Johnny "Hammond" Smith

Johnny "Hammond" Smith
Smith in the 1970s
Background information
Birth nameJohn Robert Smith
Also known asJohnny Hammond
Born(1933-12-16)December 16, 1933
Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
DiedJune 4, 1997(1997-06-04) (aged 63)
Victorville, California, U.S.
Genres
OccupationMusician
InstrumentOrgan

John Robert "Johnny Hammond" Smith (December 16, 1933 – June 4, 1997) 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,[1] which also avoided his being confused with jazz guitarist Johnny Smith though this could lead to him being confused with Jimmy Smith (musician), another Hammond great.