David Gray plays the King Kong March on a wurlitzer theatre organ

Posted on April 15th, 2010 by admin

I was fooling around with the King Kong March on the newly installed 3/15 Wurlitzer in Glasgow. I could not resist documenting on video one of the very rare chances I actually get to play a theatre organ! The march is from the original 1930s film, and was first plyed on a theatre organ by Jim Rosevere. This arrangement is more symphonic and “serious” than the big band version from the film. The massive wood diaphone in the hall really makes this piece! For those of you who know the piece well, yes I know I changed it a little-I just felt like it. No one plays it the same anyway.

Duration : 0:2:54


[youtube Y2KDtgbfSZg]

25 Responses

  1. PianoWorldEnterprise Says:

    Great job, guy. WE …
    Great job, guy. WE WANT MORE VIDEOS of YOU!!!! Come on its been a year.

  2. steamboat75043 Says:

    well done – a …
    well done – a pleasure to hear you play it.

  3. shorttim77 Says:

    David! When are …
    David! When are you playing in Sydney???

  4. davidgray2 Says:

    I am playing a …
    I am playing a concert in Sydney, but the scheule says either of those organs.

  5. craigkeller1966 Says:

    I certainly hope …
    I certainly hope you are scheduled to play one of our WurliTzers in Sydney. Have you been told yet whether it will be the 3/17 or the 2/11?

  6. shnewsman Says:

    It’s nice to know …
    It’s nice to know there’s a new generation of good players who are keeping the theatre organ sound and spirit alive! David and others are the new Jelani Eddingtons, Walt Stronys and Simon Gledhills. David–that sounds just like Simon’s version on the Detroit Fox CD…

  7. davidgray2 Says:

    Funny you should …
    Funny you should mention that-I’m doing one this coming July!

  8. craigkeller1966 Says:

    David – excellent …
    David – excellent playing and arranging. Perhaps we may see you on a concert tour to Australia one day.

  9. capeguy954 Says:

    David – you are …
    David – you are GREAT! I would have loved to have heard you on the Wurlitzer that we used to have in our home near Chicago – great recreation of Rosie’s arrangment of King Kong March!

  10. luckytile Says:

    Great playing, but …
    Great playing, but can you tell me: is the delay between finger movements and sound the result of the video recording and transfer process, or does an organ like that have a real delay?

    I’ve heard that pipe organs do. It must make it really difficult.

  11. davidgray2 Says:

    Thanks for that! Im …
    Thanks for that! Im afraid i have absolutely no idea as to where to find a score; I just learned it from the recording.

  12. gudge8 Says:

    hi, excellent.. …
    hi, excellent..thoroughly enjoyed the video….however I was wondering if you could point me in the right direction fo finding a copy of the score for this song…I have been looking for a while on and off and to me it seems like rocking horse manure :S

  13. Kilgen82 Says:

    Nice playing man! …
    Nice playing man! Keep it up!

  14. koasterkav Says:

    In Scotland? Was …
    In Scotland? Was this organ already in Scotland before it was moved to it’s current location? Very well done and played.

  15. DoJoRa3 Says:

    Great job, David! …
    Great job, David! Have you forgotten even A SINGLE THING?!?
    I know you’d been more focused on the piano for a while, but it appears that for you at least, playing a theatre organ is just like riding a bicycle! Amazing!
    We’re STILL dying to buy your first theatre organ CD, and ALWAYS hoping to somehow see you again soon!

    Best wishes from Ohio!
    - Don

  16. shorttim77 Says:

    Have always …
    Have always ennjoyed your ATOS appearances! Don’t forget to come and play my GW4 next time you are in Philly to play the Wannamaker organ! ;)

  17. Salmagundiii Says:

    fantastic playing.. …
    fantastic playing…thanks

  18. ztoigo Says:

    did you know?
    David …

    did you know?
    David Gray has a song called “Wurlitzer”

  19. PictureHouseCinema Says:

    Excellent rendering …
    Excellent rendering of a Max Steiner classic.

  20. davidgray2 Says:

    Thanks Matthew. Put …
    Thanks Matthew. Put it this way: given that the organ is on a 20 foot balcony, if it floods now we have bigger worries that a Wurlitzer organ!

  21. matthewbason Says:

    Great playing, …
    Great playing, David. Lets hope that the Wurlitzer has a safer future in its new venue after what happened at Clydebank!

  22. megablocksmad Says:

    nice wurlitzer …
    nice wurlitzer proper theatre organ sound and cool playing

  23. joe22twentytoo Says:

    well done !!!
    well done !!!

  24. pianolasociety Says:

    what an absolutely …
    what an absolutely amazing performance! Totally brilliant! Well done!

  25. davdee103 Says:

    well done – sounds …
    well done – sounds fantastic
    i have a dvd of you taking part in the usa
    and articles in a.t.o.s -keep the vids coming
    thanks

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