About
Bill Dilks and the Hammond B3 Experience
For more than 60 years, Hammond organist Bill Dilks has pursued a singular musical vision. This vision is to reveal the full expressive power of the Hammond B3 as both an orchestra and a defining voice of jazz.
Inspired early by Earl Grant’s ability to channel the spirit of the Count Basie Orchestra through the Hammond, Bill developed a distinctive approach that combines orchestral thinking, jazz improvisation, and the unmistakable sonic authority of the instrument. His playing transforms the Hammond into a complete musical system—bass, harmony, melody, and rhythm—performed simultaneously through a highly developed pedal bass technique and fluid two-manual performance.
Bill’s musical foundation began with brass instruments, where he developed a deep understanding of ensemble interaction, phrasing, and dynamics. Later, into the mid to late 1960s, his discovery of the Hammond organ and studies with organist Paul Richardson provided the theoretical grounding that shaped his lifelong approach to music.
During the 1970s and early 1980s, Bill performed full-time in clubs and on cruise ships, full-time five to six nights per week, developing the instincts and audience connection that define entertaining live performance. Later, while attending Berklee College of Music, he deepened his understanding of music theory and structure, even assisting in teaching theory classes.
In 1980, Bill joined the Hammond Organ Company as a performing artist and demonstrator, traveling nationwide for concerts, dealer training, and major public presentations. His performances, at times staged in darkened venues of 1000 attendees or more with just a spotlight on Bill and the instrument, showcased the Hammond not as a product, but as a powerful and emotional musical force. These experiences reinforced a lasting truth that continues to guide his performing today. Audiences connect not to specifications, but to sound and feeling.
Over the years, Bill has shared musical experiences with leading artists including Joey DeFrancesco, Tony Monaco, and Ernie Watts. He has remained deeply connected to the legacy of Hammond greats such as Jimmy Smith, Jimmy McGriff, and Groove Holmes. One of the most meaningful moments of his career came when he performed for Jimmy McGriff near the end of his life, demonstrating that profound ability of music to communicate beyond physical limitation.
Today, Bill presents The Hammond B3 Experience, a 75-minute live performance that blends jazz, storytelling, history, and demonstration. Performing on a reliable Viscount Legend Soul 273 paired with a Leslie 122 speaker, he brings the classic Hammond sound to modern audiences with authenticity and power.
The program explores the history of the Hammond, the role of drawbars and the Leslie speaker, its influence across jazz, swing, soul, and rock, and the orchestral approach that allows a single musician to create the sound of an entire ensemble. Bill continues to pursue the sound that first inspired him, a sound that is an orchestra, a jazz voice, and a timeless force of nature.
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A funny story that I mention in my promo materials...
One evening I’m doing an organ gig in one of the Atlantic City casinos. I recognized a comedian in the back of the lounge, seated with another gentleman. They got up and went off in different directions. As they did so, I stopped what I was playing and immediately went into the comedian's theme song, LA VIRGEN DE LA MACARENA. He stopped for a moment, shaking his head, smiling his devilish smile, then continued on his way. After a few moments, Don Rickles re-entered the lounge, walked slowly by me at the Hammond and opined, “That was nice kid, but what time’s the piano player start?”, and continued toward the rear of the lounge. We chatted for a bit after. He was a genuine, real-time sweet guy.
Thanks for looking me up. Please stop by and say hello while visiting one of my shows.
One evening I’m doing an organ gig in one of the Atlantic City casinos. I recognized a comedian in the back of the lounge, seated with another gentleman. They got up and went off in different directions. As they did so, I stopped what I was playing and immediately went into the comedian's theme song, LA VIRGEN DE LA MACARENA. He stopped for a moment, shaking his head, smiling his devilish smile, then continued on his way. After a few moments, Don Rickles re-entered the lounge, walked slowly by me at the Hammond and opined, “That was nice kid, but what time’s the piano player start?”, and continued toward the rear of the lounge. We chatted for a bit after. He was a genuine, real-time sweet guy.
Thanks for looking me up. Please stop by and say hello while visiting one of my shows.