Too much of the talk about Hammond B-3 great Jimmy McGriff centered on what kind of player he was. Jazz? Blues? Gospel? R&B? Well, the organist himself always insisted that he was a blues player. But he was a considerable player of many abilities and managed over the course of four decades to appeal to a diverse audience of listeners. 

McGriff's best work is reminiscent of the kind heard by Booker T. & The M.G.s, Junior Walker or King Curtis - other talents who've found success reaching listeners' souls or moving their feet.

James Harrell McGriff always sounded best in a blues or gospel groove. But the way he riffed on a funk theme proves he was one of the all-time best of the organ groovers.

Jimmy McGriff's finest - and most diverse - work was made for Sonny Lester between 1966 and 1978 on such labels as Solid State, Blue Note, United Artists, Capitol, Groove Merchant and LRC. Here, McGriff covered the blues, jazz, easy listening, swing, funk and disco - all in his own winning style.

Certainly, McGriff has made other albums worth hearing. BLUES FOR MISTER JIMMY (1965), THE DREAM TEAM (1996) and McGRIFF'S HOUSE PARTY (1999) come to mind. But McGriff sounds "turned on" throughout so much more of the music he made under Sonny Lester's guidance. However you experience it, it is easy to enjoy the McGriffin' of Jimmy McGriff. Discover more here...

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