Jimmy McGriff was born 78 years ago today. McGriff was a hard bop and soul-jazz organist and organ trio bandleader who developed a distinctive style of playing the Hammond B-3 organ. Born in Germantown, Pennsylvania, McGriff started playing piano at the age of five and by his teens had also learned to play vibes, alto sax, drums and upright bass. His first group was as bassist in a piano trio. McGriff bought his first Hammond B-3 organ in 1956, spent six months learning the instrument, then studied at New Yorks Juilliard School. He also studied privately with Milt Buckner, Jimmy Smith and Sonny Gatewood. He was influenced by the energy and dynamics of organist Milt Buckner and the diplomatic aplomb of Count Basie, and by local organists such as Howard The Demon Whaley and Austin Mitchell. McGriff formed a combo that played around Philadelphia and often featured tenor saxophonist Charles Earland (who soon switched permanently to organ, and became one of the instruments renowned performers). During this time, McGriff also accompanied such artists as Don Gardner, Arthur Prysock, Candido and Carmen McRae, who came through town for local club dates. In 1961, McGriffs trio was offered the chance to record an instrumental version of Ray Charles hit Ive Got a Woman by Joe Ledermans Jell Records, a small independent label. When the record received substantial local airplay, Juggy Murrays Sue label picked it up and recorded a full album of McGriffs trio, released in 1962. The album also turned out another huge hit in McGriffs All About My Girl,” establishing McGriffs credentials as a fiery blues-based organist, well-versed in gospel, soul and fatback groove. McGriff retired from the music industry in 1972 to start a horse farm in Connecticut. But Sonny Lesters new record company, Groove Merchant, kept issuing McGriff records at a rate of three or four a year. By 1973, McGriff was touring relentlessly and actively recording again. In 1986, McGriff started a popular partnership with alto saxophone player Hank Crawford. Their partnership yielded 1987s Soul Survivors and 1997s Road Tested. But it was only during their brief period at Telarc in the mid-1990s that McGriffs name headlined the popular club and cruise ship attraction. A resident of Voorhees Township, New Jersey, McGriff died there at age 72 on May 24, 2008, due to complications of multiple sclerosis. Here, McGriff and the Hank Crawford Quartet perform “Everyday I Have the Blues.”
Posted on: Thu, 03 Apr 2014 05:12:31 +0000
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