Like most, I was introduced to jazz through the recordings of Satchmo, Ellington and Miles. But it was Jimmy who really turned me into a junkie. I bought 'Got My Mojo Workin' in early 1965 and that led to 'Bashin', 'Midnight Special' and his BN releases from the mid- and late-fifties. He remained the quintessential jazz organist (Dot Com Blues demonstrated how little his skills had eroded) to the end and other organists such as Jack McDuff, Wild Bill Davis, Larry Young, Billy Preston and Jimmy McGriff owe much of their success to Smith's introduction of the B3 as a lead instrument. Jimmy, like the recent losses of Ray Charles, Barney Kessel, Elvin Jones, Noble Watts and Illinois Jacquet, will be sorely missed. Thank goodness we have so many archival reminders of their brilliance. If you don't have any of Jimmy's recordings get out and buy some today.
