Johnny "Hammond" Smith

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Johnny "Hammond" Smith
Birth nameJohn Robert Smith
Also known asJohnny Hammond
Born(1933-12-16)December 16, 1933
Louisville, Kentucky
United States
DiedJune 4, 1997(1997-06-04) (aged 63)
Chicago, Illinois United States
GenresHard Bop, Soul Jazz
Occupation(s)Musician
Instrument(s)Organ

John Robert Smith (December 16, 1933 – June 4, 1997), also known as Johnny "Hammond" Smith, was an American soul jazz and hard bop organist. Born in Louisville, Kentucky, he was a renowned player of the Hammond B-3 organ so earning "Hammond" as a nickname,[1] which also avoided his being confused with jazz guitarist Johnny Smith.

Biography

Smith played with Paul Williams and Chris Columbo before forming his own group. His bands featured singers Etta Jones, Byrdie Green, saxophonists Houston Person, Earl Edwards, guitarists Eddie McFadden, Floyd Smith, James Clark, vibist Freddie McCoy. His career took off as he was serving as accompanist to singer Nancy Wilson. One of his last accomplishments also included Nancy Wilson. He wrote the song "Quiet Fire" for her "Nancy Now" release in 1989.

After a 10-year spell on Prestige Records throughout the 1960s resulting in a series of albums, he signed for soul/R&B influenced Kudu imprint of Creed Taylor's well-regarded CTI Records jazz record label in 1971. His first album for Taylor, "Break Out" was chosen that year to launch Kudu. The album featured Grover Washington Jr. as a sideman prior to the launch of his career as a solo recording artist. Three further albums followed with Taylor on Kudu, as he decided to refer to himself as "Johnny Hammond", after deciding to drop "Smith" from his name.

His style had become increasingly funky as he adapted to the style changes in music, culminating in two popular albums with the Mizell Brothers, "Gambler's Life" (1974) for the CTI offshoot, Salvation and then in 1975, "Gears" after switching to another jazz label, Milestone Records. He began using electric and acoustic pianos, starting with "Gambler's Life", in addition to his signature instrument. Hammond's song "Shifting Gears" was featured on the breakbeat compilation Ultimate Breaks and Beats, and was also featured in the soundtrack of the 2006 video game Driver: Parallel Lines as well.

Smith also taught at the Cal Poly Pomona music department for several years, beginning in January 1987.

Discography

As leader

LP/CD compilations

  • The Best Of Johnny Hammond Smith (Prestige PR 7705, 1969)
  • The Best Of Johnny Hammond Smith For Lovers (Prestige PR 7777, 1970)
  • Talk That Talk (Prestige, 1995) (compilation of Talk That Talk + Gettin' The Message)
  • That Good Feelin' (Prestige, 1996) (compilation of All Soul + That Good Feelin')
  • Legends Of Acid Jazz: Johnny "Hammond" Smith (Prestige, 1996) (compilation of Soul Talk + Black Feeling!)
  • Black Coffee (Milestone, 1997) (compilation of Black Coffee + Mr. Wonderful)
  • Legends Of Acid Jazz: Johnny "Hammond" Smith - Soul Flowers (Prestige, 1999) (compilation of Soul Flowers + Dirty Grape)
  • The Soulful Blues (Prestige, 2000) (compilation of Ebb Tide + Nasty!)
  • Open House (Milestone, 2001) (compilation of Open House! + A Little Taste)
  • Good 'Nuff (Prestige, 2003) (compilation of Cooks With Gator Tail + The Stinger)
  • Opus De Funk (Prestige, 2004) (compilation of Stimulation + Opus De Funk)

As sideman

With Gene Ammons

With Billy Butler

With Oliver Nelson

With Sylvia Syms

References

  1. ^ Allmusic

External links

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