Steven L. Jones is known for demonstrating his sheer joy in playing the Hammond B-3 organ. He’s been playing at numerous church services across the city for more than four decades.
A local chapter of the Gospel Music Workshop of America decided it was time to recognize many years of musical service with a tribute coming up this weekend. KMUW’s Carla Eckels talks to Steven about his music and his impact on the community.
Carla Eckels: It’s been 40 years since you have been in the city of Wichita and you have contributed to so many churches in so many ways with your music. First of all, what led you to play the Hammond B-3 organ?
Steven Jones: I think it was just watching some of the musicians in my home church in Denver. I like the organ. I like the sound of it, I like the power of it, I like the fullness of it. It’s rich, and especially with the Hammond, the Leslie speaker, you get the surge of the rotors moving the tremolo and it’s, there’s nothing else like it.
Why did you decide to record the song “I Know It Was The Blood”?
Well, it’s a song that I play mostly during communion service and I wanted to do it a little bit different but yet keep the integrity of the song. Sometimes after church we’d play it and we’d just bebop it sometimes, and I thought it would be nice to record it like that.
When you say to keep the original integrity, what do you mean?
The original song is still there and then we can go off. There’s an old theory in classical music called theme and variation, and so I like to state the theme so everybody can recognize what the tune is and then go off and variate it.
Who’s playing on this particular song?
On this song Cameo Profit on drums , Deloren Black on guitar and I’m on organ.
How would you describe the way you play the Hammond B-3 electric organ?
Actually, for most organists, they play a little more reserved, a little more smooth. I’m very aggressive. I play it like a Mack truck. The Hammond is my prayer ground.
Prayer ground? What does that mean?
That means I’m very comfortable there. If I’m in distress I know I can go and meet God there. It’s kind of like the movie "The War Room," that’s kind of like my place.
The War Room is where you go in a closet or some special place and pray.
Correct. And for me that’s--the organ is like that for me.
You have lead and helped so many people in terms of musicians. Let’s talk about your work at Wichita Heights High School.
The late Rev. George Embers asked me to come help do the gospel choir at Wichita Heights. I got to do it and I was very fortunate to do that and I was actually able to do some recording with them.
What was the best part of that experience, working with students in the music department at Wichita Heights High School?
One of the best memories that I had was the second year. I walked in and was tripping over folks at the door. In the choir room there was like about 140 people--all creeds, all races--there to sing gospel music.
That’s incredible. About 140 kids?
It was 120 to 140 kids in the choir room. They’d be sitting on top of each other, almost. And there’s some very fine musicians that Wichita is being blessed with now that came through that.
You’ve played in various services and you talk about various denominations: Baptist, Methodist Catholic...
Pentecostals, Church of God in Christ. I’ve played a service with the Church of the Brethren.
You are just so gifted, you’re very versatile.
The Lord has allowed me those opportunities, and folks have been receptive to the way I play. ...I try to be respectful and conscious of their culture and worship service.
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Carla Eckels is assistant news director and the host of Soulsations. Follow her on Twitter @Eckels.
To contact KMUW News or to send in a news tip, reach us at news@kmuw.org.
