Jimmy Smith

United States

"A driving groove emerges from tight bass riffs and dense chord progressions, creating an atmosphere that compels movement and connection."

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Begin with Jimmy Smith…

The Sermon!

1959

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Career Arc

Jimmy Smith's discography from 1956 to 2007

1956 1981 2007

At the Organ - The Incred... (1956) A New Sound – A New Star (1956) The Champ (1956) A Date with Jimmy Smith V... (1957) Plays Pretty Just for You (1957) A Date with Jimmy Smith V... (1957) At Club "Baby Grand" Wilm... (1957) Groovin' at Smalls' Parad... (1958) Jimmy Smith at the Organ,... (1958) Groovin' at Smalls' Parad... (1958) Jimmy Smith at the Organ... (1958) Softly as a Summer Breeze (1958) The Sermon! (1959) The Sounds of Jimmy Smith (1959) House Party (1959) Plain Talk (1960) Back at the Chicken Shack (1960) Crazy! Baby (1960) Open House (1960) Midnight Special (1961)

Jimmy Smith matters for his pivotal role in redefining the organ's place in jazz, elevating it from a supporting instrument to the forefront of the genre.

Jimmy Smith matters for his pivotal role in redefining the organ's place in jazz, elevating it from a supporting instrument to the forefront of the genre. His work not only bridged the gap between hard bop and funk but also laid the groundwork for future generations of musicians, demonstrating how improvisation could thrive within a groove-heavy context. By transforming the jazz organ into a lead vehicle, he altered audience expectations and expanded the sonic palette of jazz with an infectious energy. His process revolves around a unique blend of rhythmic precision and melodic daring, often layering thick chords with dynamic bass lines that invite listeners to engage with both body and mind. Smith's innovative use of the Hammond B-3 organ introduced a textural richness while allowing for spontaneous exploration within structured compositions. This approach established new avenues for interaction between soloists and rhythm sections, cementing his influence in jam sessions and studio recordings alike. In his songwriting, Smith often weaves narratives that reflect the vibrancy of urban life, exploring themes of celebration, heartache, and resilience through an instrumental lens. His tone strikes a balance between sincerity and playfulness, favoring soulful expression over overt lyricism. The storytelling is predominantly impressionistic, encouraging listeners to feel rather than just hear.

Full discography

Jimmy Smith's albums in order, from earliest releases to latest.

51 releases • 51 albums • 1956–2007

Type:

Albums ()

Straight Life

2007

Dot Com Blues

2001

Groovin' at Smalls' Paradise

1999

Six Views of the Blues

1999

Angel Eyes: Ballads & Slow Jams

1996

Damn!

1995

Black Smith

1974

Bluesmith

1972

The Other Side of Jimmy Smith

1971

Root Down

The Boss

Christmas Cookin'

Cool Blues

Groove Drops

1970

Respect

1967

I'm Movin' On

1967

Peter & the Wolf

1966

Bucket!

1966

Hoochie Coochie Man

1966

Organ Grinder Swing

1965

Monster

1965

Got My Mojo Workin'

1965

Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

1964

Prayer Meetin'

1964

The Cat

1964

Any Number Can Win

1963

Rockin' the Boat

1963

Hobo Flats

1963

Bashin': The Unpredictable Jimmy Smith

1962

Plays Fats Waller

1962

Midnight Special

1961

Home Cookin'

1961

Plain Talk

1960

Back at the Chicken Shack

1960

Crazy! Baby

1960

Open House

1960

The Sermon!

1959

The Sounds of Jimmy Smith

1959

House Party

1959

Groovin' at Smalls' Paradise - Volume 2

1958

Jimmy Smith at the Organ, Volume 2

1958

Groovin' at Smalls' Paradise - Volume 1

1958

Jimmy Smith at the Organ - Volume 1

1958

Softly as a Summer Breeze

1958

A Date with Jimmy Smith Volume Two

1957

Plays Pretty Just for You

1957

A Date with Jimmy Smith Volume One

1957

At Club "Baby Grand" Wilmington, Delaware

1957

At the Organ - The Incredible Jimmy Smith Volume 3

1956

A New Sound – A New Star

1956

The Champ

1956

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Timeline

How their sound evolved over time

A New Sound – A New... (1956)

At the Organ - The Incredible Jimmy Smith Volume 3

At the Organ - The I... (1956)

The Champ (1956)

A Date with Jimmy Sm... (1957)

A Date with Jimmy Sm... (1957)

Plays Pretty Just fo... (1957)

At Club "Baby Grand" Wilmington, Delaware

At Club "Baby Grand"... (1957)

Jimmy Smith at the O... (1958)

Softly as a Summer B... (1958)

Groovin' at Smalls'... (1958)

Jimmy Smith at the O... (1958)

Groovin' at Smalls'... (1958)

The Sermon! (1959)

The Sounds of Jimmy... (1959)

House Party (1959)

Plain Talk (1960)

Back at the Chicken... (1960)

Crazy! Baby (1960)

Open House (1960)

Home Cookin' (1961)

Midnight Special (1961)

Bashin': The Unpredi... (1962)

Plays Fats Waller (1962)

Any Number Can Win (1963)

Rockin' the Boat (1963)

Hobo Flats (1963)

Who's Afraid of Virg... (1964)

Prayer Meetin' (1964)

The Cat (1964)

Organ Grinder Swing (1965)

Monster (1965)

Got My Mojo Workin' (1965)

Peter & the Wolf (1966)

Bucket! (1966)

Hoochie Coochie Man (1966)

Respect (1967)

I'm Movin' On (1967)

Groove Drops (1970)

The Other Side of Ji... (1971)

Bluesmith (1972)

Black Smith (1974)

Damn! (1995)

Angel Eyes: Ballads... (1996)

Groovin' at Smalls'... (1999)

Six Views of the Blu... (1999)

Dot Com Blues (2001)

Straight Life (2007)

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Jimmy Smith sound like?

A driving groove emerges from tight bass riffs and dense chord progressions, creating an atmosphere that compels movement and connection. Rooted in funk and indie rock. Start with The Sermon!.

What is the best Jimmy Smith album to start with?

The best album to start with is "The Sermon!" (1959). It's the most representative of what makes Jimmy Smith worth hearing.

Who is Jimmy Smith for?

If you're into funk and indie rock, Jimmy Smith is worth your time. A driving groove emerges from tight bass riffs and dense chord progressions, creating an atmosphere that compels movement and connection.

How many albums does Jimmy Smith have?

Jimmy Smith has 51 releases in their discography, including 51 albums.

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