December 8, 1925 – February 8, 2005

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Organist Jimmy Smith was born December 8, 1925 in Norristown, Pennsylvania.

Smith began teaching himself to play piano as a child, and was performing with his father by age six.

After a stint in the Navy, Smith went to the Royal Hamilton College of Music in Canada and the Leo Ornstein School of Music in Philadelphia.

Smith is best known for his revolutionary use of the Hammond B-3 organ, which has a unique percussive sound.

In the 1970’s, Smith opened his own dinner club, in Los Angeles, where he performed regularly with his band.

The Jimmy Smith Quartet featured in a 1988 concert at ZDF Jazz Club in Leonberg, Germany.

Pianist Jimmy Smith first became known for occasionally playing a Hammond B-3 organ in the early 1950s while performing with Philadelphia R&B groups, transitioning to the instrument completely in 1954.

In 1956 he made his debut on the New York jazz circuit and signed with Blue Note records with whom he would participate in forty sessions in eight years earning himself the title “The Incredible” Jimmy Smith.

Personnel:

Jimmy Smith, organ
Frank Wilson, drums
Herman Riley, saxophones
Terry Evans, guitar

The Songs:

1. Eight Counts for Rita
2. Mood Indigo
3. It’s Alright With Me
4. The Cat
5. Walk On The Wildside
6. Laura
7. Interview
8. Honky Tonk

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