Barbara Dennerlein

Barbara Dennerlein (born 25 September 1964 in Munich) She began playing the organ aged 11 When leading her own bands, Dennerlein was often the youngest musician in the group, and she learned to co-operate with more experienced musicians. Her local reputation as the "Organ Tornado from Munich" spread after her first television appearances in 1982.

Recordings When her third LP Bebab was issued, Dennerlein established her own record label in 1985

Compositions Dennerlein claims to have been primarily influenced by jazz and was not initially interested in classical or church music, although it was and is popular in Germany. She has never been enthusiastic about formal music theory, preferring to learn things through improvisation. However, she has further said that her main influence from jazz is the ability to mix other musical styles as desired, saying "To me, jazz is a synonym for freedom. Freedom from prejudice and discrimination". The fast tempos and rhythmic figures she uses in her interpretations of well-known standards, and in many of her own compositions, require fast bass pedalboard footwork, though she has used bass players for recordings in order to feature techniques such as slap bass, which cannot be played on pedals. Dennerlein often uses changing meter (e.g., 3/4 to 4/4), as well as unconventional harmonic changes to add expression to her compositions.

Awards 1995: "German Record Critics Award" ("Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik") for "Take Off" 1995: "Jazz Award" for "Take Off" for holding the number one position in the German Jazz Charts for several months and for being best selling Jazz Album of the year in Germany 1987: "German Record Critics Award" ("Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik") for "Tribute to Charlie".

Discography

1983: Jazz Live 1984: Orgelspiele 1985: Bebab 1986: Days of Wine and Roses 1987: Tribute to Charlie 1988: Barbara Dennerlein Plays Classics 1989: Straight Ahead! 1989: Live on Tour! 1990: Barbara Dennerlein Duo (Bootleg) 1991: Hot Stuff and (Friedrich Gulda) Mozart No End 1992: That's Me and Solo 1995: Take Off! 1997: Junkanoo 1999: Outhipped 2001: Love Letters 2002: Spiritual Movement No.1 (church organ recording) 2004: In a Silent Mood 2005: It's Magic 2006: The Best of Barbara Dennerlein compilation 2007: Change of Pace (with Philharmonic Orchestra under Bernd Ruf) 2008: Spiritual Movement No. 2 (live at Kaiser William Memorial Church in Berlin) 2010: Bebabaloo 2012: Spiritual Movement No. 3 (live 2008 concert on the Rieger organ at the Stadtpfarrkirche in Fehring, Austria, with guitarist Edi Köhldorfer) 2015: Studio Konzert: Barbara Dennerlein (live concert in recording studio, direct to two-track analogue tape) [LP only release] 2015: Christmas Soul 2016: My Moments (Dennerlein plays Hammond B-E and pipe organ before a live audience, featuring a program of original compositions) 2018: Best of Blues: Through the Years compilation