Backgrounder: Jimmy McGriff - Step 1

Philadelphian Jimmy McGriff began as a pianist but fell in love with the organ after hearing Richard “Groove" Holmes play the Hammond B3 at his sister's wedding. He bought his first organ in 1956, spent six months at New York's Juilliard School of Music and then studied the organ privately with Milt Buckner, Jimmy Smith and Sonny Gatewood. He began leading an organ combo in 1960.

Step 1 was recorded for producer Sonny Lester at Capitol Records in 1970.

The lineup:

• Jimmy McGriff: organ
• Blue Mitchell: trumpet
• Danny Turner: alto saxophone
• Arthur 'Fats' Theus: electric tenor saxophone
• Bob Ashton: baritone saxophone
• Larry Frazier: guitar
• Jesse Kilpatrick Jr.: drums

The tracks:

• Step One
• South Wes
• Easter Parade
• Jimmy's Blues
• For Once in My Life
• Motoring Along

Here's Step 1 without ad interruptions...