Victor Christensen Posted February 9, 2005 Report Posted February 9, 2005 All the greats ones from those I dig (love) are nearly gone. SAD, SAD, SAD. Vic Quote
Hardbopjazz Posted February 9, 2005 Report Posted February 9, 2005 (edited) From Rolling Stone Mag. Rolling Stone Edited February 9, 2005 by Hardbopjazz Quote
ghost of miles Posted February 9, 2005 Report Posted February 9, 2005 NPR audio obit after 7:30PM Eastern time: AudiObit --- Now playing: WKCR - Columbia University Yep--they just tagged it in the billboard for All Things Considered. Quote
sheldonm Posted February 9, 2005 Report Posted February 9, 2005 NPR audio obit after 7:30PM Eastern time: AudiObit --- Now playing: WKCR - Columbia University Yep--they just tagged it in the billboard for All Things Considered. Good deal! Quote
Robert J Posted February 9, 2005 Report Posted February 9, 2005 I just heard a live phone conversation between a DJ on my local Toronto station Jazz.fm and Joey DeFrancesco. Joey is pretty shaken up, naturally, but spoke warmly of the new album they did called, fittingly, "Legacy". The station just got an advance copy today. Joey did say that the sessions were filmed with the intention of releasing it in that format as well. Quote
ghost of miles Posted February 9, 2005 Report Posted February 9, 2005 OK, so which is it! 1925 or 1928? Rolling Stone is saying '25 (along with Ben Young on air) --- Now playing: WKCR - Columbia University AMG says 1928, but that means absolutely nothing IMO. Quote
Sundog Posted February 9, 2005 Report Posted February 9, 2005 OK, so which is it! 1925 or 1928? Rolling Stone is saying '25 (along with Ben Young on air) --- Now playing: WKCR - Columbia University I've seen 1925 in a number of different places, none of which I would call definitive. Had a boring ass 3 1/2 hour meeting today. Did nothing but conjure up Jimmy records in my head for the entire meeting. He will be missed. Quote
Werf Posted February 9, 2005 Report Posted February 9, 2005 NPR's All Things Considered are airing an obit in about minute or two... Quote
RonF Posted February 9, 2005 Author Report Posted February 9, 2005 Concord Records, Inc FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Hammond B-3 Legend Jimmy Smith Passes December 8, 1925 to February 8, 2005 Jimmy Smith, the Hammond B-3 icon who creatively revolutionized the instrument in Jazz, died of apparent natural causes on Tuesday, February 8, at his home in Scottsdale, Arizona. Funeral arrangements are pending. "Jimmy was one of the greatest and most innovative musicians of our time. I love the man and I love the music. He was my idol, my mentor and my friend," fellow Hammond B-3 artist and friend, Joey Defrancesco said yesterday. Born in Norristown, Pennsylvania on December 8, 1925, Jimmy Smith ruled the Hammond B-3 organ in the 1950s & 1960s. He turned the instrument into almost an ensemble itself, fusing R&B, blues, and gospel influences with bebop references into a jubilant, attractive sound that many others immediately absorbed before following in his footsteps. Smith initially learned piano both from his parents and on his own. After service in the Navy, in 1948 he studied bass at the Hamilton School of Music and piano at Ornstein¹s School of Music in Philadelphia. He began playing the Hammond organ in 1951, and soon earned a great reputation that followed him to New York, where he debuted at the Café Bohemia. A date at Birdland and then a 1957 Newport Jazz Festival appearance launched Smith¹s career. He toured extensively throughout the 1960s & '70s. Smith's Blue Note sessions from 1956 to 1963 were extremely influential and are highly recommended. They included collaborations with Kenny Burrell, Lee Morgan, Lou Donaldson, Tina Brooks, Jackie McLean, Ike Quebec, and Stanley Turrentine, among others. Smith also recorded for Verve from 1963 to 1972, many of them featuring big bands and using fine arrangements from Oliver Nelson. These included the excellent Walk on the Wild Side. Jimmy Smith persevered in times when the Hammond organ seemed like it was down and out, and reigned as the master of the craft. The authentic sound of the Hammond still lives on in his protégé and good buddy Joey DeFrancesco. The pair recently recorded a studio album together, Legacy, to be released on Concord Records February 15. A national tour was in place for the B-3 soul mates to commence at Yoshi's February 16-20, along with a special Iridium engagement in New York, March 23-27. Quote
Robert J Posted February 9, 2005 Report Posted February 9, 2005 Yoshi's changed next week's scheduled Joey and Jimmy duo concert to a "Tribute". www.yoshis.com Quote
catesta Posted February 9, 2005 Report Posted February 9, 2005 Jimmy Smith, the Hammond B-3 icon who creatively revolutionized the instrument in Jazz, died of apparent natural causes on Tuesday, February 8, at his home in Scottsdale, Arizona. Funeral arrangements are pending. Fuck! I'm ashamed to say I never knew he was living in Phoenix. Typical of the news originizations here not to make one fucking mention of it. If it was Glen Campbell or Alice Cooper there would be emergency news bulletins all day and all night. MSNBC Quote
RonF Posted February 10, 2005 Author Report Posted February 10, 2005 Typical of the news originizations here not to make one fucking mention of it.  This is from today's New York Times On The Web. No mention of Jimmy. Nothing. MUSIC Music Review | Leonidas Kavakos and Denes Varjon: Testing Violinist and Pianist With Enescu, Bartok and More Steve Burgh, 54, Music Producer, Dies Lazar Berman, Pianist Known for Powerful Style, Dies at 74 Sonny Day, Grand Ole Opry Accordionist, Dies at 80 San Francisco Opera Names a New Director Quote
7/4 Posted February 10, 2005 Report Posted February 10, 2005 Typical of the news originizations here not to make one fucking mention of it.  This is from today's New York Times On The Web. No mention of Jimmy. Nothing. MUSIC Music Review | Leonidas Kavakos and Denes Varjon: Testing Violinist and Pianist With Enescu, Bartok and More Steve Burgh, 54, Music Producer, Dies Lazar Berman, Pianist Known for Powerful Style, Dies at 74 Sonny Day, Grand Ole Opry Accordionist, Dies at 80 San Francisco Opera Names a New Director But Sarah Jessica Parker has a new smell, while Marcia Cross (from Desperate Housewives) is making it clear that while she's no desperate housewife, she's not gay. These are the issues that grip the world today. Quote
Herb Posted February 10, 2005 Report Posted February 10, 2005 This thread grew to 4 pages in a day (I have my board settings at 40 per page). Says something about Jimmy's influence, doesn't it? RIP, man, you are the greatest. B-) B-) Quote
PHILLYQ Posted February 10, 2005 Report Posted February 10, 2005 RIP to the Organmaster I came home from work today and in the mailbox is the latest issue of Downbeat, complete with an article about the DeFranceso/Smith recording. I guess timing is everything. Quote
Hardbopjazz Posted February 10, 2005 Report Posted February 10, 2005 Jimmy Smith, the Hammond B-3 icon who creatively revolutionized the instrument in Jazz, died of apparent natural causes on Tuesday, February 8, at his home in Scottsdale, Arizona. Funeral arrangements are pending. Fuck! I'm ashamed to say I never knew he was living in Phoenix. Typical of the news originizations here not to make one fucking mention of it. If it was Glen Campbell or Alice Cooper there would be emergency news bulletins all day and all night. MSNBC Will you try to attend his services? Quote
sheldonm Posted February 10, 2005 Report Posted February 10, 2005 I think the cd is out on 2/12. Quote
Soul Stream Posted February 10, 2005 Report Posted February 10, 2005 Services are in Philly. Now THAT's going to be a service! I was at John Patton's funeral and was in awe as I saw legend after legend walk by. Can't imagine the royalty paying homage at Jimmy's service. Quote
Hardbopjazz Posted February 10, 2005 Report Posted February 10, 2005 (edited) Here's Jimmy less then a month ago receiving an award. This photo released by the National Endowment for the Arts, shows award-winning jazz organist Jimmy Smith accepting his NEA Jazz Master award from 2004 NEA Jazz Master Nancy Wilson, right, at an awards ceremony and concert Jan. 7, 2005, in Long Beach, Calif. Smith died Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2005, of natural causes at his home in Scottsdale, Ariz. He was 79. (AP Photo/National Endowment for the Arts, Vance Jacobs) He looked okay here. Edited February 10, 2005 by Hardbopjazz Quote
Jazz Kat Posted February 10, 2005 Report Posted February 10, 2005 Wow, I think I saw that on BET last year.. Quote
cannonball-addict Posted February 10, 2005 Report Posted February 10, 2005 I just found out while browsing the news on AAJ. This is terrible. I never saw him live but I can imagine the awe of his mastery. R.I.P Jimmy Smith. I will dedicate my broadcast tomorrow morning to him. Quote
cannonball-addict Posted February 10, 2005 Report Posted February 10, 2005 Has anyone confirmed this? The source is a reliable voice in jazz promotion in NYC, currently working the new Joey DeFrancesco with Jimmy Smith CD. She wouldn't blow a false alarm. I must say, I'm surprised that it hasn't hit the wires. Her email arrived around 5 PM eastern. Is that Jana LeSorte? Quote
mjzee Posted February 10, 2005 Report Posted February 10, 2005 Very, very sad news. Jimmy brought much joy into our lives, and man could he play! Quote
Peter Johnson Posted February 10, 2005 Report Posted February 10, 2005 Services are in Philly. Now THAT's going to be a service! I was at John Patton's funeral and was in awe as I saw legend after legend walk by. Can't imagine the royalty paying homage at Jimmy's service. Of course, this happens when I move to Seattle. If there's any feasible way, I'm going to get my ass back "home" for this... Quote
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