Bill Yaney, House Organist - The Ohio Theatre
Bill Yaney
Born into a musical family, Bill's father was a well known drummer and percussionist and played with the big bands of the day. His maternal grandmother was a silent picture accompanist in Toledo's theatres and movie houses of the early twentieth century.
Due to his father's influence, Bill studied as a child with some of the great big band pianists of the time including Harley Bracht, Elmer Schalitz, and others. Bill graduated first in his class from Howe Military School where he was tutored under Dr. Franklin Miller in piano, pipe organ, and harpsichord.
Bill began his professional career in 1959 playing with his own group in night clubs and restaurants. During his long career, he led the house bands at many of the area's finest venues. Along the way, he played for several years on radio and television, and was the last live organist to play at The Town Hall Burlesque Theatre in Toledo before its closing in 1967. He was also chosen to play the theatre organ accompaniment on a video for PBS in 1985. For over forty years, Bill was a sales representative and consultant for Allen Organs, The Wurlitzer Company, Conn Organ Corporation and many others. He has been involved with The Historic Ohio Theatre in Toledo for over 25 years and The Detroit Theatre Organ Society for over 35 years.
Theatre organ became his passion in the early 1960's and his later musical influences included Jesse Crawford, Gus Farney, Lyn Larsen, and his lifelong mentor George Wright with whom he shared the stage on a Caribbean cruise in 1971.
Studio musician, theatre organist, church organist, teacher, concert artist, arranger, and radio and television artist... Bill has done them all. He continues to concertize wherever life takes him and his reputation for a solid performance always goes with him.