from Aura Sounds, Purley, to ask would Tony compete in the Wersi European finals to be held at FRANKFURT - all expenses paid for him and Dad.
They went over and WON a Wersi Prisma organ. When they got home his Dad built it and that's the setup he used, with a Technics KN800, for the next three years.
At the age of 14, he also entered the Cinema Organ Society competition held at Gunton Hall. he played one slow piece and one fast piece and won. Tony's Dad was hoping that it would lead him into the Theatre organ circuit but, although he loved the sound of the Wurlitzers - especially when played by Robert Wolfe -he didn't have the passion for it and didn't take that path any further.
At seventeen, they had heard if you want to get on to the Organ circuit the best place to play would be somewhere called Caister. Tony got in touch with Grant Neal and he said he could start off an evening concert for 25mins. They turned up at Caister the day before, trundled their Organ (which was now a Yamaha HX1) into their chalet and practised and practised so when he did eventually play he would be as sharp as he could be. Tony received a standing ovation and suddenly a lot of the people he had written to were now offering him concerts.
At 22 Tony got a call from Grant Neal "Do you want to play on the Blackpool Wurlitzer? " As he said earlier, I was not 100% into the theatre organ but loved the sound and just couldn't turn down an offer like that. It is an amazing experience to rise out of the floor on the famous organ. Tony played for 20 minutes and found the organ very easy to play, not like a normal theatre organ where there is a lot of delay after pressing the notes - the sound was instant due to all the speakers he was surrounded by.
The same year Tony got a telephone call from Zurich - would he play for the Swiss Organ Festival? Tony agreed and went over to Lenk. He really did enjoy himself in Switzerland and, again, it was all adding to his experiences,

Chris Stanbury is a very versatile and busy musician. He is happy playing the very latest electronic instrument, jazz or classical piano or indeed a mighty theatre or classical pipe organ, Chris approaches everything with a high level of skill and musicianship.
Classically trained on organ and piano but equally at home when playing jazz and pop music, Chris holds various prestigious musical qualifications from the London College of Music including Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees.
Notable events in the last couple of years have ranged from playing the organ at the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, giving the world premiere of a jazz organ piece at the Duke's Hall, Royal Academy of Music, playing piano for several high profile corporate functions and various tours of the Far East, both as a solo performer and session musician. Chris has also performed on national TV and BBC Radio 2.
Somehow, Chris combines his successful performing career with that of a music examiner for the London College of Music and a committed and passionate teacher.

Cornelis Gerardus Hendricus Steijn was born in Leiden on 22^nd December 1906.
Cor Steyn was a musical prodigy, by the age of 12 he had completed stage 5 in both piano and violin. He studied at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague . In 1920 he accompanied silent films on the piano and he performed for the first time as a concert pianist.
In 1932 he joined the VARA pianist-accordionist. He became nationally known as player of the VARA concert organ. From 1935 he performed as an organist also the musical accompaniment of several artists (including Willy Alberti ) in the Amsterdam City Theater .
Together with Cor Lemaire , he wrote the music for the film in 1939 Rascal . During World War II he worked from 1941 to 1944 for René Slee Wijks Snip and Snap -revue. For Willy Walden he wrote the music for the song If the Leidseplein the lights again to burn, which was seen as a disguised protest song, although the text was written by Jacques van Tol .
After the liberation Cor Steyn worked much on foreign radio stations, which he gained international fame. In 1949 he was permanently employed by the VARA, initially as an employee of the propaganda and program service exclusively as caretaker of broadcasts from 1950. He was the leader of the rhythmic String Ensemble and the Seven Man and girl. On October 23, 1951 he made his first television appearance as a pianist in the show program of Cees de Lange . From 1955 he worked with Tom Dorus Manders , first on radio and television, and later in the theatre, including the program Showboat .
After his work with Dorus he received a number of its own programs and he was one of the most famous players of the Magic Organ or Keizerswaard organ , designed and built by the electrician, Jaap Keizerswaard .
On November 17th 1965 he died of a heart attack in Hilversum.

Henry James Stoneham (Harry Stoneham) was born in 1939 in West Ham.
Harry's started learning the piano at an early age, studied at the London College of Music and switched his attention to the organ in 1962.

Used aliases Bob Benson (for the Reader's Digest label), Dick Hunter & Ted Nord

Chiho Sunamoto, who was described as the Vanessa Mae of the organ and keyboard world, brought a breath of fresh air onto the keyboard scene. Originally from Matsuyama, in the South of Japan, Chiho began by learning the piano at the age of 3, from there progressing at the age of 9 to the local Yamaha Music School to learn the art of organ playing.
During Chiho's time at St. Katerina University, where she studied opera singing, piano and classical organ, she became one of the youngest people to pass Yamaha's top exam, Grade 3 Music Diploma.
Twice Chiho was a finalist in the Yamaha Electone (organ) Festival, which led to offers of work from Yamaha as an overseas demonstrator and contracts with two of Japan's major TV stations where she composed and performed for a variety of shows.
After leaving University, Chiho continued to tour as an overseas demonstrator for Yamaha, performing in 42 countries. In 1986 she settled in the North East of England and continued to perform both nationally and internationally. As well as performing, Chiho taught organ and piano, and was the only female in Europe to hold Yamaha top exam passes in Piano, Organ and Music Fundamentals. She was often called upon to judge international music competitions.
Chiho Sunamoto died 12^th November 2018.

The group 'The Three Suns' was formed in 1939 by brothers Al Nevins (guitar) and Morty Nevins (accordion) and their cousin, radio and vaudeville veteran " (vocals, electronic organ).
They became a popular nightclub attraction; during a New York engagement in 1944, they were signed to appear in short musical films for the Soundies movie jukeboxes. They performed nine songs for the cameras.
In 1944, The Three Suns scored their first hit record, "Twilight Time"; their version was strictly instrumental and sold over four million copies and was awarded a gold record. This was followed by "Peg o' My Heart", which was one of the best-selling records of 1947 in the United States.
During the 1950s the group continued to play "live" dates with the same personnel, but their recording sessions would often have studio musicians substituting for one or another, because keyboardist Artie Dunn did not read music and guitarist Al Nevins became more interested in the production end of the recording business. The group's popularity waned as rock and roll became popular, but the group reinvented itself by using its RCA Victor recording sessions as an audio laboratory, employing additional instruments and novel stereophonic effects. These new arrangements became popular among fans of lounge music and exotica.

Born in Osaka, Japan on February 2^nd, 1978, Izumi Takada musical lessons started when she was inspired by her classmates piano performance in kindergarten.
After winning the 2nd place in the International Electone Competition, playing in the popular music section in 1999 while studying at the Faculty of Human Development at Kobe University, she started her career.
In 2002, Izumi was appointed as the image model for Yamaha ELECTONE (EL-900B), and expanded her career to other Asian countries and earned a vast following.
For her major debut release, her 1st album "Brilliant Notes"  was released on November 26, 2004. Her 2nd album "Amplitude" was released in 2009 and her 3rd album "Rendes-Vous!"was released in 2013. Her 4th album "Tree of Life" dropped in 2016, and almost simultaneously she published Electone Scores off the same album.
Izumi appeared in the Yamaha Corporation Commercial in 2013.
Currently, Izumi performs solo with the Electone, providing original compositions and appears on various mediums, as well as gives lessons at SENZOKU GAKUEN COLLEGE of MUSIC.

Masashi (Max) Takano is a professor at Nagoya University of the Arts.
Max started his professional career in 1980. He has entertained people in thirty two countries.

Phil Tempest is one of the 'characters' of the electronic organ world.
In addition to farming with his father and brother at Crook, County Durham, he is also an extremely talented musician.
He has appeared on the BBC program The Organist Entertains several times, as well as playing on the Blackpool Tower Wurlitzer and at all the national organ festivals. Somehow, he also finds time to teach!
Phil's style is to play medleys of music, rather than individual tunes. This results in a flowing program, with maximum music content and minimum talking.

David Thomas was born in Hornchurch, Essex.
David Thomas first became seriously interested in music whilst at Secondary School when he took up the Trombone. The Trombone led him to play in School Orchestras, a Dance Band and later the local Youth Orchestra which all went side by side with taking both practical and theory of music examinations.
In the late 70's David discovered an old fold-away Harmonium tucked away in his Grandparent's house and after experimentation he decided he would like to try his hand at something a little more up to date.
Some years have passed since David first laid his hands on that keyboard and he is certainly glad that he made the change from "Blowing" to "Tickling"! In those years he has appeared along with many of Britain's Top Organists and at many prestigious venues, played on Radio, and been the subject of Personality Profiles in Home Keyboard Review and other magazines.

Mark Thompson has been playing the Electronic organ from the age of seven. He joined the Technics Academy at the age of nine, where he worked his way through grades and entered local competitions, reaching area finals in 1999.
Mark was later taught by at the Yamaha School of Music. He began playing concerts at the age of fifteen, and now travels up and down the UK, and abroad, playing the Yamaha EL90 for organ societies, festivals and private functions.
In 2002 Mark played in, and won, the 'Young Theatre Organist of the Year' competition and has performed on many of the country's top theatre organs since.
In addition to his work on the organ circuit Mark plays in 60s and 70s band, 'Wallstreet', on the keyboards/providing backing vocals, Mark works as musical director or rehearsal pianist for many North East musical theatre societies and in the orchestra for their shows.

Werner Twardy was born on the 28^th December 1926 in Oberhausen. He studied harmony and composition at the Folkwang School in Essen and initially worked as a jazz pianist , especially in American officer casinos. During his career he worked with numerous bands as a pianist and arranger. He worked with many top names in the Jazz scene. From 1958 Werner Twardy worked predominantly as a composer. Under the pseudonym of TW Ardy he recorded on the Hammond organ. Werner Twardy died on the 16^th January 1977 in Kleineichen in Cologne at the age of 50 of liver failure. Other Aliases: Daddy Monrou, T.W. Ardy

After spending a number of years in the Retail Business, Andrew Varley joined a Trio playing the keyboards. In 1987 Andrew got married and later that year left the Trio. The following year he started working at Bees Music in Chichester. Andrew recalls at this time "It was great demonstrating the different instruments in the shop including Thomas, Farfisa and Technics." After two years Andrew was promoted to Manager of the Southampton branch, but by this time he was itching to become a full time professional, so in 1991 he did just that.
Since then he has been playing for dancing, private functions and Organ clubs ranging from Yorkshire to the Channel Islands, Cornwall to Norfolk. Andrew has appeared at Organ Festivals at Shorefield, Torquay Bournemouth, Hayling Island and Sandford Park. At the Autumn Cavalcade Festival held at Caister in 2003, Andrew joined the Wersi UK Team demonstrating and performing in concert. Andrew can also claim international status having played in Germany, Italy and Dublin.

Hasso Veit started his career in 1966 after buying a Hammond H100.
His last public appearance was in 2006, performing on his self-built organ that was part Vermona and part Wersimatic.

Jim Vogelman began his professional career at the age of 9, when he was engaged by the Wurlitzer Organ Company to perform both live and on radio. From there, demands for his talents spread to nationwide television, sporting and stage venues and by the age of fourteen he was selected to perform on the John Wanamaker Grand Court Organ in Philadelphia.
As staff artist for the Lowrey Organ Company, Jim has become a repeat favourite in the United States and Europe where he travels extensively.

Cherry Wainer was born March 2, 1935 in East London, Eastern Cape, South Africa.
Cherry was best known as a member of Lord Rockingham's XI and a soloist on the Hammond organ.
A piano player since childhood, she was later influenced by Jimmy Smith to learn jazz keyboard. She first became known to UK television audiences as a regular in the 1950s magazine programme Lunchbox, with Noele Gordon.
Cherry subsequently featured as a session musician in Oh, Boy! one of the first British series to feature rock'n'roll regularly, with Lord Rockingham's XI, a band led by Harry Robinson. Their single, 'Hoots Mon', was number one in the UK charts in 1958. Along with the band.
Cherry Wainer played in the 1959 Royal Variety Performance.
In 1960 she appeared as herself in the musical "Girls of the Latin Quarter"
Cherry Wainer married drummer Don Storer with whom she appeared regularly as a duo during the 1960s. They appeared regularly in a German television series, Beat! Beat!
Cherry Wainer died in Las Vegas, Nevada, on November 14, 2014, aged 79.

Brett was born on the 23^rd of August 1978 in Nottingham, raised by his grandparents Marianne and Alwyn he still lives and works in the same house today. Alwyn played Elka 707 Organ, so at a very young age Brett was exposed to music. Alwyn found Brett aged three at the keys. He was encouraged, and soon displayed an uncanny ability to play melody lines from memory. Alwyn recognized his grandson's talent. Marianne and Alwyn continued encouraging Brett to play as a hobby. This ability to listen, hear and then play, sections, phrases, and separate parts of a complete score has stayed with Brett to this day.
Brett also displayed a creativity looking for new sounds, accurately reproducing instruments, as best he could from the Elka 707. It was this that inspired Alwyn to buy a Wersi Kit, an orchestral organ. A Wersi Helios was finally completed, and Brett's love affair with Wersi commenced.
His grandparents felt this natural talent should not be wasted and Brett started music lessons. Brett's enthusiasm and dedication to music found him being described as a 'Boy Genius' when later, at the age of seven he was to meet with Wersi Stars, the late, great, Klaus Wunderlich and Franz Lambert. Today they remain his idols and role models.
In April 1986. The then president of the Wersi Enthusiast Society Ron Franklin organized a five day trip to Wersi headquarters in Halsenbach Germany. Brett's grandparent's decided to take Brett as a reward for dedication to musical studies. They had the pleasure of being in the company of great musical talent. Klaus Wunderlich, Franz Lambert, Curt Prina and Hady Wolf. A highlight of the visit for Brett was the Saturday evening spent at the legendary Franz Lambert's Felsenkeller. Brett stood transfixed at the side of Franz's organ watching, listening and learning.
Today the dream is realized and he can stand tall along with other Wersi stars such as Mark Whale and Claudia Hirschfield.

John Walker joined Turner's Musical Merry Go Round in 1983 playing the Wurlitzer. The Eleanor Waltz was composed in honour of the venue. John Walker played on the UK organ circuit. A popular organist and composer he gave up playing when it became obvious the UK organ scene was collapsing. Other than the music in the promotional video all of the music above are Johns' own compositions

Born 8^th Aug 1932 and brought up on the Fylde Coast, Raymond Wallbank was educated at Ansdell County Primary School and King Edward VII School. Inheriting his musical talent from his mother, who initially taught him the piano. Later, he studied the organ with Robert Atherton, Organist of St Annes Parish Church.
Having qualified as an electrical engineer, he moved to Fleetwood, servicing radar units on fishing trawlers. In tandem with this, most evenings found him entertaining amid the myriad clubs and hotels that constitute the bright and breezy holiday atmosphere that is Blackpool. It was there in 1965 that he was persuaded to take a gamble and move to a much more lucrative, yet demanding residency, headlining at one of the resort's major tourist attractions.
Built in 1863 the North Pier remains a classic example of Victorian enterprise and engineering. For over 100 years one of its main attractions had been its own hugely popular 36-piece salon orchestra. Axed on economic grounds, in its place it fell to Wallbank to uphold the pier's proud musical tradition. This he did with such aplomb that, before too long, his boss, Lord Delfont, had famously dubbed him "The Prince of North Pier".
Raymond Wallbank played on the from 1965 until 1995. Wallbank found a particularly happy and expressive outlet for his considerable talents. Seated imperiously at the console of his favourite Wurlitzer (electronic, not pipe, not sure what section to include it in so decided on both), a smaller, more sophisticated model than the one in the nearby Tower, he played popular and light classical music that attracted a large and loyal following. While continuing to perform, in 1970 he opened his own highly distinctive music shop in neighbouring Ansdell.
Raymond Wallbank died 16^th Feb 2010.

Daniel Watt started organ lessons when he was just 8 years old and, the age of 12, began playing in public all over Northamptonshire. At the age of 16 Daniel left school and turned professional forming a trio with a drummer and a singer. When Daniel turned 20 the trio split up. Daniel started to appear as a solo act which he still does today in clubs and dance halls all over the country. Daniel was booked by Sceptre promotions, which produce the 3 largest Keyboard Festivals in the UK at Pakefield & Blackpool, and has since joined the team and now helps to organize their Stage Management and Sound Levels.
As well as performing in concert & playing for dancing at the festivals for the last few years Daniel has done a series of morning teaching sessions on the uses of "Computers in music" showing people how to create their own big arrangements and program drums to fit their specific songs in the home and has now moved on to doing musical teaching sessions regarding "Big Band Left Hand & Pedal Techniques" which are available as Audio CD's more (teaching CD's.)
Daniel has had associations with Hammond, Godwin Casio and Wersi for whom he became an agent in the UK for their latest OAS range of instruments until 2006 when a new importer was found
By the time Daniel was 25 he had his own recording studio (Delapre Studios), and has so far produced 14 of his own CD's.
In August 2014 Daniel became part of the UK demonstration team for Yamaha Music Europe GmbH (UK), and now tours Europe with a "Genos TRX organ System", you will also see Daniel regularly performing at festivals & in music shops throughout the UK as part of his commitment to Yamaha.
May 2017 gained his FLCM in Electronic Organ.

Penelope Weedon was born in Buckinghamshire to a musical family, and started piano lessons at 4. Tuition on violin, cello, classical guitar, trumpet and church organ followed. When she was 16 she won an Arts Festival Bursary to study piano with Christopher Elton, whilst continuing her organ studies with Julian Larkin. At 18 she went to the Royal College of Music to study piano, organ and composition.
Like so many before her, Penny overdid the practise and found herself with both arms in plaster and her musical studies apparently at an end. She left the College and trained as a secretary, before working in the recording industry and the police force. She eventually trained as a legal executive. Not until some years later did she resume her studies and obtain her qualifications - including Fellowship of the London College of Music.
Despite the late start, Penny has enjoyed an exciting musical career, spanning 3 continents. Her pipe organ performances have taken her across Europe, including Bristol's Colston Hall, the Croydon Fairfield Halls, Birmingham Town Hall and a plethora of churches throughout the UK, as well as the fine instruments maintained by the Netherland Organ Federation. She has also given theatre organ concerts on some wonderful organs, not least the Wurlitzer in the Tower Ballroom at Blackpool.
Penny's passion for the keyboard orchestra has satisfied her ambition to play every instrument in the orchestra and to be a conductor. She has thrilled audiences countrywide, including Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre, Birmingham Town Hall, Wolverhampton Civic Hall, The Arnold Theatre Nottingham, The Regis Theatre, and countless music festivals and clubs.

Mark Whale was born on the 31^st March 1965 in Coventry / England.
At 6 years of age he began his musical education, learning violin, then Mark received intensive instruction on the piano and the classical pipe organ.
After his first encounter with an electronic organ in 1977 Mark built a Wersi 'Helios' with his father
After successful completion of the baccalaureate Mark won the Wersi Youth Organ Competition in 1983, the beginning of his real career. In June 1984 Mark left his native Britain to go to Germany - the beginning of a successful career as a concert organist and product specialists in a famous German Organ and Keyboard manufacturer. Many long-distance travels and TV / radio appearances quickly followed.
Mark was spending more than 200 days a year on the road. In countries such as the USA, Brazil, Australia, Japan, China and Russia and most European countries The most striking points were a solo concert before more than 3,000 spectators during a music show in Moscow, which was broadcast on national sehsmal Soviet television. He also celebrated 2 major concerts in the People's Republic of China in 1988.
Since 1984, Mark has worked for various organ and keyboard manufacturers as musical consultant and concert organist.
In 1998 Mark founded the company 'MW Music Productions'. In collaboration with the popular radio station RPR he produced a series of recordings for the famous 'My Adventure' program.

Renè Winter was born on July 25^th in Darmstadt.
Even as a small child, Renè showed great interest in music and began to play music himself at the age of about 5 years. Later he became increasingly interested in keyboard instruments.
His parents recognized the gift and gave him an organ and piano lessons. At the age of 17, Renè started his professional musical career giving lessons at a music school. He was awarded the first prize at international competitions several times and has performed numerous concerts - including some charity concerts -at home and abroad.
His international repertoire ranges from contemporary pop music, to evergreens, musicals and jazz, to classical music and numerous compositions of his own.
Renè Winter also has role models. It was no coincidence that two world-famous musicians crossed their path of life. They are Klaus Wunderlich and Franz Lambert.
There is a very nice true story featuring Klaus Wunderlich,: At the time Renè was born, his parents had a cabaret, called "Hawaii Bar", where live music was performed. Klaus Wunderlich was there with two other musicians to entertain the guests. When he heard of the birth, he went to the hospital to bring a son and son to the accordion. That was in the truest sense of the word "Music laid in the cradle". Later both artists met personally and became good friends.
As far as Franz Lambert is concerned, Renè also became a very big fan of him, and sometimes even performed in the dance hall of Franz Lambert, the "Felsenkeller" in Heppenheim-Sonderbach. Both have known each other for many years, and a real friendship arose.

At the age of sixteen Robert Wolfe became the youngest musician at that time to join the team of organists at the world famous Tower Ballroom, Blackpool. After three years, in 1981, he was invited to inaugurate the Wurlitzer show at the Thursford Collection, near Fakenham in Norfolk.
From early spring to late autumn, seven days a week, Robert draws large crowds who delight in his warm personality and his unique musical combination of meticulous accuracy and interpretative sensitivity.
The story really began for Robert at the age of eleven, or thereabouts with the gift of a small single keyboard bought as a Christmas present by his parents. In the beginning his non-musical roots meant playing wholly by ear, reading music came later. By the age of 14 he was playing a Compton theatre organ at a pub in Hertfordshire, plus other pubs and clubs in and around his hometown of Luton using his own portable Hammond electronic organ.
During the winter months he performs concerts not only around the UK, but the U.S.A & Canada. When not performing on pipe organs, Robert performs concerts for the many electronic organ societies here in the UK.

Graeme Wright was born in Hanwell, West London.
He commenced his musical career at an early age when he was a chorister at all saints Choir School, Margaret Street, London.
On leaving school he entered the Royal Academy of Music where, in his teens, he achieved his ARCM and LRAM diplomas for piano. Whilst at the Academy he studied classical organ playing under Douglas Hawkridge, but it was his introduction to the organ in the Forum Cinema, Ealing, that whetted his appetite for the theatre organ.
On leaving the Academy he worked in music publishing with Russ Conway, and at the same time was playing at the Celebrity Restaurant in Bond Street. Graeme left the publishing business to play at Murray's Cabaret Club for 11 ½ years.
Graeme then went to work with Farfisa UK, promoting their organs in all parts of the UK and Europe.

Klaus Wunderlich was born in Chemnitz, Germany in 1930.
Largely self-taught Klaus had a few piano lessons when he was 7. Not being keen on football or other sports he focussed on his music, using the local school piano to practice on.
At the age of 16 he was offered the position of rehearsal pianist at the local municipal theatre.
After leaving school he began composing music for dance orchestras.
Klaus joined up with four other musicians and formed a group 'New Jazz Group Hanover'. Klause did not like the organ but the group needed a new sound so Klaus learnt to play the Hammond. Klaus left the band and played in a small restaurant, his popularity grew and he came to the notice of Telefunken, they put him on their books playing Hammond.
Klaus played a Moog Synthesizer for a while and released an EP playing the instrument.
Klaus then went on to play Wersi.
Klaus Wunderlich sold over 20 million records, he also produced records under other names including K Lauer and for the UK market Chris Waxman. Klaus was awarded 13 gold albums and 1 gold cassette.
Klaus never authorised the video recording of any of his concerts, those recordings there are are rare and normally not of good quality.
Klaus Wunderlich died 28^th Oct 1997

Larry Young was born Khalid Yasin [Abdul Aziz] on the 7th October 1940, in Newark, New Jersey.
Larry Young played with various R&B bands in the 1950s before gaining jazz experience. Recording as a leader for Prestige from 1960, Larry Young made a number of soul jazz discs, Testifying, Young Blues and Groove Street. When Young went to Blue Note in 1964, his music began to show the marked influence of John Coltrane. In this period he produced his most enduring work.
He recorded many times as part of a trio with guitarist and drummer ; most of these albums were released under Green's name, though Into became Young's Blue Note debut. Unity, recorded in 1965, remains his best-known album. Subsequent albums for Blue Note also drew on elements of the '60s avant-garde and utilised local musicians from Young's hometown of Newark.
Larry Youngs characteristic sound involved management of the stops on the Hammond organ, producing overtone series that caused an ethereal, drifting effect; a sound that is simultaneously lead and background.
In March 1978 he checked into the hospital for stomach pains. He died there on March 30, 1978, while being treated for what is said to be pneumonia. However, the actual cause of his death is unclear.

Ady Zehnpfennig was born Adam Zehnpfennig on the 17^th February 1949 in Kerpen , Germany.
He started playing accordion at 10 years of age. In the mid 1960 he formed a Trio and played the Hammond organ.
After a brief episode as a professional musician in a nightclub, he began to perform freely for various organ companies doing presentations and concerts. During this time he began working as an arranger, student musician and music producer for various small productions, which ultimately led to the founding of his own sound studios and the "Azure" music production.
Besides music production he works as a conductor and composer and music producer for several television programs, these included "The Golden Tuning Fork" ( SWR and ZDF ), " your application please ", the "Summer Hitfestifal" and the "Gala Evening Welthungerhilfe ( Superhitparade). Many German and foreign performers have been guests at the "Azure" studio.