I’m James, a lifelong enthusiast and collector devoted to the magical world of mechanical music.

My fascination began at the age of three, and it has grown into a lifelong passion. For more than 20 years, I’ve been touring these incredible instruments across Cornwall and beyond, sharing their unique sound and history.
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Along the way, I’ve brought mechanical music to hundreds of events and festivals, reaching millions of people both in person and online. I’m also the founder of Mechanical Music Radio, a station dedicated to celebrating these remarkable machines and entertaining audiences worldwide. We have recordings of the organ for sale in our shop.

HOW IT WORKS

This is no ordinary speaker playing recorded music — everything is truly live and mechanical. The music comes to life through folding strips of perforated cardboard, known as “book music,” a system invented in 1892 by Frenchman Anselmo Gavioli. Each fold contains a series of holes, with each hole representing a musical note.
As the book passes through the organ’s key-frame (tracker bar), mechanical “keys” feel the holes and trigger valves.

​When a valve opens, compressed air from bellows or another pneumatic system is directed through pipes, producing sound. Different pipes mimic a variety of instruments — flutes, violins, bass trombones — while built-in percussion elements such as bells, drums, and cymbals add rhythm and sparkle, getting toes tapping.

Because the organ is entirely mechanical and pneumatic, there are no electronic speakers or prerecorded tracks. The sound is generated in real time, giving each performance its unique character. Using book music also allowed these organs to play longer and more varied repertoires, making them incredibly versatile.
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Organ builders and arrangers — particularly in Holland — have adapted both classical and contemporary melodies for these instruments. At Blauwtje, we’ve built a library of over 10 hours of music, from traditional tunes to modern favourites. James has even commissioned special arrangements of hits by Queen, ABBA, Lady Gaga, and many more. Each piece is carefully crafted by skilled Dutch arrangers, bringing these familiar melodies to life in the organ’s own distinctive, old-world style.

Watch the video below as James gives you a tour of the organ's workings and the music punching machine.

a little history

Blauwtje has a rich history rooted in Dutch street culture. From the early 1920s, it was a familiar sight collecting coins on the streets — busking with the draaiorgel (street organ) was, and still is, a beloved tradition in the Netherlands.

Originally built as a 49-Key Marenghi Organ, Blauwtje was completely rebuilt within just a few years of its life. In the 1930s, organ builder Carl Frei revolutionised the sound of the street organ by inventing Bourdon pipework. This warmer, richer tone quickly became the “must-have” sound of the day, and like many others, Blauwtje was rebuilt to include it — shaping the distinctive voice it has today.

The organ was rescued in the 1980s and lovingly rebuilt by Johan Verbeeck. Its distinctive carved front was beautifully redecorated by renowned organ artist Feite Posthumus. After another 30 years of delighting audiences on the streets of Holland, Blauwtje was purchased by James Dundon in 2011 and brought to the UK. Since then, extensive work has been carried out, including the addition of new pipework and a fresh redecoration, ensuring Blauwtje continues to charm listeners today.

Pictures alongside:
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Top: 1925 as a Marenghi on the streets

Middle: 1932, Kings Day in Amsterdam

Bottom: 1962 at Den Haag