Jimmy Smith Essentials

Organist Jimmy Smith enjoyed astounding success from the mid-‘50s, when his classic recordings for Blue Note Records brought his warm, bluesy sound and groove to audiences worldwide. His masterful technique, with a punctuated, left-hand accompaniment and right-hand riffs and slides, popularised the electric Hammond organ in jazz music. Later moving to Verve Records, Smith performed his own compositions and covered a variety of popular tunes with an energetic gospel feel, inspiring followers with his virtuoso improvisations.