NEWS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — May 13, 2002

Moe Denham honored again in second edition of
The Hammond Organ: Beauty in the B.

NASHVILLE, Tennessee — Organist Moe Denham has for the second time been recognized as a master of the Hammond B3 organ in Backbeat Books’ just-released The Hammond Organ; Beauty in the B due to reach bookstore shelves nationwide by May 20.

Written by Mark Vail, a 13-year member of Keyboard magazine’s editorial staff and author of Vintage Synthesizers, the book traces the technological and artistic evolution of the B-3 and other tonewheel organs.

Fully updated from Vail’s first release published in 1997, this second edition features Denham throughout its 320 pages, including a back-cover mention of Denham’s experiences with the B3 as a defensive weapon. From history to playing techniques and technical tips, the book offers a fascinating look at the legendary instrument that has been crossing musical boundaries since 1954.

“Working with Mark again was really fun,” Denham confirmed between sets recently at Cafe123 in Nashville where he performs locally. “We can ‘talk B-3’ for hours — our wives just give up. Mark knew that story about the bullet hole in Barney, my 1964 B-3, so I told it again for the new book. Actually, this time he asked for more material, including some pictures, so that was pretty cool, too.”

Vail and Denham covered a lot of ground, with Denham counted among eight other players whose ‘Tips from the Stars’ comprise chapter 7. “Moe and I met while he was living in Scottsdale,” Vail remarked from his home in California. “His feel for the instrument and his expression are phenomenal.” Vail quips, “He has a great CD, he gets solid press nationally, I hope Nashville knows how good they’ve got it. We miss him out west!”

After living in Arizona for a number of years, Denham returned to Nashville in 1999 and was welcomed back into the jazz community which serves as home-base for his local, regional and national work. Denham’s CD, Little Blue Volkswagon, was produced by fellow organ great Joey DeFrancesco and features guitarist Mike Howard (Marvin Gaye, Donnie Hathaway, Peggy Lee, Roberta Flack).

The release earned a 3-star review from Down Beat magazine and is available locally at The JAZZ Store, or on the web at www.moedenham.com.

Published by Backbeat Books, (www.backbeatbooks.com), The Hammond Organ: Beauty in the B is distributed to the book trade by Publishers Group West and to the music trade by Hal Leonard Publishing [ISBN 0-87930-705-6].