OrganFax News

Rye Concert Postponed but also some Good News!

Friday 31st January

The Rye Wurlitzer team have been in touch to say that, unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond their control, the concert planned for 23rd February has been postponed, so the next event at Rye will be featuring the incredible internationally renowned jazz singer Liane Carroll, Michael Wooldridge at the Wurlitzer, drummer Dean Morris and a Fish and Chip Supper at 7.15pm on Friday 7th March.

They also have the Wurlitzer's 100th Anniversary Variety Show with an all star cast, including two top organists and a cream tea, coming up at 2.30pm on Sunday 6th April.  Already, two thirds of the seats for this event have been sold, including two coach loads attending, just like in the old days, so do please reserve your seats as soon as possible by calling Richard on 01424 444 058.

www.RyeWurlitzerAcademy.co.uk (opens in new tab)

Concerts at Cradley, Halesowen

Saturday 11th January

Once again, our friends at St. Peter's Church in Cradley, Halesowen, are staging some super free concerts, featuring favourite entertainment organists on their fine Compton organ.  All concerts have Free Admission.  Make a note of this year's dates:

Saturday 18th January - 2.30pm - Organists On Parade - Celebrating the 120th Birthday of Reginald Dixon!  with Cameron Lloyd, Damon Willetts, Alec Walters and David Lobban

Saturday 5th July - 2.30pm - Michael Carter with Music from the Movies & More!  Lots of well known tunes played on the Cradley Compton and Yamaha Stagea

Saturday 13th September - 2.30pm - An afternoon of Music for Wonderful Weddings with Victoria Barlow playing the Compton and Piano

Saturday 15th November - 7.00pm - Silent Film Night with live accompaniment by master musician David Ivory at the Compton Organ

For more information about these and other non-organ/keyboard events, call 0121 550 1158

A Royal Award in the 2025 New Year Honours

Tuesday 31st December

Our world of music has been blessed with quite a number or awards over the years, including MBEs for Phil Kelsall and the late Len Rawle, and BEMs for Byron Jones amd Nicholas Martin.

We are thrilled to announce that in the 2025 New Year Honours, His Majesty King Charles III has awarded Richard Moore the British Empire Medal (BEM) for his 'Services to Music Education and Preservation in East Sussex'.

Richard has worked tirelessly supporting many different charitable organisations for around 50 years but is best known to us for encouraging many, many young people to play the organ at the Rye Wurlitzer Academy and TPOPS Academy, and also for ensuring a safe and secure future for the historic Rye Wurlitzer, with a very special celebration concert (with two organists, variety stars, comedy silent film and cream tea) planned for its 100th birthday on 6th April 2025 (see the Rye Wurlitzer page in our Club Directory for details).

Richard is now also sometimes seen helping out at Cavalcade Festivals, so you will be able to congratulate him in person if you come aong to the 40th anniversary Hemsby Festival in March!

Congratulations, Richard Moore BEM.

Trevor Bolshaw

Monday 30th December

We are very sorry to bring news from Michael Carter, on behalf of Friends of Beer Wurlitzer, that organist Trevor Bolshaw passed away on 26th December 2024.

Trevor was a well-loved and respected ambassador of the cinema organ world, having received tuition on piano from Midlands cinema organist, Leslie Taff.  He went on to become a regular on the concert scene, including invitations to play in the USA for the American Theatre Organ Society, where one such appearance saw him perform at the Fox, Atlanta - a much revered instrument.

His life and work moved South, where he and his wife, Mary, have spent many happy years - and where music remained a very important part of their lives, with Trevor continuing to play theatre organ and also his Yamaha touring organ, often accompanying singers.  

His contribution to making the Beer Wurlitzer a success is gratefully acknowledged and we would like to pay a tribute to everything Trevor achieved and to the way he so graciously gave his time to over the years.

Our thoughts are with all Trevor's friends and family, and especially with Mary.  Trevor will be much-missed and remembered fondly.

Photos: Trevor Bolshaw collection / Wayne Ivany

A sad farewell from Grimsby

Thursday 12th December

The Grimsby Keyboard & Electronic Organ Club, formed over 60 years ago, sadly closed down at the end of 2024.

We would, through Organfax, express our thanks to the many organists who have entertained our members and Guests over the years, all staff at the venues we have used, and OrganFax, for their help over the years. 

Regards, Mike Lowther, Hon. Secretary, on behalf of the Club.

Video of Len Rawle MBE Tribute Afternoon

Thursday 5th December

A couple of weeks ago there was a very special afternoon in celebration and memory of the life of master musician Len Rawle, who passed away a year ago. 

Len had a huge impact on the organ world internationally, being largely responsible for the design of Yamaha Electones for many years, including the popular D85 and the FX/FS/FE range, and also saved over 40 theatre pipe organs. 

The 2 hour long event was put together by Len's long term fan and friend, organist Michael Wooldridge, with guest appearances from fellow organists Byron Jones and Andy Quin, oration from Richard Moore and Richard Cole, and photo and video memories shared by the Woking Wurlitzer Team.

If you would like to enjoy this informative and musical celebration of Len's life, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2V9LgBKrqM (link opens in new tab)

For more information about future events at Woking visit www.wokingwurlitzer.co.uk (link opens in new tab)