Jimmy Smith (b. 1928) is a jazz musician, specifically an organist. He has a jazz style known in the sixties and seventies as ' funk' or ' soul jazz'. Smith, whose preferred instrument is the Hammond B-3 electric organ, was influenced by both gospel and blues. His music is characterised by percussive left hand work, and very fast melodic improvisation with the right hand. Smith first recorded with the Blue Note label in 1956, switched to Verve in 1963, and has been a prolific recording artist. With an orchestra, he has recorded with arrangers and conductors such as Lalo Schifrin and Oliver Nelson ; in small groups he has worked with many of the best jazz musicians around, like Kenny BurrellKenneth Earl Burrell (born in 1931) is an American jazz guitarist. His playing is founded in bop but works well with other jazz styles, so he has performed and recorded with a wide range of jazz musicians. Burrell made his first recording in 1951, with Di, Wes MontgomeryJohn Leslie "Wes" Montgomery was an African-American jazz guitarist. He was born in Indianapolis, Indiana on March 6, 1925. He was part of a musical family including his brothers, Monk ( string bass) and Buddy ( vibraphone). His recordings for Riverside R, and Grady TateGrady Tate born January 14. 1942 in Durham, North Carolina, is a jazz drummer. He has played with Quincy Jones, Wes Montgomery, Jimmy Smith, as well as many other famous jazz artists. He is also a vocalist. He was the drummer on the Johnny Carson Tonight.
