Jimmy Smith

UK

Born: 08 December 1928

Died: 08 February 2005

Years Active: 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 2000

Genres: Jazz

Styles: Jazz-Funk, Fusion, Soul Jazz/Groove, Soul Jazz, Hard Bop, Bop, Mainstream Jazz, New Orleans/Classic Jazz

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Jimmy Smith ruled the Hammond organ in the '50s and '60s. He revolutionized the instrument, showing it could be creatively used in a jazz context and popularized in the process. His Blue Note sessions from 1956 to 1963 were extremely influential and many, like 1960's Back at the Chicken Shack and 1958 's The Sermon, are classics. Smith turned the organ into almost an ensemble itself. He played walking bass lines and chordal accompaniment with his left hand, while solos were played with his right hand. A booming, funky presence punctuated every ...

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