The Jazz Organ Scene

USA

Don Baker Don (*1903 in St. Thomas, ON/Canada) was an organist. He studied piano at the Mount Royal Conservatory in Calgary. In 1925, he was hired as a demonstrator and a teacher at the Wurlitzer Music store in New York City. His first theater job was at the Brooklyn Paramount playing noon and dinner-hour concerts for the moviegoers. An opportunity to perform in England resulted in weekly broadcasts over the BBC and performances at five of the Bernstein Theatres. After 18 months in England, Baker returned to the United States and was hired as staff organist at radio station WOR in New York City.   He then moved to the Paramount Theater and played on bills featuring top big bands headed by Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman and others. After New York City, Baker went on to the Hollywood Palladium where Freddie Martin, Harry James and other Big Bands were featured attractions. In 1949 he moved to Las Vegas and performed at the Last Frontier. In the late 1950s, he became a touring artist for Conn Organs. He returned to New York in 1964 to play the final concert at the Paramount Theater. He resided in Nevada until 1974, performing in Reno and Lake Tahoe. Then he moved to Clearwater, Florida, where he spent his final years. He died in 1989.   from www.discogs.com

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