Pipeorgan Presentations - Live From New York...It's Dan Bellomy

The Zurich Sessions
Dan Bellomy
Recorded at the Orgelsurium
Zurich, Switzerland

Available on CD
CD $17

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Note: The instruments used in this recording are a
Hammond B-3 with drums and bass, not a pipe organ.

To hear samples of the tracks on this cd, click on the track names below.
(The player will continue to play each sample in sequence after your selection - click the pause or close button on the player to stop it)

The Zurich Sessions
Dan Bellomy

There is a heat wave in Boston as I write these notes about an experience that took place in snowy Zurich earlier this year. it was as cold on March 3 and 4 (when these sessions took place) as it is hot on August 8 and 9 in Boston! Thinking back to those few days spent in one of the loveliest parts of the world I long for one of those cool Swiss evenings!

A few years back I made a concert trip to Switzerland—my first in many years. Through the kindness of some friends 1 met Jackie Rubi owner of Musik-Guenthart in Zurich. After much communication courtesy of the internet and the fax machine I was invited to appear at Orgelfest which was being held that year in the picturesque Alpine ski village of Engelberg, Switzerland. It was at this festival that I met percussionist Brian Wilson and probably the best sounding Hammond B-3 rig I had ever played.

The tracks on this recording represent a cross section of standard ballads and swing tunes and really do not require individual comment. Hopefully the music will speak for itself. in the past I have released very different versions of some titles. The results heard in this recording are the product of two sessions where we just played what felt good. Jazz and swing performances are different just about every time they are heard even when played by the same musicians. That’s why this musical form is so very much fun!

Percussionist Brian Wilson is a music educator and all around percussionist extraordinaire. He is originally from Glasgow, Scotland and now lives in Zug, Switzerland. He is much in demand for engagements in the Zurich area where he is also on the teaching staff of Musik-Guenthart in Unterengstringen, a Zurich suburb. I feel very fortunate to have had him work with me in these sessions.

Jackie Rubi-Guenthart is the owner of Musik-Guenthart. She is a tireless advocate of music in every form being a keyboard instructor as well as running a full line music store. She is also the owner and curator of Orgelsurium (Hammond Organ Museum) where these sessions were recorded. She produces Orgelfest every year where people come together for a weekend of organ concerts, instruction and competitions. Usually held in a picturesque Swiss village I have been happily a part of festivals held in Engelberg and Emmetten with interlaken being the location for Orgelfest 2001.

Jackie, her expertise and hard work made this session possible. I will surely not forget her tireless effort during the sessions as recording engineer’ it is sometimes not easy working at strange times of the day and night — and still manage to make a mean fondue at the end of the evening! Jackie is a wonderful friend and a pleasure to work with. Thank you so much Jackie for all your help and consideration in the production of “The Zurich Sessions”.

For these sessions, I used a Model B-3 Hammond Organ. This instrument is and always has been the mainstay of jazz an swing on the organ. Brian Wilson played drums and M.L. Foote played bass on all tracks. The sessions were digitally recorded live to two track at Orgelsurium Studios in Zurich. This style of organ playing has been a particular love of mine since my years as a concert artist for the old Hammond Organ Company. The Hammond B-3 and Hammond A-100 Organs are instruments on which I learned as a child and I will always hold a special place for these instruments and their sound in my heart.