They talk about who taught me this and who taught me that, but the basic idea of what I'm doing on the organ came from the church, That's how I got it, and I just never dropped it." -Jimmy McGriff
 The late, great Jimmy McGriff, photo by Atael Weissman.
One of the great Hammiond B3 organists of all time, Jimmy McGriff, passed away a little over a year ago. Creole Restaurant and Music Supper Club will present a Tribute To The Legendary Jimmy McGriff as part of its Jazz Legacy Series – on Friday, June 26th and and Saturday, June 27th. McGriff's appeal extended to jazz, r&b and pop audiences while basically playing the same music which was jazzier than Booker T. and bluesier that Jimmy Smith. But McGriff didn't consider himself a jazz organist, "People are always classifying me as a jazz organist, but I'm more of a blues organ player, That's really what I feel." The Hammond B3 legend will be celebrated by a stellar line up of jazz artists: Blue Note Recording Artist Reuben Wilson (organ), Savant Recording Artist Melvin Sparks (Guitar), Bill Easley (Sax), and Vince Ector (Drums) – bringing their own brand of energy to McGriff’s music.
In 1962, McGriff was 'discovered' while performing in Trenton, New Jersey, by a talent scout who heard McGriff's's arrangement of "I've Got a Woman" and offered him a contract. Sue Records in New York purchased the master and it became a smash, peaking at No. 5 on Billboard's R&B chart and at No. 20 on the pop list. With that and subsequent singles "All About My Girl," "M.G. Blues," and "Bump De Bump," McGriff gained great poplularity and his records were stocked in juke boxes across the country. After leaving Sue Records, McGriff recorded many records including releases on State, Blue Note, Capitol, United Artists, Groove Merchant, and JAM.
In the 70's McGriff ran his own jazz club, the Golden Slipper in Newark and recorded two great live records there. McGriff continued to record and delight audinces well into the 21st century.
 Reuben Wilson
Reuben Wilson, a former professional boxer who helped usher in a new musical era over 30 years ago, continues to have a profound influence on the modern music scene. "Today, I'm playing to the children of my original audience", Wilson noted. "I feel like l made a real contribution musically, and I feel very good about the fact that it's actually given me legend status in Europe." In 1997, Wilson received his first gold disc for his compositions on the US3 recording "Hand On The Torch". That same year he collaborated with Dr. Lonnie Smith on the Hip Bop Organic Grooves II LP and Blue Note reissued two of his albums: "Love Bug" (1969), with trumpeter Lee Morgan, tenor saxophonist George Coleman, guitarist Grant Green and drummer ldris Muhammad (then known as Leo Morris); and "Blue Mode" (1969) with tenor saxophonist John Manning, guitarist Melvin Sparks and drummer Tommy Derrick.
Tickets available at the door. $20.00 Music Charge. Sets at 8:00 and 10:00 PM at Creole, 2167 Third Avenue, Corner of 118th Street, NY, NY 10035. 212-876-8838. More information at www.creolenyc.com. For more great jazz organ music in the city this weekend - check out the Jazz Standard www.jazzstandard.com as they present the Joey DeFrancesco Trio. Thursday - Sunday, June 25 - 28 with Joey DeFrancesco on Hammond B-3 Organ, Jerry Weldon - tenor sax (6/25-6/27), Carmen Intorre - drums (6/25-6/27), Paul Bollenback - guitar (6/28), and Byron Landham - drums (6/28). |
New York 
Monday, 15 March 2010
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