Jimmy Smith was arguably the most important organist in jazz history.

In the mid-1950s he took what had formerly been thought of as a novelty instrument and, through his mastery of the blues, jazz standards, and ballads, made the organ into a popular and important musical force, influencing virtually every organist to come up since then.

On this funky blues performed at the 7th Newport Jazz In Europe Festival at the Doelen, Rotterdam in the Netherlands, Smith leads an all-star band.

James Moody has a short tenor solo and also seen are tenor-saxophonist Illinois Jacquet, flugelhornists Art Farmer and Clark Terry, guitarist Kenny Burrell, and drummer Roy Haynes.

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, German

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