Jimmy McGriff facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jimmy McGriff
McGriff at Organ Summit, Toronto, 2004
Background information
Birth name	James Harrell McGriff
Born	(1936-04-03)April 3, 1936 Germantown, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died	May 24, 2008(2008-05-24) (aged 72) Voorhees Township, New Jersey, U.S.
Genres	Jazz, blues, soul-jazz
Occupation(s)	Musician, bandleader
Instruments	Organ
Years active	1960–2007
Labels	Groove Merchant, Jell, Sue, Solid State

James Harrell McGriff (born April 3, 1936 – died May 24, 2008) was an amazing American musician. He was famous for playing the organ, especially in jazz and blues music. He led his own bands, often called organ trios, which were very popular.

About Jimmy McGriff's Life

Early Life and Musical Start

Jimmy McGriff was born in Germantown, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States. He started playing the piano when he was only five years old! As he grew up, he learned to play many other instruments too. He could play the vibes, alto saxophone, drums, and even the upright bass. His first band was a piano trio, where he played the bass.

When Jimmy joined the United States Army, he worked as a military policeman during the Korean War. After that, he was a police officer in Philadelphia for two years. But music kept calling to him.

Discovering the Organ

Jimmy's childhood friend, Jimmy Smith, was already a famous jazz organist. Jimmy McGriff became very interested in the organ sound. He was especially amazed when Richard "Groove" Holmes played at his sister's wedding. Holmes became Jimmy's teacher and friend. They even recorded music together a few times.

In 1956, Jimmy bought his first Hammond B-3 organ. He spent six months learning how to play it. Then, he studied music at the famous Juilliard School in New York. He also took private lessons from other great musicians like Milt Buckner and Sonny Gatewood. Jimmy was inspired by the powerful playing of Milt Buckner and the smooth style of Count Basie.

First Bands and Big Hits

In the 1960s, Jimmy McGriff formed his own band in Philadelphia. Sometimes, the talented saxophonist Charles Earland played with them. Jimmy also played with famous singers like Carmen McRae when they came to town.

In 1961, Jimmy's band got a chance to record a song. It was an instrumental version of Ray Charles' hit song, "I've Got a Woman". This recording became very popular on local radio stations. A bigger record company, Sue, then signed Jimmy and released a full album in 1962. This album also had another hit song called "All About My Girl." These songs showed everyone that Jimmy was a fantastic organist who played fiery, blues-based music. He was great at mixing gospel, soul, and "fatback groove" styles.

Jimmy recorded many popular albums for the Sue label until 1965. One of his best blues-jazz albums from that time was Blues for Mister Jimmy. Later, he joined Solid State in 1966. This gave him many chances to record different styles of music. He played in big bands, with blues bands, and even recorded funk classics like Electric Funk. He also covered popular songs and released his own hit singles like "The Worm."

During these years, Jimmy McGriff traveled all over the world, playing in clubs and concert halls. He lived in Newark, New Jersey, and even opened his own club called The Golden Slipper.

Later Years and New Sounds

In 1972, Jimmy McGriff took a break from music to start a horse farm. But his record company, Groove Merchant, kept releasing his music. By 1973, he was back to touring and recording a lot. Even when disco music became popular, Jimmy adapted his style. He made some of his best music during this time, including albums like Stump Juice (1975) and Red Beans (1976).

In the 1980s, Jimmy started working with producer Bob Porter. He began a long partnership with Fantasy Records' Milestone label. He played with many other great musicians like Rusty Bryant and David "Fathead" Newman.

In 1986, Jimmy started a very popular partnership with alto saxophone player Hank Crawford. They recorded five albums together for Milestone records. Their music was very popular in clubs and on cruise ships.

Exploring New Technology

Between 1994 and 1998, Jimmy McGriff tried out a new organ called the Hammond XB-3. This organ was a synthesizer that could do more things with MIDI technology. MIDI helps musical instruments talk to computers. This new organ gave Jimmy more sounds to play with, like vibes, piano, strings, and brass. He liked that it weighed less than his old B3 organ, making it easier to move for concerts.

In the mid-1990s, Jimmy's soul-jazz sound became popular again. He formed a group called 'The Dream Team' with David "Fathead" Newman and drummer Bernard Purdie. They recorded several successful albums together.

On March 29, 2008, Jimmy McGriff had a special private concert just for him. His friend Bill "Mr. B3" Dilks played the organ for him and his family. Jimmy McGriff passed away on May 24, 2008, at the age of 72. He lived in Voorhees Township, New Jersey, and died due to problems from multiple sclerosis.

Jimmy McGriff's Music

Jimmy McGriff released many albums throughout his career. He was known for his unique blend of jazz, blues, and soul music. His albums often featured his powerful organ playing, sometimes with a full band or a smaller trio. He recorded for various labels, including Sue, Solid State, and Milestone. His music continues to be enjoyed by fans of jazz and blues around the world.

Charted Songs

Jimmy McGriff also had several songs that became popular hits:

See also

In Spanish: Jimmy McGriff para niños