The Jazz Organ Scene

USA

at age 27

Rieber Hovde Rieber (* 1939 in Iowa), raised in Urbana, IL, began playing the Hammond Organ at the age of seven. Just six months later, he took first place in a talent contest. Much of his experience was gained as a child performing with his grandfather who was a former Vaudeville acrobat and musician. They had a regular stage show 'Troubadour' Act at the Green Valley Theater. This exciting experience allowed him to earn enough money to purchase his first piano, which in turn helped garner his brilliant career - a career that has produced six records, and is still going strong today. In high school, Riebe went on to perform in the local dance band of Paul Karlstrom in Illinois and even appeared on radio and television in Pekin, Peoria, and Champaign, IL.   Since then, he has performed on cruise ships, in major hotel lounges and night chubs and at various other locations throughout the United States mostly in Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area. He was at the Claremont Hotel in Oakland, CA, for seven years. However, while Hovde has undoubtedly led a colorful life, it has not been without its ups and downs. Musically dyslexic, he flunked out of the University of Illinois School of Music in 1958 due to his ADD and inability to read music. This was followed by long nights behind the piano and a growing addiction to alcohol.   Rieber joined an AA program at age 24 and had subsequent major depression two years later thus beginning his thirty years of sobriety. He then returned to college at Parkland Junior College, the University of Illinois, and the University of California in Berkeley where he earned a bachelor's degree in sociology and began a new chapter in his life.   After receiving his degree, Rieber decided to take a break from performing and went on to try teaching special education. However, it didn't take long for him to realize that he belonged behind the piano. Interestingly enough, this incident set the precedent for a life-long pattern: All his attempts to lead a conventional life have landed him right back where he seemingly belongs - performing music. This is how he knows, he says, "that I am destined to play music although it doesn't mean that it is all I can or will do. It's what I do best." And he has no plans of stopping any time soon.   Currently, he has a recording studio in his home near Table Mountain, in Clovis, CA, where he plans to record more music. He went on to receive his master's degree at Fresno State University, and worked toward his doctorate in clinical psychology ending up which his PHD all but dissertation.   from http://www.laurelhovde.com

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