Jimmy Smith (musician)

Jimmy Smith
Smith in 1958
Background information
Birth nameJames Oscar Smith
Born(1928-12-08)December 8, 1928
Norristown, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DiedFebruary 8, 2005(2005-02-08) (aged 76)
Scottsdale, Arizona, U.S.
Genres
OccupationMusician
InstrumentHammond organ
DiscographyJimmy Smith discography
Years active1948–2005
Labels

James Oscar Smith (December 8, 1928[1] – February 8, 2005[2]) was an American jazz musician who helped popularize the Hammond B-3 organ, creating a link between jazz and 1960s soul music.

In 2005, Smith was awarded the NEA Jazz Masters Award from the National Endowment for the Arts, the highest honor that America bestows upon jazz musicians.[3]

  1. ^ Holley, Joe (February 11, 2005). "Jazz Musician Jimmy Smith, Master Organist, Dies at 76". The Washington Post.
  2. ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19 ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 509. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  3. ^ "Jimmy Smith | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved June 15, 2021.