“Papa John” DeFrancesco – Renaissance of the Hammond Organ

September 12, 1940 — Renowned jazz organist “Papa John” DeFrancesco is credited with bringing about the renaissance of the Hammond organ, and gained a national reputation for playing the organ in an infectious hard bop style. Though DeFrancesco began playing the trumpet when he was six, he did not begin playing the organ until his wife bought him one for his … Read more

Justin Echols – New Orleans Jazz Club

Justin Echols

Inducted into the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame in 2012, police officer Justin Echolscroons the standards with a voice as smooth as melted chocolate and manipulates the ebonies and ivories as if he were born in a New Orleans jazz club. When Echols was faced with near immobility after a catastrophic car crash, the Oklahoma City police sergeant … Read more

History of Oklahoma Jazz – Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame

Jazz History

They call jazz “America’s classical music.” Jazz was born and bred in the United States; originally inspired by ragtime and folk songs, early jazz artists drew their musical inspiration from country dances, field hollers, work songs, and the blues. Oklahoma musicians were instrumental in the creation of the so-called “Kansas City” style of jazz, bluesy … Read more

Bent Trumpet. The Legends – Dizzy Gillespie

bent trumpet dizzy gillespie featured

Dizzy Gillespie is one of the most iconic and influential jazz musicians worldwide. Although he passed away 29 years ago, his music remains legendary as he pioneered countless jazz subgenres and became famous for his iconic ability on the well-known “bent” trumpet. It is a lasting symbol of his exceptional career, and this trumpet managed … Read more