A Catalog of Women Hammond B-3 Players: From the Two Shirleys to Akiko and More
- Bill Milkowski
- Jun 24
- 5 min read
Updated: Aug 4
To quote Michael Corleone from The Godfather III: “Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in!” I thought Part V of my ongoing series on Hammond B-3 organ appreciation would be the finale. I believed I could move on to something else. But I recently realized I had overlooked something crucial. I hadn’t cataloged the brilliant women players who have significantly contributed to the B-3 canon over the years. Here’s a look at six of them.
The Queen of the Organ: Shirley Scott
It all begins with Shirley Scott. Nicknamed the “Queen of the Organ,” Scott was born in Philadelphia. She grew up surrounded by music. Her father ran a jazz club in their home’s basement, and her brother played saxophone. She started piano lessons at eight, switched to trumpet at the Philadelphia High School for Girls, and returned to piano in the early 1950s. In 1955, she transitioned to the organ while collaborating with tenor saxophonist Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis. Their 1958 hit, “In the Kitchen,” brought her national recognition. That same year, Scott released her debut album on Prestige, Great Scott!, featuring covers of Cole Porter’s “All of You,” Miles Davis’ “Four,” and Ray Noble’s “Cherokee,” along with a fiery rendition of the samba classic, “Brazil.”
By the early ‘60s, Scott was playing soul-jazz with saxophonist Stanley Turrentine, who later became her husband. They toured and recorded nine albums together, including Dearly Beloved (1961), Never Let Me Go (1963), Blue Flames (1964), Let It Go (1966), and Common Touch (1969). In addition, she released several solo albums, such as Soul Searching (1959), Soul Sister (1960), Girl Talk (1967), Something (1970), and Superstition (1973). Sadly, Scott passed away from heart failure in 2002 at the age of 67.
The Barefoot Lady: Rhoda Scott
Next, we have Rhoda Scott, known as “The Barefoot Lady.” She grew up in her father’s church, where she started playing organ at age seven. “The first thing I did was take my shoes off and work the pedals,” she recalled in an interview. By nine, she was the church organist. She later studied at the Manhattan School of Music and, by age 20, began playing organ in an R&B group. Scott eventually formed her own band and opened for Count Basie at a club in Newark. In 1963, she recorded her first album, Live! at the Key Club, on the Prestige label.
In 1967, Scott moved to France, where she still lives and continues to record at age 87. She has over 40 albums as a leader to her name, with her most recent being 2024’s Fly Me to the Moon on the Black and Blue label. True to her nickname, she still plays barefoot.
Rising Star: Trudy Pitts
Another Philadelphia native, Trudy Pitts, began her studies at Temple University and later at Juilliard. She was hailed as a rising star organist in 1967 with her debut album, Introducing the Fabulous Trudy Pitts. This album featured guitarist Pat Martino and her husband, Bill “Mr. C.” Carney, on drums. That same trio released her second Prestige album, These Blues of Mine, later that year.
In the mid-‘70s, she played on three albums by Rahsaan Roland Kirk: Other Folks’ Music, The Return of the 5000 LB. Man, and Kirkatron. In 1993, she released a solo piano album, Me Myself and I, and shifted her focus to piano in the latter part of her career. Pitts died from pancreatic cancer in December 2010 at age 78.
The Innovator: Barbara Dennerlein
German organist Barbara Dennerlein burst onto the international jazz scene in the mid-‘80s. She gained attention for her innovative use of MIDI synth pedals, which triggered unique sounds from her Hammond B-3 organ. She is also known for her exceptional swing and authentic blues feel. Born in Munich, Dennerlein began playing organ at age 11. She played a Hohner before acquiring a Hammond at 13. By 14, she was performing in concerts and jazz clubs, often leading her bands. In 1982, at 18, she made her first television appearance, dubbed “The Organ Tornado from Munich.”
Dennerlein recorded her first albums in the mid-‘80s on her label, Bebab. She later signed with Enja Records, releasing her acclaimed Straight Ahead in 1988, followed by Hot Stuff (1991) and That’s Me (1992). She joined the Verve label in 1995, debuting with Take Off! that year, followed by Junkaroo (1996) and Outhipped (2000). She has since released numerous recordings on her Bebab label while continuing to tour Europe.
The Spirit of Jazz: Akiko Tsuruga
Hailing from Osaka, Akiko Tsuruga made her mark on Japan's jazz scene before moving to New York City in 2001. She was mentored by Hammond B-3 organ legend Dr. Lonnie Smith. Tsuruga began playing with icons like Lou Donaldson and Grady Tate. Soon, she established herself as a leader in the NYC jazz scene.
An inventive and ebullient player, she carried the spirit of elder statesmen like Jimmy Smith, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Charles Earland, Jack McDuff, and Jimmy McGriff. She made her recording debut as a leader with 2004’s Harlem Drive, featuring Tate on drums. Her 2008 album, NYC Serenade, included another legendary drummer, Jimmy Cobb. Tsuruga later formed close partnerships with tenor saxophonist Jerry Weldon, guitarist Eric Johnson, and drummer Rudy Petschauer, her band on 2009’s Oriental Express. Her final album was 2019’s Equal Time, with guitarist Graham Dechter and drummer Jeff Hamilton. Tragically, Tsuruga passed away on September 13, 2025, at the age of 58 after a brief illness.
The Rising Stars of Today
Based in Columbus, Ohio, Linda Dachtyl has been lighting up the B-3 scene since she climbed onto an inexpensive Sears organ her father bought her at age six. Inspired by rock bands that incorporated organ sounds, she later fell in love with jazz after acquiring her first Hammond B-3. She drew inspiration from iconic players like Jimmy Smith, Charles Earland, Jimmy McGriff, and Groove Holmes. She even paid tribute to Columbus’s own Hank Marr on her first CD, 2006’s Blue Bop, released on fellow organist Tony Monaco’s Chicken Coup label. She followed this with For Hep Cats (2008) and A Late One (2015), both on Chicken Coup. Her latest album, Full Steam Ahead, recorded in 2025 at her Pterodactyl home studio with her husband Cary Dachtyl on drums, features a medley that includes James Moody’s “Last Train From Overbrook” and Gene Ludwig’s “Back on the Track.”
A Tribute to Women in Jazz
A complete list of women Hammond B-3 players (courtesy of B-3 aficionado Pete Fallico) would also include: Gloria Coleman, Jane Jarvis, Carla Bley, Amina Claudine Myers, Miki Yamanaka, Midori Ono, Atsuko Hashimoto, Adrienne Fenemor, Bobbie Lee, Bu Pleasant, Cherry Wainer, Dee Dee Ford, Dottie Timberlake, Ethel Smith, Gayle Serdan, Grace Potter, Jocelyn Michelle, Judy Blair, Julia Driessen, Lady Byron, Lady Margaret, Loretta Whyte, Merit Hemmingson, Mindy Canter, Nonoka Nagao, Roberta Piket, Sarah McLawler, Sundra Manning, Vanessa Rodrigues, Leonieke Scheuble, Ana Petrova, and Twinkie Clark.
Looks like I may have to get to work on a Part VII.
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