Wurlitzer Organ Trust of Auckland

Hollywood Cinema, Avondale, Auckland

New Zealand

 

Photos

 

(click on thumbnail version for larger image)

 

·        THE EARLY HOLLYWOOD YEARS…..

 

 

Brett Morris – the Hollywood’s “Star Organist” of the 1980s (John W.Parker photo – 1985)

 

Auckland organist John Hardicker plays the former 2-manual console circa 1985

• THE “NEW LOOK” HOLLYWOOD YEARS – 1998 onwards…..

 

 

Hollywood Wurlitzer in its “concert-ready” position

 

 

Close-up shot of the 3-manual Wurlitzer console

 

 

The Wurlitzer and piano console as seen from the balcony

 

 

The Wurlitzer and piano console as seen from the Stalls

 

 

“House Organist” Ron Clark

Denis McCombe at the Hollywood Wurlitzer with the 1932 Jazz Orchestra

James Duncan, John Parker, & Neil Jensen at the Hollywood Wurlitzer’s 20th Anniversary concert

Chris Powell playing the Hollywood Wurlitzer

Fools rush in where wise men never go! James D lost in the Main Chamber – Courtesy Steve Mac

“Pipes n Pizzazz” – Chris McPhee with Brett’s New Internationals 2005 (Katrina McPhee photo)

“Stage & Screen” Greg Ward with John Atwell - March 2006 (John Atwell photo)

John Hardicker – June 2006

Mark Herman (USA) July 2006 -- Courtesy Fiona Goodall Suburban Newspapers Western Leader

Tony Fenelon (Aus) made a triumphant return to the Hollywood in June 2007,
almost 25 years after he premiered the organ in November 1982
(JWParker photo)

The upgrade project of 10 years now complete!
The ultimate “seal of approval” – Tony Fenelon with John Parker & John Andrews
June 2007 (JWParker photo)

Mark Herman & Anthony Snitker from the USA pay tribute to Broadway, August, 2009
(Bob Jessopp video still image)

Brett Valliant (USA) shares a moment with his audience, September 2009 (Zvonko Djuric photo)

Zvonko Djuric freezes a moment in Brett’s stunning September 2009 concert.

Scottish organist David Gray preparing for his Hollywood debut – August 2010 (Photo Bill Ridge)

Bill Ridge’s camera once again catches a sparkling after-show moment.
Martin Ellis from Indianapolis and Auckland Soprano Lyndsay Freer with WOTA Chairman James Duncan – October 2010.

 

A welcome return to the Hollywood Cinema for Melbourne’s Scott Harrison.
Scott teamed up with the Auckland based Dixieland Jazz Band, Lex Pistols for a memorable afternoon of great music!
May 8, 2011 Bill Ridge Photo

Is it true what they say about Dixie?
On Sunday May 8, 2011, a 240 strong Auckland audience would whole-heartedly say it is!
 A fun afternoon being had with Melbourne organist Scott Harrison and Auckland’s Lex Pistols Dixieland Jazz Band. 
Bill Ridge Photo.

“Hooray for Hollywood” – The USA’s Rob Richards from Disney’s El Capitan Theatre and Gospel Pianist Alex Zsolt
 teamed up to give us a great afternoon of music from Disney, the movies, the shows and more!!
ABOVE – Rob & Alex with our very own emerging organist Campbell Crawford.
BELOW – The duo Keyboard Kings!!
PHOTOS courtesy Bill Ridge

 

Our 2011 “Pops on Pipes” season of shows concluded with the very welcome return of the USA’s Jelani Eddington.
As a 22 year old, Jelani first came our way in 1996, and has now become
the theatre organ world’s leading exponent of this musical art form. 
The Hollywood Wurlitzer too has come an awful long way
from those dark days before the refurbishment project commenced in 1998.
 Bill Ridge photo.

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