Jazz Legend, Jimmy Smith Appears in New Jersey

On Friday, January 18th, legendary organ master Jimmy Smith will be playing his only NJ area concert at The Crossroads of Garwood.

Jimmy's latest album, Dot Com Blues was released in 2001 to tremendous reviews. The album showcases Smith's trademark Hammond sounds along with contributions from special guests, B.B. King, Etta James, Dr. John, Taj Mahal, and Keb Mo, among others. Raves from other musical legends include: “There's only ever been one B3 player"- Gregg Allman, “Jimmy Smith is a pioneer. He is a true musical legend."-Diana Krall, “Jimmy is the indisputable champ of the jazz organ"-George Benson, “Jimmy's recording of 'All Night Long' changed my thinking about how an organ could sound in Blues rather than church. That record really opened my eyes. He's great!" Jimmy Smith was born James Oscar Smith on December 8, 1928 in Norristown, Pennsylvania. An early glimpse into his future came at the age of nine when he took first prize in 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 moonlighting as a member of Don Gardner's Sonotones band. Smith practiced alone and faithfully every day until he had “tamed the beast". 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 debut at the Café 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