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Pat Bianchi

A modern ambassador of the mighty Hammond B3, organist Pat Bianchi demonstrates a deep knowledge of jazz-organ history yet draws from a wide range of other musical influences. The result is a unique and creative voice that acknowledges the tradition while looking beyond at the same moment.

His musical tenacity paved the way for 9 CD releases as a leader, extensive tours through out the United States and Europe, appearances at numerous jazz festivals and most recently opening for Steely Dan for 3 consecutive east coast tours. In addition to being a prolific bandleader Bianchi has appeared as a guest on over 30 recordings. The award winning organist has also enjoyed tenured membership in the bands of some of the most highly revered artists in jazz including; Pat Martino, Lou Donaldson, Joe Locke, Ralph Peterson Jr. and Chuck Loeb.

With additional performance credits which include: Red Holloway, George Coleman, Terrace Martin, Mark Whitfield, Joey DeFrancesco, Roy Ayers, Terell Stafford, Dakota Staton, Javon Jackson, Tim Warfield and Alvin Queen among many others, Bianchi continues to be in high demand. His command of the instrument, harmonic prowess, rhythmic intensity and versatility are rivaled by few.

Born in Rochester New York, Bianchi hails from a musically gifted family. He began playing organ at the age of 7 and was playing his first professional gigs by the age of 11. In grade school he was enrolled at The Eastman School of Music’s preparatory program for piano and music theory while at the same time, being mentored by numerous musicians in the Rochester music scene. Upon graduation from Berklee, Bianchi relocated to Denver, CO where he further honed his skill as musician. Inevitably he would relocate back to the east coast and New York City has been his home for over 15 years.

While maintaining an active performance schedule, Bianchi also teaches jazz organ at Berklee College of Music. He has been an integral author of curriculum for one of the first Hammond organ programs and official majors offered by an institution of higher education. You can also hear Pat on Sirius XM Radio where he hosts the weekly show “Organized” featuring the greats of Jazz organ.

Awards

Winner of 2016 Downbeat Magazines Critics Rising Star Poll

Gear

Official endorsing artist of Viscount Legend Organs, Bookerlab Audio, Loundsberry Pedals, Pearl/McMillen Instruments and Acustica Audio.

Barry Greene: Giants

by Jack Bowers
May 8, 2026

The Giants singled out by guitarist Barry Greene on his recording of that name include a number of musicians who served as role models and helped shape his singular musical voice. Pat Martino is one, as are Grant Green, Wes Montgomery, Russell Malone and Pat Metheny, each one a stepping-stone on Greene's upward path toward self-identity and mastery of his instrument of choice. Greene paid it forward by teaching for more than thirty years at the University of North Florida ...

Album Review

Pat Bianchi: Confluence

Read "Confluence" reviewed by Pierre Giroux

by Pierre Giroux
March 24, 2026

Pat Bianchi has never been content to let the organ settle into its own mythology. With Confluence, he shows that the organ trio, when in skilled hands, remains one of the most energetic formats in jazz. Joined by saxophonist Troy Roberts and drummer Colin Stranahan, Bianchi delivers a seven-track session that feels more like a late-night set in a lively club than a studio recording; urgent, honest, and full of purpose. The opener, “It Was A Very Good ...

Radio & Podcasts

Classics from Paul Chambers, Eddie Jefferson, and Others With New Music from Joe Gransden, Pat Bianchi and More

by David W. Daniels
March 24, 2026

Artists named above, plus classics from Betty Carter, Big John Patten, and others. New music from Marques Carroll, Ron Carter with Ricky Dillard, and more. Birthday recognition for Charles Lloyd, Nat King Cole, Gary Meek, and others.Playlist Grachan Moncur III “New Africa"--from Exploration (Capri) 00:00 McCoy Tyner “Little Madimba"--from Time For Tyner (Blue Note) 12:18 Freddie Hubbard “Blue Frenzy"--from Breaking Point (Blue Note) 20:46 Betty Carter “Ego"--from Finally (Roulette) 27:02 Paul Chambers “Dear Ann"--from Whims Of Chambers (Blue ...

Album Review

Jorge Cariglino: After the Storm

Read "After the Storm" reviewed by Fran Kursztejn

by Fran Kursztejn
March 21, 2025

Spanish-Argentinian guitarist Jorge Cariglino has maintained an important influence on the jazz game in jny: Madrid for most of his life. He teaches in there, plays with a variety of local and international masters and bolsters an under-reported community to new heights of experimentation and collaboration, despite an unusually slim catalogue of recorded works. After the Storm is more than just a welcome showcase of a talented musician reintroducing his craft to the rest of the world. It is also ...

Liner Notes

Tim Warfield: One For Shirley

by C. Andrew Hovan
February 20, 2024

Jimmy Smith and Larry Young have continually set the benchmark for creative endeavors involving jazz and the Hammond B-3 organ, Smith being acknowledged for bringing the technical virtuosity of be-bop to the instrument and Young for expanding the vernacular based on the forward-thinking implications of John Coltrane. Somewhere in between these two, a colorful range of styles proliferated throughout the '50s and '60s, from the cocktail jazz of Milt Buckner to the soulful grooves of Big" John Patton. But it ...

Album Review

Clark Gibson: Counterclock

Read "Counterclock" reviewed by Pierre Giroux

by Pierre Giroux
September 10, 2023

Saxophonist Clark Gibson's Counterclock demonstrates the synergy that can be generated by an outstanding group of performers, including trumpeter Sean Jones, trombonist Michael Dease, Hammond B-3 organist Pat Bianchi, vibraphonist Nick Mancini and drummer extraordinaire Lewis Nash. While pushing the boundaries, the set list, with one exception, is made up of original compositions by Gibson and Mancini. The opener, “Conflict," captures Gibson's emotive alto saxophone work as he is pushed along by Nash's drumming and Bianchi's ...

Album Review

Shawn Purcell: 180

by Jack Bowers
October 19, 2022

Guitarist Shawn Purcell's latest CD, 180, is all about swinging; Purcell's trio (Pat Bianchi on Hammond B3 organ, Jason Tiemann on drums) nestles squarely into the groove on the double-quick opener, “Cat and Mouse," which sets an upbeat tone for the album as a whole. The rhythm seldom flags on Purcell's sunny compositions (he wrote all but one of the album's eleven numbers). An exception to the rhythmic rule is the lone standard, Johnny Mercer & Paul ...

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Recording

Guitarist Chuck Loeb Releases "Plain 'N' Simple", B-3 Organ Combo Date w/Harvey Mason, Pat Bianchi, on Tweety Records

Source: Michael Bloom Media Relations
August 16, 2011

Long before Chuck Loeb embarked on his remarkably diverse career that has included being Stan Getz's musical director, holding the guitar chair in the 80s fusion ensemble Steps Ahead and, most recently, joining supergroup Fourplay, he was a kid growing up outside New York City, fascinated by the classic jazz organ trio sounds of his childhood. Capping a two decade-plus discography of popular and often groundbreaking contemporary jazz recordings, Loeb fulfills a lifelong dream with the release of Plain 'n' ...
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295

Recording

Organist Pat Bianchi Releases New CD "Back Home"

Source: Michael Ricci
July 1, 2010

New York City based jazz organist Pat Bianchi will be releasing his sophomore recording entitled Back Home on the Doodlin' Records label. It will be available nationwide on July 13, 2010.

Following the success of his first CD, East Coast Roots, released on Jazz Media, Bianchi's Back Home continues to showcase a different repertoire than that usually associated with the Hammond B3. On this recording, he performs compositions of Chick Corea, Ornette Coleman and John Coltrane among others.

This CD ...
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"The legacy and tradition of the organ is dependent on the young players of today. Pat Bianchi is one of the voices who will take it into the future." Dr. Lonnie Smith

"A virtuosic organist" Pat Martino

“Bianchi has carved out a spot for himself among jazz’s elite organists. While he’s a proponent of the classic organ trio sound, he’s not confined by it.” Phil Lutz

"Bianchi, has established his own voice as an organist, something not easily done and gives ample evidence why many regard him as the next big thing on the venerable Hammond B3"