symphonic orchestras, including a collaboration with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra on the Karl Schuke organ. Compositions Dennerlein claims to have been primarily influenced by jazz and was not initially interested in classical or church music, although it was and is popular in Germany. She has never been enthusiastic about formal music theory, preferring to learn things through improvisation. However, she has further said that her main influence from jazz is the ability to mix other musical styles as desired, saying "To me, jazz is a synonym for freedom. Freedom from prejudice and discrimination". Dennerlein's first album included four of her own pieces. Her compositions vary from traditional blues schemes, romantic, melancholic ballads to tempo-driven compositions with elements of swing, bebop, funk and Latin rhythms. The fast tempos and rhythmic figures she uses in her interpretations of well-known standards, and in many of her own compositions, require fast bass pedalboard foot work, though she has used bass players for recordings in order to feature techniques such as slap bass, which cannot be played on pedals. Dennerlein often uses changing meter (e.g., 3/4 to 4/4), as well as unconventional harmonic changes to add expression to her compositions. Awards 1995: "German Record Critics Award" ("Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik") for "Take Off" 1995: "Jazz Award" for "Take Off" for holding the number one position in the German Jazz Charts for several months and for being best selling Jazz Album of the year in Germany 1987: "German Record Critics Award" ("Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik") for "Tribute to Charlie". Discography 1983: Jazz Live 1984: Orgelspiele 1985: Bebab 1986: Days of Wine and Roses 1987: Tribute to Charlie 1988: Barbara Dennerlein Plays Classics 1989: Straight Ahead! 1989: Live on Tour! 1990: Hot Stuff and Barbara Dennerlein Duo (Bootleg) 1991: (Friedrich Gulda) Mozart No End 1992: That's Me and Solo 1995: Take Off! 1997: Junkanoo 1999: Outhipped 2001: Love Letters 2002: Spiritual Movement No.1 (church organ recording) 2004: In a Silent Mood 2005: It's Magic 2006: The Best of Barbara Dennerlein 2007: Change of Pace (with Philharmonic Orchestra under Bernd Ruf) 2008: Spiritual Movement No. 2 (live at Kaiser William Memorial Church in Berlin) 2010: Bebabaloo 2012: Spiritual Movement No. 3 (live 2008 concert on the Rieger organ at the Stadtpfarrkirche in Fehring, Austria, with guitarist Edi Köhldorfer) 2015: Studiokonzert (live concert in recording studio, direct to two-track analogue tape) 2015: Christmas Soul References Cited sources External links