Wurlitzer Organ Trust Of Auckland

Wurlitzer Organ Trust of Auckland

C/- The Playhouse Theatre, Glen Eden,

Auckland New Zealand

Photos

(click on thumbnail version for larger image)

· THE EARLY HOLLYWOOD CINEMA YEARS…..

Brett Morris – the Hollywood’s “Star Organist”

of the 1980s (John W.Parker photo – 1985)

Auckland organist John Hardicker plays the former 2-manual console circa 1985

THE “NEW LOOK” HOLLYWOOD YEARS – 1998 onwards…..

1999 and the first show featuring organ and danceband together!

Denis McCombe at the Hollywood Wurlitzer with the 1932 Jazz Orchestra

James Duncan, John Parker, & Neil Jensen at the Hollywood Wurlitzer’s 20th Anniversary concert

November 2002

2003

Visiting USA organist Dave Wickerham captures close-up views of the console and the piano.

The Wurlitzer and piano console as seen from the balcony – 2003

(Dave Wickerham photo)

Close-up shot of the 3-manual Wurlitzer console (Chris McPhee photo)

“House Organist” Ron Clark

LEFT:

Chris Powell playing the Hollywood Wurlitzer

RIGHT:

Fools rush in where

wise men never go!

James D lost in the

Main Chamber –

(Photo Courtesy Steve Mac)

LEFT:

Pipes n Pizzazz” –

Chris McPhee with

Brett’s New Internationals. September 2005

(Katrina McPhee photo)

RIGHT:

“Stage & Screen” Greg Ward with John Atwell - March 2006 (John Atwell photo)

Mark Herman (USA) – July 2006

Courtesy Fiona Goodall Suburban Newspapers Western Leader

Simon Gledhill (UK) – October 2006

Photo John Parker

Tony Fenelon (Aus) made a triumphant return to the Hollywood in June 2007,
almost 25 years after he premiered the organ in November 1982
(JWParker photo)

The upgrade project of 10 years now complete!
The ultimate “seal of approval” – Tony Fenelon with John Parker & John Andrews
June 2007 (JWParker photo)

Viewed from the Stalls at the Hollywood Cinema with Wurlitzer console left & piano + chimes on the right side - 2007 (Photo Leyton Chan)

John Hardicker – June 2007

(Leyton Chan photo)

Mark Herman & Anthony Snitker from the USA pay tribute to Broadway, August, 2009
(Bob Jessopp video still image)

LEFT:

Brett Valliant (USA) shares a moment with his audience, September 2009

(Zvonko Djuric photo)

RIGHT:

Zvonko Djuric freezes a moment in Brett’s stunning September 2009 concert.

LEFT:

Scottish organist David Gray preparing for his Hollywood debut – August 2010

(Photo Bill Ridge)

RIGHT:

Bill Ridge’s camera once again catches a sparkling

after-show moment.
Martin Ellis from Indianapolis and Auckland Soprano Lyndsay Freer with WOTA Chairman James Duncan – October 2010.

A welcome return to the Hollywood Cinema

for Melbourne’s Scott Harrison.
Scott teamed up with the Auckland based Dixieland Jazz Band, Lex Pistols for a memorable afternoon of great music!
May 8, 2011 Bill Ridge Photo

Is it true what they say about Dixie?
On Sunday May 8, 2011, a 240 strong Auckland audience would whole-heartedly say it is!
A fun afternoon being had with Melbourne organist Scott Harrison and Auckland’s Lex Pistols Dixieland Jazz Band.
Bill Ridge Photo.

Hooray for Hollywood” – The USA’s Rob Richards from

Disney’s El Capitan Theatre and Gospel Pianist Alex Zsolt
teamed up to give us a great afternoon of music from Disney, the movies, the shows and more!!

LEFT– Rob & Alex with our very own emerging organist

Campbell Crawford.

RIGHT – The duo Keyboard Kings!!

PHOTOS courtesy Bill Ridge

Our 2011 “Pops on Pipes” season of shows concluded with the very

welcome return of the USA’s Jelani Eddington.

As a 22 year old, Jelani first came our way in 1996, and has now become
the theatre organ world’s leading exponent of this musical art form.

The Hollywood Wurlitzer too has come an awful long way
from those dark days before the refurbishment project commenced in 1998.

Bill Ridge photo.

November 2012 saw the ex-Regent Theatre Auckland, Wurlitzer pipe organ celebrate 30 years of music-making and entertaining Auckland at the Hollywood Cinema.

This spectacular USA artist, Dave Wickerham, gave over 250 Aucklanders an afternoon to remember with a stunning program of music!

2013 opened with a
“Salute to the Movies & Shows”
with Melbourne’s John Atwell and local entertainer Brett Lowe.

David Maciulaitis photo.

June saw the USA’s Donnie Rankin
at the console.

Donnie Rankin photo.

2013 also saw a safety rail installed around both the console and piano platforms. However, it is still a fair height off the floor!!

David Maciulaitis photos.

The Wurlitzer Organ Trust of Auckland is so immensely proud to have 13 year old
Campbell Crawford taking an active interest
in theatre organ playing and the
Hollywood Wurlitzer.

November 2013 saw him have a guest spot at USA organist Ken Double’s show.

A great way to end our 2013 “Pops on Pipes” season of shows.

David Maciulaitis photos.