3TV’s Good Morning Arizona introduced the Valley to Glenn in a story you can watch here!
For nearly 50 years, Organ Stop Pizza, in Mesa, Ariz., has been a destination restaurant for customers of all ages. Home to the Mighty Wurlitzer, the world’s largest and finest theater organ, Valley patrons are able to enjoy pizza and pipes every night of the week. With its nearly 6,000 pipes, numerous percussions, and countless traps, it takes a musical genius to masterfully play this historic instrument.
Starting Sept. 15, Glenn Tallar will join Organ Stop Pizza’s world-class musical staff.
“We are so excited to have Glenn join the Organ Stop Pizza staff full-time starting next week,” said Jack Barz, co-owner of Organ Stop Pizza. “He brings an extraordinary set of skills to the team that few organists possess. Not only is Glenn a very skilled organ technician he is also a tuner. This skill is invaluable in today’s era where there are very few of these instruments left in the U.S. We feel extremely fortunate to have an artist of his caliber at our restaurant.”
Relocating to Mesa from Chicago, Ill., Tallar was twice awarded the ATOS Young Organist scholarships, allowing him to study with Jelani Eddington. A versatile musician, Tallar played baritone saxophone in bands throughout his high school and college years. He was the 2008 George Wright Fellowship Award winner which gave him the opportunity to attend his first ATOS convention in Indianapolis. Tallar is not only an impressive musician, but he also has the skill set to do extensive repair work on the organ, a huge benefit for Organ Stop Pizza. Thanks to his father’s influence, he started playing in pizza restaurants when he was just 14 years old.
“In addition to his instrumentalist skills, Glenn also has a background in theatrical effects,” added Barz. He is truly a jack of all trades. Glenn is able to play, fix, tune and be the special effects coordinator for Organ Stop Pizza. Customers will surely benefit from his talent and artistic vision. It’s a very exciting time for us with both Glenn and Brett Valliant at the console of our mighty Wurlitzer!”
Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2022, Organ Stop’s Mighty Wurlitzer is the largest and finest theater organ in the world today. Organ Stop Pizza attracts hundreds of thousands of patrons each year with its theatrical performances complete with dancing cat puppets, disco ball, and bubbles. Songs range from classical music and Disney favorites to pop and rock hits.
