Organ Stop Pizza News
Organ Stop Pizza Welcomes New Organist with Extraordinary Talent
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, he also has the skillset 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. For more information visit, www.organstoppizza.com
Organ Stop Pizza Bids Farewell to Legendary Organist Lew Williams After More Than 40 Years
FOX 10 Phoenix reports on Lew’s retirement. Watch the story here.
Organ Stop Pizza Bids Farewell to Legendary Organist Lew Williams After More Than 40 Years
(Sept. 8, 2021 – Mesa, Ariz.) For more than 40 years, Lew Williams has been a staple at one of the Valley’s oldest restaurants – Organ Stop Pizza, in Mesa, Ariz. His talent and charisma have entertained customers of all ages for four decades, but like all good things, his time at the keyboards is coming to an end.
Friday, Sept. 10 will be William’s last official performance at the pizza and pipes restaurant, though he may be back for a special appearance every now and then.
“Lew really helped shape Organ Stop Pizza into the restaurant that it is today,” said Jack Barz, co-owner of Organ Stop Pizza. “His commitment to performance is second to none. His goal in performing has always been to get each piece as close to the original as possible. He feels he isn’t doing the piece justice until he gets it completely perfect. That’s why customers marvel at his talents.”
A native of Lafayette, La., Williams began playing the organ at the age of 10 and started formal piano studies five years later. At Texas Christian University, he was a pupil of Emmet G. Smith. During this time, he won several competitions in organ playing, gave numerous recitals, and graduated with the Bachelor of Music degree and Performer’s Certificate. Williams joined the Organ Stop team in 1979, playing at both the Phoenix and Mesa locations.
Williams’ concert work has taken him around the U.S. many times, including seven concert tours in England, and in 1998 and 2003 he appeared in Australia’s national theatre organ convention at Adelaide. In 1988, Williams was named “Organist of the Year” by the American Theatre Organ Society. In December 2000, he performed the first solo theatre organ concert by an American at the Atrium de Chaville in Paris, France, returning for a second engagement in 2002.
“His talent is so vast and incredible, he certainly leaves huge shoes to fill,” Barz said. “Lew will be greatly missed by customers and staff alike. Organ Stop Pizza will forever be grateful for his years of performance magic.”
Over the years, Williams had many
“Williams’ fan base spans all age groups,” Barz said. “They are a very loyal bunch and many will only come in to hear him play. When it comes to his admirers, no one is better than Lew, in their opinion.”
Starting Sept. 15, Glenn Tallar will join Organ Stop Pizza’s musical staff.
“We are thrilled to have Glenn join organist, Brett Valliant at the console of our mighty Wurlitzer,” Barz said. “This is an incredibly exciting time at Organ Stop Pizza!”
Relocating to Mesa from Chicago, Ill.,
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Serving the Valley for almost 50 years, Organ Stop’s Mighty Wurlitzer is the largest and finest theater organ in the world today. Its nearly 6,000 pipes, numerous percussions, and countless traps are masterfully presented by the musical staff who are world-class musicians. 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. Only cash and checks are accepted; an ATM is located in the lobby. For more information visit, www.organstoppizza.com
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KID’S BIRTHDAY PARTIES
We offer a fun Kid’s Party Package:
Fun Facts about Organ Stop Pizza
Behind the scenes at OSP
Tico Tico
Arizona Bucket List
Guess who made the “Arizona Bucket List: 50 Outstanding Ways to Experience Arizona”?
“Featuring the largest Wurlitzer pipe organ in the world, Organ Stop Pizza offers guests the opportunity to enjoy a slice of pizza in an atmosphere like no other. Visitors will be able to enjoy some delicious pizza as they listen to both traditional and popular music played on the organ. Copies of the pipe organ music can be purchased at the gift shop on site, so you can enjoy the music anywhere.”
For the complete list please visit – https://www.vacationsmadeeasy.com/
Wurlitzer Whirl
Behind the Scenes with Charlie Balogh (Spotlight, page 56) rock the organ for the PHOENIX magazine crew at Organ Stop Pizza in our video.
Arizona Horizon Show featuring Organ Stop Pizza
Organ Stop Pizza
- It may be one of Arizona’s best kept secrets. We’ll visit a Mesa restaurant where music, not food, is the main entrée. Organ Stop Pizza touts the world’s biggest Wurlitzer organ with nearly 6,000 pipes, 17 percussion instruments and two pianos. Originally installed at the Denver Theatre to accompany silent films, Organist Charlie Balogh says the additions and improvements that Organ Stop has made puts the organ’s replacement value at more than $4 million.
See the story here!