Jazz Articles about Percy France

About Percy France

Profile

Percy France: Live from the West End

by Daniel Gould
August 27, 2026

If you know Percy France, most likely you are a fan of “greasy" organ jazz, particularly on Blue Note Records during their classic era. He was an integral part of Jimmy Smith's Home Cookin' (1959) and Freddie Roach's Down to Earth (1962). Or perhaps you came to jazz through r&b acts like the Bill Doggett combo. The album Hot Doggett (King Records-1956) features France's driving, big-toned tenor saxophone. Or if you came to the West End Café from the 1970s through ...

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Album Review

Jimmy Smith: Home Cookin'

Read "Home Cookin'" reviewed by Sean Patrick Fitzell

by Sean Patrick Fitzell
June 18, 2005

"The Incredible Jimmy Smith cemented his reputation as the king of jazz organ during his prolific residency at Blue Note from 1956-63, as both a leader and collaborator with labelmates. His popularity and record sales helped the label grow and foster new talent. When he returned to Blue Note later in his career, it was only appropriate that they revisit and restore those early releases so essential for Smith's, and Blue Note's, legacy. Home Cookin' is the ...