I am no expert on jazz, and and couldn’t for the life of me tell post-bop from hard bop, but I have huge admiration for what Barbara Dennerlein has done for the organ. For starters, Barbara has revived the legendary Hammond B-3 as a jazz instrument. Here’s an early clip on YouTube from 2006 – love the earrings, and watch those feet.
Born in the 60s in Munich, she was given an organ as a Christmas present by her father, who was rather hoping she would lose interest, so he could have it for himself. Sorry Dad – Barbara was playing jazz organ in clubs at the age of 15, and is now an international star, with fans all over the world. Her appeal is not just her perfectionism and virtuosity, but the way she moves between genres. Jazz is a synonym for freedom, says Barbara, freedom from constraints and convention. And this is what she wants to convey to the listener, jazz fan or not.
Even if jazz is not your thing, it’s worth a listen to Barbara on Spotify – many of her CDs are there in full, including the three latest: Spiritual Movement No2 from 2008, Bebabaloo from 2010, and her latest Spiritual Movement No3 where she crosses over to the unsuspecting pipe organ and gives it a good shake up.
If you’d like a longer YouTube clip (about an hour) here she is playing at the Trinity Wall Street Pedals and Pumps festival of organ divas in 2008, where she improvises in both the classical and modern jazz idioms. UPDATE 2019: This particular YouTube clip has disappeared, but there’s an extract from the festival with Barbara playing here.
Forthcoming tour dates and CD listings (including those on her own label Bebab Records, which she founded at the age of 21), are all on Barbara’s website.
Barbara is one of the best. She’s pretty amazing on those bass pedals. I’ve been a big fan of hers for several years now. Rhonda Scott and Akiko Tsuruga, can also light up those B3 keys.