Console of the LATOS-Owned J. Ross Reed Wurlitzer
Console of the LATOS-Owned J. Ross Reed Wurlitzer
This Page: The Organ * Location * Events * Tonal Resources * Maintenance
* Related Info
The Organ:
A view of Sexson Auditorium in the Administration Building of
Pasadena City College. Flanking the proscenium are the chamber
grilles, behind which are the the double-decked chests of organ
pipework. The man standing next to the flag gives a proper sense
of scale to this picture.
The J. Ross Reed Wurlitzer is a composite of select parts from other organs, and was originally assembled by organ builder Ken Crome, for his own use. Instead, in 1979, he sold it to a Lansing, Michigan pizza parlor, where it played for three years, until the establishment closed.
With financial gifts from Marian Cook and Robert Power, LATOS purchased the organ in 1984. It was brought back to Los Angeles and stored in a La Mirada warehouse owned by J. Ross Reed. Subsequently Ross agreed to have LATOS install the organ in the warehouse where it would be available for LATOS concerts and practice by organ students.
LATOS began installation of the organ in 1985 but, partially due to lack of funds, work was progressing slowly. In his enthusiasm to have it playing as soon as possible, Ross offered to buy the organ and finish the installation himself.
The inaugural warehouse concert was performed December 15, 1985. Unfortunately, Ross was able to play the Wurlitzer only a few times before suffering a fatal heart attack. After his death, in memory of Ross, the Reed family gave the organ back to LATOS, with the request that it be installed in Sexson Auditorium.
Under direction of organist Lyn Larsen, some changes were made to transform the organ from a 'pizza parlor' organ to a more polished concert instrument. Lack of space required substitution of a modern electronic relay system in place of the original mechanical relay. The organ was refurbished by Ken Crome, with the assistance of several LATOS volunteers, and was installed in Sexson Auditorium in October of 1989.
Location:
Pasadena
City College
Sexson Auditorium in Building "C"
1570 E. Colorado Blvd.
Pasadena, CA 91106
General Info Telephone # 626-585-7123
A view of Building "C" from Colorado Boulevard. Sexson
Auditorium, home of the J. Ross Reed Wurlitzer, is in the center
of this building. Free parking on weekends is available to the
east on campus.
Events:
LATOS regularly schedules concerts,
silent movies and other presentations on the J. Ross Reed
Wurlitzer. The next event scheduled for this venue is Barry
Baker on Saturday, August 16.
Tonal Resources:
Main Chamber Manual Chests and Pipework:
 |
MAIN Chamber (Left Side) Tuba Horn Open Diapason Tibia Clausa Clarinet Viol d'Orchestre Viol Celeste Salicional Voix Celeste Oboe Horn Quintadena Concert Flute Vox Humana |
| Solo Manual Chests and Pipework before installation of Toy Counter: | |
 |
SOLO Chamber (Right Side) Tuba Mirabilis English Post Horn Brass Trumpet Horn Diapason Tibia Clausa Kinura Orchestral Oboe Brass Saxophone Gamba Gamba Celeste Vox Humana
|
Organ Maintenance:
The J. Ross Reed Wurlitzer is maintained by LATOS volunteers. Maintenance work includes tuning and specific computer preparation for individual organists.
More Info:
Email Stephen Ross for additional info.
Photos by Stephen Ross
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