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Jimmy McGriff (1936–2008)

James Harrell McGriff (April 3, 1936 – May 24, 2008), American hard bop and soul-jazz organist and organ-trio bandleader from Philadelphia. One of the most recorded disciples of Jimmy Smith, with a blues/gospel/"fatback groove" sound distinct from Smith's bebop virtuosity.^[raw/articles/wikipedia-jimmy-mcgriff.md]

Early years

  • Born in Germantown, Philadelphia; played piano from age five, later vibes, alto sax, drums and upright bass. Served as a military policeman in the Korean War, then two years as a Philadelphia police officer.^[raw/articles/wikipedia-jimmy-mcgriff.md]
  • Drawn to the organ after hearing Richard "Groove" Holmes play at his sister's wedding; Holmes became his teacher and friend (they recorded together for Groove Merchant in 1973). Childhood friend and neighbor of Jimmy Smith; the two played together once in 1967.^[raw/articles/wikipedia-jimmy-mcgriff.md]
  • Bought his first Hammond B-3 in 1956, studied at Juilliard, and privately with Milt Buckner, Jimmy Smith, and Sonny Gatewood.^[raw/articles/wikipedia-jimmy-mcgriff.md]

Career milestones

  • 1961–62: instrumental cover of Ray Charles' "I've Got a Woman" on Jell Records, picked up by Sue Records after local airplay; the follow-up album produced the hit "All About My Girl".^[raw/articles/wikipedia-jimmy-mcgriff.md]
  • 1962–65: series of Sue albums ending with Blues for Mister Jimmy.^[raw/articles/wikipedia-jimmy-mcgriff.md]
  • 1966 onward: star attraction of producer Sonny Lester's Solid State label — big band (The Big Band, 1966), organ-and-blues-band albums (Honey, A Thing to Come By), funk (Electric Funk, 1970), pop covers, and singles like "The Worm" and "Step One".^[raw/articles/wikipedia-jimmy-mcgriff.md]
  • Settled in Newark, NJ; ran his own supper club, The Golden Slipper (recorded Black Pearl and Chicken Fried Soul there). Performed regularly with Buddy Rich's band from 1969.^[raw/articles/wikipedia-jimmy-mcgriff.md]
  • His Philadelphia combo featured tenor saxophonist Charles Earland, who soon switched to organ and became a renowned organist in his own right.^[raw/articles/wikipedia-jimmy-mcgriff.md]
  • Later labels: Groove Merchant, Milestone, Telarc; active until 2007.^[raw/articles/wikipedia-jimmy-mcgriff.md]
  • jimmy-smith — friend, neighbor and sometime teacher
  • hammond-b3 — his instrument from 1956
  • Jon Lord cited McGriff's "All About My Girl" among the records that shaped his Hammond style (jon-lord)