Hello from Rochester, NY:
STRICTLY SUBJECTIVE, BUT THESE ARE
MY FAVORITE JAZZ ORGANISTS OF ALL TIME
As a jazz organist, I’m always asked who my favorites are. I’ve heard them all and these are my favorites.
1. Jimmy Smith – The Man! Smith was the one who really brought the organ into jazz prominence during themid 1950’s. Just about every organist since then has copied his style or settings at least a little. Smith is definitely the one who set the bar for all the jazz organists.
2. Richard “Groove” Holmes – “Groove”, like Jimmy Smith, was from the Philadelphia area, got some pointers from Smith and went on to become another great organist during the 1960’s with a big hit on his groove version of “Misty”.
3. Don Patterson – While not as well known as some of the other jazz organists, this Columbus, Ohio native was well respected by musicians and critics alike with his more straight-ahead jazz style. Patterson toured and recorded extensively with Sonny Stitt.
4. Jimmy McGriff – Another Philadelphia based organist (It was the jazz organ capitol of the World!) McGriff always claimed to be more of a blues player rather than jazz, but he could do it all. Had a hit with the Ray Charles classic, “I Got A Woman.”
5. Joey DeFrancesco – Joey is largely responsible for the resurgence of the Jazz Organ in the late 80’s. The Philadelphia based organist got his start with Miles Davis at age 17 and shortly after began his string of recordings including a duet album on Jimmy Smith’s last recording.
6. Jack McDuff – Another great organist who toured the “Chitlin’ Circuit” during the 50’s & 60’s. Many great players got their start with ‘Brother Jack” including George Benson.
7. Shirley Scott – She was also a part of that “Golden Age” of the blues/jazz organ of the 1960’s. Her recordings with saxophonist Stanley Turrentine were very popular.
8. Doug Duke – Although not well known away from the upstate NY area, Duke was an astounding musician with phenomenal technique. He recorded with Lionel Hampton with Clark Terry, Coleman Hawkins, Toots Thielemans, Charlie Byrd & Roy Eldridge.
9. Bill Doggett – Although known more as a R&B musician, primarily because of his hit “Honky Tonk”, Bill was a great player who played with all the great jazz artists over the years.
10. Honorable Mention: Milt Buckner, Wild Bill Davis, Larry Goldings, Charles Earland, Gene Ludwig, Larry Young, Barb Dennerlein, Tony Monaco, Eddy Louiss, Les Strand & Lonnie Smith.
Bye for now,
Fred
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This page was last updated on 8/31/08.
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