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T.C. Pfeiler Prof.
Prof. T.C. Pfeiler - Austrias first international Hammond B3 Jazz-organist. Composer of more than 10.000 pieces of music
About Me
Born: January 1, 1958
T.C. Pfeiler was born Ewald Pfeiler on Jan.1, 1958 in Salzburg / Austria, the same city where classical music genius Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in 1756 and - forgotten! Later his work was discovered for - big business!
T.C. Pfeiler studied in Salzburg / Austria and in Munich / Germany but friend and mentor, Jazz-organ pioneer Wild Bill Davis (November 26, 1918 - August 17, 1995) was his most important teacher. T.C. Pfeiler was his only regular private student ever.
T.C. Pfeiler started out in his teenage years to play commercial dance music in April 1973 with a local amateur band named UP TO DATE “The Up To Date”. He left the group and also his regular day job as a motorcycle salesman in the late 1970s to work as a Hammond Jazz-organist professionally.
A hard project! During the late 1970s the original Hammond organ was replaced more and more by keyboards and electric pianos but T.C. was on his way.
He said: “I know, some great names give up now or fool around with this new toy keyboards. One day, they are back at the console. I believe in the original Hammond organ with electromagnetic tonewheel generator. It´s a beautiful and strong Jazz solo instrument with timeless sound quality. And I am here to keep that thing alive!” He was so right and it was very important that he came to the scene in this dark years for Hammond. Long before the mighty console celebrated a glorious comeback through a handful of young Jazz organ lions in the early 1990s.
As T.C. Pfeiler says: quality is timeless!
On April 18, 1978 he met Jazz organ pioneer Wild Bill Davis for the first time at the Internationale Jazzwoche Burghausen in Germany, a well known Jazzfestival at the Bavaria countryside. In 1978 Wild Bill Davis replaced Hamps long time pianist/organist Milt Buckner who passed on July 27,1977. Wild Bills regular organ for the 1978 Lionel Hampton Europe tour was a terrible poor sounding Hammond B3000, an early B3 “follower”, sponsored by Hammond Germany. At the end of the tour the B3000 was ready for the junkyard! Wild Bill Davis was so happy to get T.C. Pfeiler´s early Hammond organ, model C3 console for the Burghausen concert date. It was the beginning of a great friendship between the legendary Jazz-organ pioneer and the very young Jazz-organ newcomer from Austria.
During the first months T.C. Pfeiler worked as a single but soon, in August 1978 he formed his first regular working trio with organ, guitar and drums. Sometimes a saxophonist was added.
At the beginning of his career T.C. carried his Hammond organ in a roomy old hearse. (Jimmy Smith also used one when he startet out as a Jazz organist in the early 1950s). Many club owners and visitors had a problem with the black station wagon, specially when it was parked in front of a club. Soon T.C. switched to a van.
Countless club gigs and Jazz Festival dates in Europe and in the USA.
1980 Europe tour with the Lionel Hampton Bigband and Wild Bill Davis for Hammond. After a few days, Hamp and the other musicians called him “T.C.” (”The Console” = Hammond console organ). Stars of the 1980 Hampton Bigband were Joe Newman, 'Cat' Anderson and Wallace Davenport on trumpet, Curtis Fuller on trombone and sax legends Arnette Cleophus Cobb and Illinois Jacquet for some special concerts. Jamming with the old giants was a great help for T.C. Pfeiler in his early years as a Jazz-organist.
Eventually, the Austrian Gov. of Justice and Finance told Pfeiler in 1984 that he would have to register the “T.C.” in his passport, social security card etc. as a regular artists name. “T.C. Pfeiler & Hammond B3” - a international trademark for high quality Jazz-organ music and soon T.C. Pfeiler was known as Austrias only international Hammond Jazz-organist. He was called a “Hammond Guru” by some music magazine publishers.
On November 26, 1987 Wild Bill Davis and T.C. Pfeiler recorded a fantastic Live - LP. They played at the same time on two separate Hammond B3 organs! Never before and after Wild Bill Davis did recorded with orther organists.
Concerts, recordings and sessions with countless top names of the international Jazz, Funk and Blues scene like Herb Ellis, Red Holloway, Jim Galloway, Spike Robinson, Frank Foster, Bill Elgart, Ken Peplowski, Wild Bill Davis, Jack Mc Duff (four handed on a Hammond B3), Maceo Parker, Peter O Mara and most of the famous European musicians like Joe Nay, Carl Drewo, Harry Sokal, Joris Dudli, Michael Honzak, Mario Gonzi, Peter Legat, Louie Austen among others. Broadcasts, TV shows, studio work as arranger, composer, producer.
School concerts in Austria since the 1990s.
On the one hand, T.C. Pfeiler cultivates the tradition of Hammond Organ with Jazz and Blues, and on the other hand, he embraces the modern. There are Blues and Mainstream-Jazz oriented regular working trios and quartets, experimental duos and trios with organ and drums or with organ, sax and drums and T.C. Pfeilers incredible quintet and trio “Jazzid Funk”.
April 1992: Miss Ulrike Muehlbachler & T.C. Pfeiler move from Salzburg to Herzogenburg / Lower Austria and in Oktober 1994 to Maria Lanzendorf / Lower Austria, a small town close to Vienna / Austria.
2005: Carpe Diem (Red Bull) became T.C. Pfeilers official sponsor and in 2006, Carpe Diem “Live Tunes”, a special road show with a portable band stand, special designed for T.C. Pfeiler´s different organ groups was established.
This outstanding co-operation between the worldwide well known Austrian soft drink manufacturer Carpe Diem / Red Bull and the Austrian Jazz-organist T.C. Pfeiler is unique!
April 10, 2008: T.C. Pfeiler was honored by the Austrian Federal Ministry for Education, the Arts and Culture with the title Professor honoris causa for his continue work as a leading Hammond Jazz organist since three decades plus an outstanding high output of compositions.
Composition #10.000 was finished on Dec. 31, 2020. all tunes are registered with full lead sheets with the Austrian Society of Authors, Composers & Publishers AKM.
On December 7, 2023 Jazz-organist and composer of more than 10.000 pieces of music Prof. (Ewald) T.C. Pfeiler received the Austrian Cross Of Honor for Science And Art.
August 2024: New project (Miss) Ulrike Muehlbachler & T.C. Pfeiler - Live Painting And Live Music Performance www.umm.at
2024: More than 4.000 T.C. Pfeiler videos on Youtube
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXDWhG0AjY2dxQgSp6Ci8EHbNjdN9mh9D
Wild Bill Davis non profit tribut site:
https://wildbilldavis.com/
Check our label site: www.tonewheelrecords.com
Full discography is available from Discogs:
https://www.discogs.com/search/?q=t.c.+pfeiler&type=release
Ulrike Muehlbachler Fine Arts Online Gallery - established 1995!
https://ulrikemuehlbachler.com/index-engl.htm
Every T.C. Pfeiler project sounds great: for example listen to T.C.s original compositions on “ Out Of Space “! When he plays his own stuff it sounds completely unstrained and very different from other Jazz-organists ! A creative Jazz-musician is not just a reproducer. He creates his own language and unique sounds - the message. T.C.Pfeiler is such a Jazz musician.
Full discography:
T.C. Pfeiler - “Live At Club Art & Music” - LP - AC 00185 - 1985
T.C. Pfeiler - “Original elektro-magnetische Orgel Hammond B3” - MC - Studio Domino 850582 - 1985
Wild Bill Davis / T.C. Pfeiler - “70th/30th Anniversary Live Concert” - LP - Die Muehle Sound Recording A 850581 - 1987, released 1988
Gerhard Erler - “Ein Hauch von Zeit”, 5 tunes mit T.C. Pfeiler as arrangeur and keyboarder - LP - Die Muehle Sound Recording A 850481 - 1988
T.C. Pfeiler & Rudi Renger - “The New Sound Of Music” - MC & CD - Die Mühle Sound Recording 850 891 - 1988
T.C. Pfeiler - “Out Of Space” - CD - Tonewheel Records 199501 - 1995
Herb Ellis meets T.C. Pfeiler - CD - Tonewheel Records 199701 - 1994, released 1997
T.C. Pfeiler - “Dynaflow” - CD - Tonewheel Records 199702 - 1995, released 1997
Red Holloway / T.C. Pfeiler - “Day Dream” - CD - Tonewheel Records 199703 - 1997
T.C. Pfeiler - “For H.G.B.S.” - CD - Tonewheel Records 199704 - 1997
Jazz For Kosovo, 2 Stücke mit T.C. Pfeiler´s Jazzid Funk - CD - ORF CD214 - 1999
uptight33.compilation - The Big Lulu.Vol.3 - Austrian Rare Grooves from the 6T´s,7T´s and 8T´s - 1 Stück mit T.C. Pfeiler Jazz Organ Quartet - LP & CD Universal Emarcy 014553 - 2001
T.C. Pfeiler - “Live Grooves!” - CD - Tonewheel Records 200201 - 2002
T.C. Pfeiler - “Carpe Diem Jazz Lounge” - Cones & Tunes Vol. 1, Compilation - CD - 2005
T.C. Pfeiler - “Carpe Diem Jazz Lounge” - Swinging Christmas Lounge - CD - 2005
T.C. Pfeiler & Miss Ulrike Muehlbachler - “Vintage Bar & Lounge Sound Vol.1” - CD - Tonewheel Records TWR 201301 - 2013
T.C. Pfeiler & Miss Ulrike Muehlbachler - “Vintage Bar & Lounge Sound Vol.2” - CD - Tonewheel Records TWR 201302 - 2013
T.C. Pfeiler & Miss Ulrike Muehlbachler - “Vintage Bar & Lounge Sound Vol.3” - CD - Tonewheel Records TWR 201303 - 2013
T.C. Pfeiler & Miss Ulrike Muehlbachler - “Vintage Bar & Lounge Sound Vol.4” - CD - Tonewheel Records TWR 201304 - 2013
T.C. Pfeiler & Miss Ulrike Muehlbachler - “Vintage Bar & Lounge Sound Vol.5” - CD - Tonewheel Records TWR 201306 - 2013
T.C. Pfeiler & Miss Ulrike Muehlbachler - “Austro Folk Jazz - From Vienna To The Alps Vol.1” - CD - Tonewheel Records TWR 201305 - 2013
T.C. Pfeiler & Miss Ulrike Muehlbachler - “Vienna Folk Jazz Vol.1” - CD - Tonewheel Records TWR 201401 - 2014
T.C. Pfeiler & Miss Ulrike Muehlbachler - “Austro Folk Jazz - From Vienna To The Alps Vol.2” - CD - Tonewheel Records TWR 201402 - 2014
T.C. Pfeiler & Miss Ulrike Muehlbachler - “Vintage Bar & Lounge Sound Vol.6” - CD - Tonewheel Records TWR 201403 - 2014
T.C. Pfeiler & Miss Ulrike Muehlbachler - “Vintage Bar & Lounge Sound Vol.7” - CD - Tonewheel Records TWR 201404 - 2014
T.C. Pfeiler & Miss Ulrike Muehlbachler - “Vintage Bar & Lounge Sound Vol.8” - CD - Tonewheel Records TWR 201405 - 2014
T.C. Pfeiler & Up To Date Reunion Band - CD in LP-folding cover - Tonewheel Records TWR 201501 - 2015
T.C. Pfeiler Jazz Organ Trio - “Dimensions” - CD - Tonewheel Records TWR 201502 - 2015
T.C. Pfeiler & The Secret Two - CD - Tonewheel Records TWR 201503 - 2015
T.C. Pfeiler & Miss Ulrike Muehlbachler - “Midnight Blues & Ballads Vol.1” - Tonewheel Records TWR 201504 - 2015
T.C. Pfeiler & Miss Ulrike Muehlbachler - “Midnight Blues & Ballads Vol.2” - Tonewheel Records TWR 201505 - 2015
T.C. Pfeiler & Miss Ulrike Muehlbachler - “Midnight Blues & Ballads Vol.3” - Tonewheel Records TWR 201506 - 2015
T.C. Pfeiler & Miss Ulrike Muehlbachler - “Midnight Blues & Ballads Vol.4” - Tonewheel Records TWR 201507 - 2015
T.C. Pfeiler & Miss Ulrike Muehlbachler - “Vintage Bar & Lounge Sound Vol.9” - Tonewheel Records TWR 201508 - 2015
Miss Ulrike Muehlbachler - Featuring T.C. Pfeiler & Rudi Renger - “Sound Paintings” - CD - Tonewheel Records TWR 201509 - 2015
T.C. Pfeiler - “AKM In Motion” - CD - Tonewheel Records TWR 201601 - 2016
T.C. Pfeiler - “Blue Rockin´ & Jazzin´” - 2-CD Album - Tonewheel Records TWR 201602-2CD - 2016
T.C. Pfeiler - “From Juvavum To Salzburg” - Recorded live at Stiftung Mozarteum Salzburg, Large Hall - CD - Tonewheel Records TWR 201603 (DVD in preparation) - 2016
T.C. Pfeiler Jazz Organ Trio - “Barock Bar Live!” - recorded 2016 at legendary but since decades closed Barock Bar in Salzburg, Austria - CD - Tonewheel Records TWR 201701 - 2016, released 2017
T.C. Pfeiler plays Vienna Bar Pianists - CD - Barmusik Records BMR 10145 - 2017
T.C. Pfeiler - “Club Aesthetic” - CD - Tonewheel Records TWR 201702 - 2017
T.C. Pfeiler & Miss Ulrike Muehlbachler - “GOLD” - CD - Tonewheel Records TWR 201703 - 2016, released 2017
T.C. Pfeiler - “Health - Most Important!” - CD - Tonewheel Records TWR 201704 - 2017
Pichler Fritz and Friends - “Time Traveller” - CD - Privates Label, recorded 2015-2017 - 2 Stücke mit T.C. Pfeiler - Hammond B3 Orgel - released 2017
T.C. Pfeiler - “Success” - CD - Tonewheel Records TWR 201705 - 2017
T.C. Pfeiler - “One For Wild Bill Davis - 100th Birthday” - CD - Tonewheel Records TWR 201706 - 2017
T.C. Pfeiler - “60th Birthday Concert at Grosses Festspielhaus Salzburg, Austria” - CD & DVD - Tonewheel Records TWR 201801 & TWRDVD 201801 (DVD in preparation) - 2018
T.C. Pfeiler - Hammond B3 organ, Erotic Art Sound Orchestra & Ensemble - “Private Striptease Music”, 60´s & 70´s Sounds - CD - Barmusik Records BMR 10156, 2017 & 2018, released 2018
T.C. Pfeiler - Hammond B3 organ, Erotic Art Sound Orchestra & Ensemble - “Private Erotic Bar Music”, 60´s & 70´s Sounds - CD - Barmusik Records BMR 10157, 2017 & 2018, released 2018
T.C. Pfeiler Jazz Organ Trio “Recorded Live At The Sacher Bar Salzburg, Austria” - CD - Tonewheel Records TWR 201802 - 2016, released 2018
T.C. Pfeiler - “Center Point” - CD - Tonewheel Records TWR 201803 - 2017, released 2018
T.C. Pfeiler - “Mixed Steps” - CD - Tonewheel Records TWR 201804 - 2016, released 2018
T.C. Pfeiler plays Vienna Bar Pianists Vol.2 - CD - Barmusik Records BMR 10169 - 2018
T.C. Pfeiler plays Vienna Bar Pianists Vol.3 - CD - Barmusik Records BMR 10170 - 2018, released 2019
T.C. Pfeiler - “Twelve-Tone Adventures” 3-CD Album - Tonewheel Records TWR 201901-3CD - 2018 & 2019, released 2019
T.C. Pfeiler plays Vienna Bar Pianists Vol.4 - CD - Barmusik Records BMR 10171 - 2018, veröffentlicht 2020 (virtual album)
Fritz Pichler - “Best Company” - CD - Privates Label, aufgenommen 2018 - 2020 - 1 tune with T.C. Pfeiler - Hammond B3 - released 2020
T.C. Pfeiler spielt aus den Alben der Wiener Barpianisten Vol. 1 - CD - Barmusik Records BMR 10194 - 2021 (virtual album)
T.C. Pfeiler & Ulrike Muehlbachler “Present Their Mighty Friend The Grosses Festspielhaus Salzburg Iron Curtain” - 2-CD Album - Tonewheel Records TWR 202201-2CD, 2018 & 2019, released Juni 2022
T.C. Pfeiler - “Mother Nature” - CD - Tonewheel Records TWR 202202 - 2018 & 2019 - released August 2022
T.C. Pfeiler & Ulrike Muehlbachler - “Peace For Everyone Under The Sun” - CD - Tonewheel Records TWR 202203 - 2008, 2016, 2018, 2022 - released November 2022
T.C. Pfeiler - “Justice” - CD - Tonewheel Records TWR 202301 - released August 2023
T.C. Pfeiler - “Mambo Hype Vol.1” - CD - Tonewheel Records TWR 202302 - released Oktober 2023
T.C. Pfeiler And The Young Lions - CD - Tonewheel Records TWR 202401 - 2012, released August 2024
