Tom Hazleton (1942-2006) was a child prodigy. He began playing the pipe organ at First United Methodist Church in Pacific Grove when he was 13 years old. He attended the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, San Francisco State University, and the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia. He also studied with Richard Purvis and was assistant organist at Grace Cathedral. Hazleton was organist and music director from 1969 until 1975 at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Palo Alto. He also served as organist and associate minister of music for 14 years at Menlo Park Presbyterian Church, as well as professor of organ at the University of the Pacific in Stockton. He was named “Organist of the Year” in 1986 by the American Theatre Organ Society. In 2003 the ATOS inducted him into their Hall of Fame. He recorded over 60 LPs, cassettes, and CDs.


Video:
Tom Hazleton – Free Hymn Improvisation on ‘Lobe Den Herren’ – Basilica of Mission San Dolores, San Francisco, California
Tom Hazleton – Free Hymn Improvisation on ‘Holy God, We Praise Thy Name’ – Basilica of Mission San Dolores, San Francisco, California