Jimmy McGriff: Late 1969

Reprinted from http://jazzwax.com

In the 1960s, organist Jimmy McGriff had a more pointed attack on the keyboards than many Hammond organists of the period. His approach was percussive and funky, with a strong dose of the blues. McGriff had been childhood friends with organ pioneer Jimmy Smith, and organist Richard "Groove" Holmes gave him lessons. He also studied at the Juilliard School of Music and with Smith and Milt Buckner among others. In the 1960s, McGriff became the house organist at clubs in Philadelphia, backing marquee musicians and singers who toured through town. McGriff's punctuating organ style resulted in several soul-jazz hits in the '60s, and he joined the Solid State label in 1966 as the label's premiere artist.

In late 1969 (according to Jet magazine), McGriff was on tour in Europe with Leo Johnson (ts), Larry Frazier (g) and Jesse Kilpatrick (d). Here they are in Paris playing Keep Loose...

Used with permission by Marc Myers