Hammond B3 organist Pat Bianchi was a mainstay on the Denver jazz scene for years, playing with a who’s who of Mile High musicians and performing regularly at the city’s best nightclubs.

VISIT DENVER: Tell us a bit about how you started playing the Hammond B3.

PAT BIANCHI: When I was 16 I got a CD for Christmas, Joey DeFrancesco’s Live at The 5 Spot. [Joey] is one of the world’s greatest Hammond B3 players. Listening to that recording when I was a teenager opened up my ears to a whole new world and also it helped me gather a further appreciation for many other jazz greats. After hearing Live at The 5 Spot, I wanted to play the Hammond B3 like Joey and figure all of that out! So I began my own studies in jazz organ. I had a Hammond organ in Rochester, NY (where I grew up) but after finishing at the Berklee College of Music and moving to Denver to be the house pianist at El Chapultepec, I wasn’t able to bring my Hammond out to Colorado. After living in Denver for about a year, I found a used Hammond B and began yet another long, intensive phase of constant shedding on the instrument and began gigging [with it] on a regular basis. That led to me soon quitting piano altogether and just focusing on the Hammond B3. It was a good move. I was always busy working at the clubs on the scene at the time, at Herb's, Round Midnight and Envie (both clubs that use to have jazz in Boulder) places in Five Points, etc. This all led up to me playing a dueling concert with my mentor Joey DeFrancesco in 2002. My focus on the instrument has continued to grow and has not stopped. Now I am fortunate to be playing with some of the best in the world, all over the planet. 

VISIT DENVER: The Hammond B3 is a very big instrument – is it tough to get it from gig to gig?

PAT BIANCHI: Moving a regular B3 from gig to gig is a hassle. At 350 lbs, it’s not practical whether [I’m in] in Denver or Manhattan (where I live right now). It's just too bulky for one person to move. So technology has advanced to the point that there are many smaller more lightweight digital versions of the organ that are much easier to transport. But for special concerts and high profile shows such as JazzFest Denver, I will be using a real Hammond B3 and Leslie speaker. Portable is nice, but nothing beats the real thing!

VISIT DENVER:  Is the Denver jazz scene a strong one? Who are some fellow musicians you recommend checking out?  

PAT BIANCHI: You always need to get the general public behind the arts and music. They need to continue to go out to the clubs and support the music, so the clubs can do well and continue hiring great music. There are so many great musicians in Denver people need to see: Eric Gunnison, Andy Weyl and Jeff Jenkins are incredible pianists. Drummers Paul Romaine, Todd Reid and Jim White. Bassists Ken Walker, Mark Diamond, Paul Warburton or Mark Simon ... Horn players Laura Newman, Keith Oxman, John Gunther, Rich Chairaluce ... Guitarists Dave Corbus, Steve Kavolcheck ... The list of Denver-based cats goes on and on. So many of them are world class cats! My favorite place to play jazz is Herb’s in LoDo. I had a steady gig there for almost 6 years. It’s not only a great place to play... The proprietor, Laura Newman, is a working musician herself so she is always fair and treats the musicians great. The vibe of the club is something that is dying as well. It has that warm, neighborhood kind of feeling to it. I have played so many places in Denver and across the world… and most of those places are missing that element! My favorite place to see jazz is the Mt. Vernon Country Club. Peter Clampitt brings in great musicians and always has a first class presentation. That is, in my opinion, the best venue to see a live jazz concert. Great food, intimate setting and a great view of the city!

VISIT DENVER: What are your plans for the rest of 2009?

PAT BIANCHI: I have been living in New York City since June [and] I'm constantly working and touring these days. My hope is just to continue doing just that. I have been involved with a few recording projects since releasing my first CD in 2006, East Coast Roots, which was well-received both nationally and internationally. I am in the process of negotiating the terms of recording my second CD, slated for late summer. It will feature some very well known musicians in the jazz world and possibly a Denver native as well. If you want to know who, you'll have to buy the record when it comes out!

Get more info on Pat's shows and recordings at www.patbianchi.com.