OrganFax – Spotlight on Phil Kelsall - 1

OrganFax.co.uk Spotlight

PHIL KELSALL

organ there! I n 1975 he joined Authors for his service to the the then Tower British music industry. Fellow Company playing the organ in the recipients of this award have famous circus within and was included Shirley Bassey and Jools often featured on the in Holland. He was also in the the Ball room during Ernest Classic Top 20 for 12 weeks back Broadbent’s residency. Then in in 2001 – which again is qui te an 1977, Phil took over the coveted unprecedented achievement for a bench and followed in th e album. His footsteps of Reginald Dixon as recordings catalogue spills over master of the world’s most into the world of DVD and video famous Mighty Wurlitzer pipe with again, regular releases since organ. A revival in ballroom 1983. Likewise, Phil is no dancing saw the use of this stranger to the TV screen with amazing theatre organ literally appearances on 2 ‘Songs Of Praise’ flourish as a source of music to to date, filmed demonstrating the skip the light fantastic too and it Wurlitzer with the likes of wasn’t l ong before thousands of Barbara Windsor, David Soul and holiday makers and locals alike Rod Hull as well as his music made regular pilgrimages to appearing on the likes of ‘Last Of It goes without saying that being Blackpool in order to dance to and The Summer Wine’ and many the ‘Principal Resident Organist of listen to the infectious sound and adverts. He was featured recently the Tower Ballroom, Blackpool’ is style of Phil Kelsall and his music. with TV come dienne ‘Jo Brand’ in just about the most iconic position Kelsall also became something of a program where she learned to imaginable in the world of a ‘trend setter’ introducing the play the organ. Probably his most popular organ music. That said, hits of the discos and airwaves memorable meeting was greeting the musical world of Phil Kelsall into the organ repertoire with Her Majesty , The Queen in the extends far beyond the 4 corners music from the likes of Gloria Tower Ballroom. Phil is featured of the legendary Blackpool dance Gaynor, the Bee Gees and Abba every month on BBC Radio 2’s hall. complimenting the more familiar strains of the eras song pluggers This month’s spotlight profiles the and dance orchestras. man and his music – both in his popular Fylde coast setting and Phil recorded his first LP for EMI also into the ‘wider world’ of the back in 1978 and at least one young Mr. Blackpool! album per year has been presented since, making Phil Born in 1956, Phil had already without doubt the most prolific showed great prowess as a recording artiste in recent times budding musician by his mid so far as the organ world is teens. In fact, he was noted for ‘The Organist entertains’ as well concerned. In fact, 1993 saw Phil sneaking off P.E lessons while as countless other programmes receive the coveted Gold Badge attending the Rossall School in throu ghout the world. Award of the Britis h Academy of order to practice on the chapel Songwriters, Composers and

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His punishing daily schedule of For many, the music of Phil Kelsall dance accompaniment begins in will evoke nostalgic memories of the early summer, lasting right Reginald Dixon and halcyon times through until October. Phil’s spent in Blackpool, but his attention then turns to the eastern younger admirers enjoy side of where he returns something of an ultimate every year to join the cast of the performer who manages to now world famous ‘Christmas unwittingly combine dexterity, Spectacular Show’ held at the showmanship and sheer musical Thursford Collection in Norfolk. brilliance into a winning formula Playing the incredible ex Odeon which has most certainly earned Leeds Wurlitzer installed there, him the title of ‘Britain’s No.1 Phil joins a bevy of fellow Entertainment Organist’. musicians, dancers, singers, pipers and West End Stars for an Chris Powell, February 2009 amazing annual production – OrganFax.co.uk 2009 will see nearly 30 years of the production of which Phil has played for the majority! The 100 or so performances sell out almost a year in advance each time making the event one of the most sought after in the world of popular entertainment.

Phil’s wintertime duties include many concerts throughout the length and breadth of the UK. In addition to performing on many of the residential theatre pipe organs, he makes a number of performances on his Technics FA1 organ – a model, on which he has also made a number of electronic organ CDs. This once flagship organ has spawned a new dimension to his musical repertoire with an excursion into the world of more orchestral music – both of the classical and also more popular idiom. The Technics also provides an ideal platform with which to accompany ballroom dances in venues without a theatre organ.

Away from the UK, his overseas invitations have seen him as far away as Australia and New Zealand and Phil now regularly tours the USA with 3 dates about to be undertaken in Florida as we go to press.

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