Lenny Dee
1923-2006
Lenny Dee played the Hammond organ in a style that was uniquely his own. His rhythm was outstanding. He loved to be accompanied by just a live drummer in his early days, and listening to him was a foot tapping experience. Traditional jazz, boogie and swing were styles that made him in demand for recordings on the Decca label with titles that reflected his name, such as, Dee-Lightful, and Dee-Licious, to mention just two. It can be said that he was Dee-master of dee organ.
Lenny’s drawbar (tone) settings were unconventional and produced interesting effects together with the Leslie tone cabinet. In later years, an orchestra was added to his recordings and he played in a more conventional style. In the 1970’s he became known as a great country organist. It was around this time that his recordings were popular in the UK with many towns having their own Hammond Organ Societies. It was certainly the sound of the era when no social club in the UK was complete without the “Hammond Sound” - with Lenny helping to make it popular along with other well-known players.
In the 1980’s British residential festivals became popular and there was often talk of Lenny being a guest at one of them, but it never materialised.
After touring the USA., Lenny eventually settled down in 1967 and opened Lenny Dee’s Dolphin Den on St. Petersburg Beach, Florida. For around ten years, he delighted organ lovers and with his scintillating style, sung ditties, jokes and hats. Alan Ashton, UK’s organ broadcaster -journalist, paid him a visit and remembers him going around the audience asking for requests with the name of each guest. His memory was such that he never forgot a name.
Lenny retired sometime after opening Lenny Dee’s Kings Inn, only a few miles from the Den. His original recordings are sure to become collector’s items, reproducing a sound that will not be forgotten in our lifetime.
Brief biography and
list of Lenny's recordings
LATE EXTRA
And His Music Lives On....
Jasmine Records have just released a double CD album with the title "DoubleDee-Light"
featuring 48 tunes from Lenny Dee's previous albums. The album is available by post from
MSS Studios for only £8.95 plus postage, which for a double album, is excellent
value for money. For full details, including the list
of tunes, click here
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