⬇️JOHNNY 'Hammond' SMITH⬇️
(John Robert Smith)
DISCOGRAPHY 1959-2012 (25CD)
John Robert Smith (December 16, 1933 – June 4, 1997), also known as
Johnny "Hammond" Smith, was an American soul jazz and hard bop organist.
Born in Louisville, Kentucky, he was a renowned player of the Hammond
B-3 organ so earning "Hammond" as a nickname, which also avoided his
being confused with jazz guitarist Johnny Smith.
Smith played with Paul Williams and Chris Columbo before forming his own group. His bands featured singers Etta Jones, Byrdie Green, saxophonists Houston Person, Earl Edwards, guitarists Eddie McFadden, Floyd Smith, James Clark, vibist Freddie McCoy. His career took off as he was serving as accompanist to singer Nancy Wilson. One of his last accomplishments also included Nancy Wilson. He wrote the song "Quiet Fire" for her "Nancy Now" release in 1989.
(John Robert Smith)
DISCOGRAPHY 1959-2012 (25CD)
BIOGRAPHY
John Robert Smith (December 16, 1933 – June 4, 1997), also known as
Johnny "Hammond" Smith, was an American soul jazz and hard bop organist.
Born in Louisville, Kentucky, he was a renowned player of the Hammond
B-3 organ so earning "Hammond" as a nickname, which also avoided his
being confused with jazz guitarist Johnny Smith.Smith played with Paul Williams and Chris Columbo before forming his own group. His bands featured singers Etta Jones, Byrdie Green, saxophonists Houston Person, Earl Edwards, guitarists Eddie McFadden, Floyd Smith, James Clark, vibist Freddie McCoy. His career took off as he was serving as accompanist to singer Nancy Wilson. One of his last accomplishments also included Nancy Wilson. He wrote the song "Quiet Fire" for her "Nancy Now" release in 1989.
After a 10-year spell on Prestige Records throughout the 60s resulting in
a series of albums, he signed for soul/R'n'B influenced Kudu imprint of
Creed Taylor's well-regarded CTI Records jazz record label in 1971.
His first album for Taylor, "Break Out" was chosen that year to launch
Kudu. The album featured Grover Washington Jr. as a sideman prior to the
launch of his career as a solo recording artist. Three further albums
followed with Taylor on Kudu, as he decided to refer to himself as "Johnny
Hammond", after deciding to drop "Smith" from his name.
His style had become increasingly funky as he adapted to the style
changes in music, culminating in two popular albums with the Mizell
Brothers, "Gambler's Life" (1974) for the CTI offshoot, Salvation and then
in 1975, "Gears" after switching to another jazz label, Milestone Records.
He began using electric and acoustic pianos, starting with "Gambler's
Life", in addition to his signature instrument.
Hammond's song "Shifting Gears" was featured on the breakbeat compilation
Ultimate Breaks and Beats, and was also featured in the soundtrack of the
2006 video game Driver: Parallel Lines as well.
Jamiroquai first lineup cited Hammond as an influence and borrowed some
bassline progression from the song "Los Conquistadores Chocolates" for
their tune "When you gonna learn" after Sir Hammond agreement.
Smith also taught at the Cal Poly Pomona music department for several
years, beginning in January 1987.