San Francisco’s music scene is seeing a resurgence of the Hammond B3 organ, an instrument rooted in Black church traditions and the soul‑jazz era. At least six city venues now feature the organ prominently, offering residents and visitors a chance to hear its rich, church‑born tones live.
Key venues and upcoming dates
The newly reopened Deluxe in the Haight has installed a Hammond A‑100, a model equivalent to the B3, and will host organist Steve Lucky and the Rhumba Bums beginning August 28. Deluxe owner Jay Bordeleau is also preparing an organ for his Hayes Valley supper club, Mr. Tipple’s, where a slate of B3 performances is scheduled for August 27‑30.
Mr. Tipple’s kicks off the run on Thursday with two shows by the Adam Shulman Organ Trio. Shulman, known for his piano work with bassist Marcus Shelby and vocalist Paula West, has become one of the city’s leading B3 players. Friday’s early shows feature saxophonist Patrick Wolff’s Swinging Organ Quartet, followed by two sets from the Adam Klipple Soul Quintet, whose leader toured with Blood, Sweat & Tears and appeared at the 2022 Monterey Jazz Festival.
Saturday’s lineup includes the LJ Holoman Trio for early shows and Sundra Manning for later sets. Manning, who has worked with Raphael Saadiq, Joss Stone, and Mary J. Blige, played a pivotal role in Ledisi’s Grammy‑winning rise. The weekend concludes Sunday at Mr. Tipple’s with the Roger Glenn Organ Trio, featuring Latin‑jazz veteran Wayne De La Cruz on keys.
Community impact and history
Venue owner Bordeleau notes that the August block of organ dates was originally intended to offset the post‑Burning Man lull in nightlife. While the plan was to keep costs low by booking organ trios, the sheer talent attracted larger crowds, prompting him to expand the schedule.
The Hammond B3 first entered music stores in 1953 and quickly found a home in Baptist churches before becoming a jazz staple through Jimmy Smith’s groundbreaking recordings. Subsequent legends such as Brother Jack McDuff, Dr. Lonnie Smith, and Shirley Scott helped cement the organ’s place in urban bars and working‑class neighborhoods.
Today, the instrument remains a bridge between sacred and secular music. KCSM DJ Pete Fallico, who runs the Jazz Organ Fellowship nonprofit, describes the current scene as a “reemergence,” noting that San Francisco now rivals New York City in the number of clubs featuring the organ.
Other local hubs
Keys Jazz Bistro in North Beach, opened by Simon Rowe four years ago, has become an unofficial B3 headquarters after acquiring a mint‑condition organ through Fallico’s network. The venue regularly hosts organists such as Atsuko Hashimoto, Midori Ono, and Tony Monaco.
The Royal Cuckoo, modeled after Chicago’s Green Mill, houses an A‑100 built into its bar and offers nightly organ performances led by keyboardist Chris Seibert and vocalist Lavay Smith. Seibert, who learned organ basics from veteran Dave Mathews, emphasizes the instrument’s versatility, noting that the foot pedals can provide bass lines while the hands handle melody and harmony.
Other clubs featuring the B3 include the Boom Boom Room, Madrone Art Bar, and the Royal Cuckoo’s sister venue, the Royal Cuckoo, each contributing to a vibrant, analog‑driven nightlife that stands apart from algorithmic music streaming.
Looking ahead
With a packed schedule and enthusiastic audiences, the organ revival appears set to continue beyond this August series. Organists and venue owners alike see the Hammond B3 as a cultural touchstone that connects San Francisco’s diverse neighborhoods to a shared musical heritage.
Original reporting: Mission Local — read the source article.
