When Alfred Lion heard Jimmy for the first time in the late 50s he more or less stated that he wanted to quit his job and be Jimmy's groupy so he could hear him play everyday. My wife's and my first date was a Jimmy Smith gig at the Blue Note in Manhattan in the mid 80s. He, and his ultra-tight group of monsters (Mickey Roker, Kenny Burrell, and Stanley Turrentine) rocked the place off its foundation. He swung so hard the tourists were getting seasick. We were totally hooked, and have seen him whenever possible. It saddens us greatly that this elite musician has been called to meet his maker.
