The_Doc_Man said:As to the comment regarding Jimmy Smith originating "the Hammond Sound" - try ETHEL Smith, from 30 years earlier. She was innovative and had fingering at least as good as Jimmy Smith - but a different genre. I think the most famous of her recordings were "Nola" and "Tico Tico" - very up-tempo, quite lively, and very precise in her own way. She even wrote a book for organists who needed extra help with pedals - and she added a chapter for women organists who played in heels!
I actually didn't care for Jimmy Smith that much. He was all flash and no substance. Nothing but keyboard pyrotechnics, no coherence of melody. When he played "Misty" on one of his albums, it took him two full verses to get to the point at which the song was recognizable. There is "funky" and I don't question his funk level - but if you can't actually play a recognizable tune such as "Misty" so that it REMAINS recognizable even with improvization, you are missing your audience. Therefore, I would call him an artist but not as good an entertainer.
I figured that Jimmy Smith wasn't the originator of the "Hammond" sound. Thanks for letting me know about Ethel Smith. There must be something about organs and the last name 'Smith'.
It sounds to me that you are a jazz purest. Nothing wrong with that, we just disagree on style. I think that you are correct in saying that you are missing your audience if you don't get to the recognizable part of the song quickly but that also depends on your audience. I have tried playing gigs in front of a knowledgeable jazz crowd and i hated it. It wasn't fun for me at all. Thats why i always played funk/jazz in bars where people was having fun and not critiquing your every note. Of course i am not a hard core jazz player and also not a very good jazz player. lol
Hooks