Jimmy Smith on Hammond B-3 with guitarist Thornel Schwartz
Despite the undisputed geniuses like the incredible Jimmy Smith, the organ has always had to fight for respect among some jazz purists. In fact, some people don’t even consider soul-jazz to be real jazz. Well, they’re wrong. No doubt, in the wrong hands the Hammond B3 can sound gimmicky. Compared to a piano, it is less subtle and more forgiving of error. But as we’ll hear tonight, a masterful organist can convey as much heart and soul as a pianist, and get the joint jumping while he’s at it.
Another one of the truly great masters of the Hammond B-3 in a jazz organ trio setting is Richard “Groove Holmes” and the first selection tonight is a trio featuring Holmes on the Hammond, Gene Edwards on guitar and Larance Marable on drums: a Charlie Parker tune entitled “Moose the Mooche”:
Richard Groove Holmes “Moose the Mooche” composed by Charlie Parker from Moose the Mooche (1962) on Pacific Jazz — Holmes on Hammond B-3, Gene Edwards on guitar and Larance Marable on drums
Jimmy Smith and Wes Montgomeryh “O.G.D.” composed by Smith from Jimmy & Wes: The Dynamic Duo (1966) on Verve — Jimmy Smith, Hammond B-3 and Wes Montgomery, guitar
Tony Monaco “The Cat” composed by Lalo Schifrin from Intimately Live at the 501 (2002) on Summit Records — Tony Monaco, Hammond B-3; Robert Kraut, guitar; Louis Tsamous, drums
Trudy Pitts and Pat Martino “Count Nine” composed by Pitts from Trudy Pitts and Pat Martino: The Legends of Acid (1967) on Prestige — Trudy Pitts, organ, leader; Pat Martino Guitar; Bill Carney, drums
Dr. Lonnie Smith “The Whip” composed by Lonnie Smith from Too Damn Hot (2004) on Palmetto — Dr. on the Hammond B-3; two fine guitarists — Peter Bernstein (lead) and Rodney Jones (rhythm); drummer Greg Hutchinson
Joey DeFrancesco “The Champ” composed by Dizzy Gillespie from Incredible! (1999) on Concord Jazz — Joey DeFrancesco, Hammond B-3 with guitarist Paul Bollenbeck and drummer Byron Landham
Leon Spencer “first gravy” composed by Spencer from The Legends of Acid Jazz (1971) on Prestige — Leon Spencer, Hammond B-3; Melvin Sparks, guitar; Idris Muhammad, drums
Richard Groove Holmes “Hittin’ the Jug” composed by Gene Ammons from Hittin’ the Jug (1961) on Pacific Jazz — Holmes, Hammond B-3; guitarist Gene Edwards and drummer Leroy Henderson and Gene Ammons, tenor makes it a quartet
Larry Young “African Blues” composed by Young from Young Blues (1960) on OJC — Larry Young, Hammond B-3; guitarist Thornel Schwartz and bassist Wendell Marshall and drummer Jimmie Smith
Baby Face Willete “Mo-Roc” composed by Willete from Mo’ Roc (1954) on OJC — Baby Face Willete on Hammond; with guitarist Ben White and drummer Eugene Bass
Charles Earland “Black Talk” composed by Charles Earland from Black Talk! (2006) on Concord Records, Inc. — Earland on Hammond organ; Melvin Sparks, guitar; Idris Muhammad, drums
Johnny “Hammond” Smith “Rufus Toofus (Live)” composed by Hammond from Black Coffee (1997) on Concord / Milestone
Jimmy McGriff “Groove Grease” from Groove Grease (1971) on Groove Merchant — Johnny “Hammond” Smith, Hammond organ with a quartet featuring onetime Jimmy Smith guitarist Eddie McFadden
Richard “Groove” Holmes “Back Home Again in Indiana” composed by Holmes from On Basie’s Bandstand on Prestige
The James Carter Organ Trio “Walking the dog” composed by Jack McDuff from At the Crossroads (2011) on EmArcy — James Carter, tenor, with his organ trio: organist Gerard Gibbs, guitarist Bruce Edwards, and drummer Leonard King, Jr
Melvin Sparks “Dig Dis” composed by Sparks from Legend of Acid Jazz (1971)
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