Blues Jam
Jimmy Smith and Joey DeFrancesco
Two of the greatest organists of all-time team up on a blues
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Jimmy Smith (1928-2005) changed the direction of jazz organ when he burst upon the scene in 1956, influencing virtually all organists who have followed since.
While there have been other great organists since that time (including Larry Young who took the instrument in a different direction), it was not until the rise of Joey DeFrancesco in the 1980s that Smith had competition at his brand of blues, ballads and standards.
While they had previously played together informally, it was at the Oct. 28, 1999 B-3 Summit at the San Francisco Jazz Festival that Smith and DeFrancesco performed together in concert for the first time.
This spirited blues took place at the climax of that historic event.
– Scott Yanow
Ella Fitzgerald