Jimmy Smith
House Party
Originally marketed towards churches as a cheaper alternative to costly pipe organs, Hammond have been producing electric organs since 1935. But 1955 was the year which gave them a special place in music history with the release of their infamous B3 model. The explanation of why this became the electric organ of choice amongst musicians over the next 40 years is something that is inherently linked to Jazz musician Jimmy Smith’s use of it to develop his iconic sound ,a fusion of jazz, blues and hard bop, that has become legendary.
Born in America in 1928, Smith’s impact on the jazz music scene and beyond was magnificent. Artists including Beastie Boys, Jimmy McGriffin, Dr Lonnie Smith, B.B King and George Benson are just a handful of musicians influenced by his work. Originally a self-taught pianist, the story goes that he moved to the organ after hearing Wild Bill Davis’s work. Indeed, if organist Wild Bill Davis was the man to pioneer the use of the Hammond Organ in Jazz in the early 1950’s, then Jimmy Smith was the one to popularise it during the 1960’s and 70’s.
There is debate over which album it was that marked the turning point for Smith in the mastering of what one might call ‘The Jimmy Smith Sound.’ Many say it was with the release of the fantastic album The Sermon in 1959 but it is definitely apparent as early as 1958 with the release of House Party, albeit more subtly; the 15 minute masterpiece ‘Au Privave’ comes off this album. Drums are played by the famous Max Roach and the stunning saxophone solo’s are performed by George Coleman who also worked closely with Jazz superstars Miles Davis and Herbie Hancock. The smooth, improvisational and unorthodox style of playing Smith takes on in this track was like no other around at the time and it is no wonder so many artists have sought to emulate it over the years.
Over a career that spanned nearly 50 years Smith churned out an astonishing 100 albums. With this in mind, it is worth noting that you should be selective when listening to his work as there are a vast number of albums out there which are sub-standard and have a tendency to sound like something you might unfortunately hear in a hotel lift or bar and which ultimately gives Jazz a bad name. Choose the great albums though and you will be grooving! Other great tracks worth checking out include, “The Sermon”, “Chain of Fools”, “Oh No Babe”, “J.O.S” and “Root Down and Get In.”
Born in America in 1928, Smith’s impact on the jazz music scene and beyond was magnificent. Artists including Beastie Boys, Jimmy McGriffin, Dr Lonnie Smith, B.B King and George Benson are just a handful of musicians influenced by his work. Originally a self-taught pianist, the story goes that he moved to the organ after hearing Wild Bill Davis’s work. Indeed, if organist Wild Bill Davis was the man to pioneer the use of the Hammond Organ in Jazz in the early 1950’s, then Jimmy Smith was the one to popularise it during the 1960’s and 70’s.
There is debate over which album it was that marked the turning point for Smith in the mastering of what one might call ‘The Jimmy Smith Sound.’ Many say it was with the release of the fantastic album The Sermon in 1959 but it is definitely apparent as early as 1958 with the release of House Party, albeit more subtly; the 15 minute masterpiece ‘Au Privave’ comes off this album. Drums are played by the famous Max Roach and the stunning saxophone solo’s are performed by George Coleman who also worked closely with Jazz superstars Miles Davis and Herbie Hancock. The smooth, improvisational and unorthodox style of playing Smith takes on in this track was like no other around at the time and it is no wonder so many artists have sought to emulate it over the years.
Over a career that spanned nearly 50 years Smith churned out an astonishing 100 albums. With this in mind, it is worth noting that you should be selective when listening to his work as there are a vast number of albums out there which are sub-standard and have a tendency to sound like something you might unfortunately hear in a hotel lift or bar and which ultimately gives Jazz a bad name. Choose the great albums though and you will be grooving! Other great tracks worth checking out include, “The Sermon”, “Chain of Fools”, “Oh No Babe”, “J.O.S” and “Root Down and Get In.”
