The thrilling documentary Killer B3 about the legendary Hammond Organ premieres on Sunday, September 8 at the Fall 2013 New Jersey Film Festival.

Nigrin:  Your documentary film Killer B3  focuses on an amazing musical instrument. Tell us a bit about your film and why you decided to focus on the Hammond organ.

Seymour: Killer B3 features some of the greatest Hammond organists in America. Three have died since the project began, most notably, the king of the B3, Jimmy Smith of Philadelphia.  Smith brought the instrument from the church to the clubs and into mainstream music in the 1950s.  

The 425-pound multi-layered keyboard has 36-drawbars, 26-foot pedals, several preset keys, an expression pedal, and an oscillating speaker it can’t live without called a Leslie. When played just right, the “Beast” creates a must-have sound demanded by iconic bands ranging from Bruce Springsteen, Booker T and the M.G.’s, the Beatles, Santana, Kirk Franklin and many others.  

We took on this huge project for a number of reasons.  First, nobody has ever produced a feature-length documentary about the Hammond Organ.  Secondly, as Producers, we wanted to create something that could educate people on the impact the Hammond Organ has in music.  Finally, we wanted to provide a project that would remain timeless.  Fifty years from now someone say wow! after finding Killer B3 on a library shelf, Itunes or wherever.  

The complexity of the Hammond Organ and how it was invented is worth telling. It was a fluke invention by a man who was obsessed in inventing things. Laurens Hammonds was trying to make his high-end clocks run more quietly when he stumbled upon this incredible sound that changed music.   

Nigrin: You travelled all over to get interviews for your documentary. How long did it take you to complete the film and where did you end up going. Did you run into any difficulties? Where there any memorable stories in getting the film in the can you can relay to us?

Seymour: We have spent more than eight years documenting the history of the Hammond Organ.  To capture the story, we made stops in almost a dozen cities, including; New York City, Harlem, Montclair, NJ, Philadelphia, Chicago, Berkeley, CA, Columbus, OH, Tampa, FL, St. Petersburg, FL, New Port Richey, FL, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Scottsdale, AZ and Maricopa, AZ.

There were many challenges in producing Killer B3.  First, we had to wrap our arms around 80 years of Hammond Organ history.  We made some tough choices on figuring out the content of our project.  After purchasing the equipment, we paid for as many trips and productions as we could with our own money.  To date, we have spent approximately $40,000 to produce Killer B3.  We weren't prepared for producing a documentary during a recession.  Just getting Killer B3 done has been the biggest challenge of all.  

We have had to sift through 120 hours of content, coordinate interviews and coordinate production shoots all around the country.  Life doesn't stop when you produce a documentary.  We both have had to maintain our everyday lives, which is filled with work, family and the unexpected.  Regardless of the challenge, we have had to muster the energy to make Killer B3 the best documentary it can be.  The overall effort it takes to produce this kind of project is unimaginable.  When is the last time you took eight years to do anything?  

Nigrin:  Both you and co-director Joe Bamford have worked in the television for over 20 years. How did you come together to make this particular documentary film?

Seymour: We have shared a passion for telling stories our entire careers.  In a world where everyone is in a hurry to just get it done, we have always believed in taking out time in talking with people.  Simply put, we have had the vision to tell the best stories possible since we started working together 1997 years ago.

Killer B3 was conceived in 2004 out of curiosity.  After seeing a friend play the Hammond Organ, I became fascinated with the Hammond Organ.  I watched Tampa organist Shawn Brown play a Hammond C3 with every bit of his energy.  He was flipping switches, stepping on pedals, working both keyboard manuals and singing, all at the same time.  Since that day, the sound of a Hammond Organ has been imbedded in my soul.   Sure I had heard it before, but I had never had seen someone dominate one.  

During Shawn's break, my journalism instincts took over.  I had so many questions.  The more I listened to his answers, the more the Hammond Organ began to sound like an instrument worth documenting.   

I shot some video of Shawn's performance with a tiny camera that was made for still pictures.  I shared the video with Joe.  I casually suggested it might be the type of story worth a documentary.  Keep in mind, I knew nothing about what goes into producing a documentary.  I figured producing one was just another form of storytelling.  

Neither one of us wanted to take on this project if someone else had already produced a documentary on the Hammond Organ.  We expected to have a completed documentary in two years.    While we had created award-winning stories in the news business, we both wanted Killer B3 to be our best storytelling ever.  Understanding that producing a feature-length documentary would take a while, we shook hands and committed ourselves to doing it, no matter what it was going to take.  

Here is the trailer for Killer B3:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfNObaE9v7A

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John McKelvey’s terrific short film Rap ‘n’ Reno will be screened prior to Killer B3. Here is more info on this screening:

Sunday-September 8-Voorhees Hall #105-7PM $10; $9; $8
Rap ‘n’ Reno – John McKelvey (Metuchen, New Jersey)
This wonderfully crafted short documentary is about how two women’s paths unexpectedly cross, over divides of culture, race, politics and music. This is the true story of 80’s Miami Bass Rapper Anquette and former United States Attorney General Janet Reno. 2013; 25 min. With an introduction and Q+A session by Director John McKelvey!

Killer B3 (KB3) – Murv Seymour and Joe Bamford (Clearwater, Florida)
This thrilling documentary puts you inside the 425-pound instrument known as the Hammond Organ, but more popularly known as the Beast.  The dexterity of an octopus is required to control its two keyboards, 36 drawbars, 25 foot pedals and its host of buttons and switches. Hammond Organs spit out unique sounds used in all styles of music, including, gospel, jazz, blues, rock, country, reggae, and commercial soundtracks.  Capturing the spirit and passion of players who have committed a lifetime to master the most complex Hammond Organ of them all—the Killer B3--this doc features work by organists such as Dr. Lonnie Smith, Jimmy McGriff, Tony Monaco, Joey DeFrancesco, Shawn Brown, Pappa John DeFrancesco, Jimmy Smith, Jr. and many others. 2013; 70 min. With an introduction and Q+A session by Directors Murv Seymour and Joe Bamford!

Sunday, September 8, 2013 at 7:00 p.m.
Voorhees Hall #105/Rutgers University,
71 Hamilton Street, New Brunswick, New Jersey
$10=General; $9=Students+Seniors; $8=Rutgers Film Co-op Friends
Information: (848) 932-8482; www.njfilmfest.com

Jimmy Johns of New Brunswick will be providing free food prior to this screening!