Jimmy Smith
January 2001

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Press Release

Organ Grinder Swing
Reviewed By
Chris Hovan
David Adler

Jimmy Smith was born James Oscar Smith on December 8, 1928 in Norristown, Pennsylvania. Both of his parents played piano. An early glimpse into his future came at the age of nine when he took first prize on the Major Bowes Amateur Hour radio show, playing boogie woogie piano. At 12, he was performing with his father around Philadelphia in a hot song and dance act.

After some time in the Navy, Smith used the GI Bill to study bass at the Hamilton School, then piano and theory at the Orenstein School of Music. These studies provided a foundation for what would become his signature approach to the organ, which he began playing while moonlighting as a member of Don Gardner's Sonotones band. Smith practiced alone and faithfully every day in a warehouse until he had "tamed the beast"; he's a certified, self-taught master. His attack is patterned after horn players, not other keyboard players. He always wanted the instrument to stalk and growl-to literally leap out at the listener.

Smith made his New York debut at the Cafe Bohemia in 1956, followed by gigs at Birdland and a memorable 1957 Newport Jazz Festival appearance that had tongues wagging. He made his recording debut playing with Kenny Burrell on a Blue Note date that led to his first album as a leader for the label, A New Sound...A New Star...Jimmy Smith At The Organ Volume 1. This was followed by a string of now classic LPs that includes The Sermon, Midnight Special, and Back At The Chicken Shack.

Jimmy Smith first signed to Verve in the mid-'60s, recording ground-breaking sides like "Walk On The Wild Side," "Respect," and a collaboration with Wes Montgomery, The Dynamic Duo. At the time, he was described as, "…so far out in front of the other Hammond organists, he's lonesome!" After breaking with the label in the early '70s, Smith recorded for several companies, including Milestone and Elektra Musician. However, he returned to his home at Verve in 1994, in time for its televised 50th Anniversary Celebration at Carnegie Hall.

Additional Biographies
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