Dave "Baby" Cortez
1938 - 2022
Heartbreakingly, on July 11, 2025, the New York Times reported that famed organist Dave Cortez died way back on May 31, 2022, unbeknownst to his family and friends. He became reclusive in later years — even his daughter did not hear from him in over a decade — leaving no one to claim his body when he died in his Bronx apartment.
It was in that very apartment that Dave graciously provided a very rare video interview for the NAMM Oral History program on November 14, 2012.
On the very day the news was reported in July 2025, the Parade website confirmed that Dave gave few interviews by stating “In 2012, Cortez granted a rare interview to the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM), and the video remains one of the few pieces of archival footage of the songwriter in existence. In it, he chronicles the moment he found out The Happy Organ had become an overnight success. At the time, he was in the midst of touring the country with a number of other acts, including Jimmy Clanton, Freddy Cannon and Fabian. “I was pretty much set, making a pretty good living, but the record came out during the tour,” recounts Cortez. “The second week, I got a telegram, and bam! So, you got a hit!”
Dave made history with his infectious instrumental hit “The Happy Organ,” the first pop single to feature the Hammond B-3 organ as the lead instrument. He followed it with two other top ten successes, “The Whispering Organ” and “Rinky Dink” in 1962. He went on to become a sought-after studio musician. His unmistakable playing can be heard on countless recordings, including the organ parts behind classics like “Maybe” and “Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini.”
After stepping away from the industry for many years, Dave returned in 2011 with a jazz-inspired album featuring all new original songs that showcased his enduring creativity. His 2012 NAMM Oral History interview stands as one of the few visual records of him reflecting on his remarkable career, as he later chose a life of privacy and solitude. His connection with the Hammond B-3 and his incredible influence of the popularity of organ music in popular records were just a few of the reasons the NAMM team worked to arrange his interview. The process was not easy and, despite not having an exact time for the interview, the NAMM team showed up, which prompted Dave to smile and say, “Looks like you fellas are serious. Okay, let’s do it.”
What I remember most about Dave was how shy he was, perhaps even a bit embarrassed by the condition of his modest apartment. Still, you can see his warm smile and feel his passion throughout the interview — a true treasure that I will always cherish as a way to remember him.
His unclaimed body was buried in an unmarked grave in potter’s field on Hart Island in New York. While it is sad to know that this is his final resting place — perhaps by his own choosing — his joyful spirit and trailblazing music continue to inspire generations of musicians and listeners alike. His innovative approach and unforgettable sound left an indelible mark on popular music, reminding us all of the lasting power of a single, happy organ melody.
Dan Del Fiorentino
NAMM Music Historian