Jimmy Smith on the BBC

April 29, 2009 6:02 AM

If you're in the mood for some of that juicy, satisfying, blues-inflected and soulful-as-hell organ jazz served up Jimmy Smith-style, check out these 1964 BBC TV appearances from Smith and his trio: The Sermon, Wagon Wheels, Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf, Uptempo Blues and Theme from Mondo Cane.

What a great trio Smith had here: Billy Hart is the consummate jazz percussionist, and Quentin Warren (on a Strat!) sounds mighty fine, smooth as silk. And the BBC cameramen did a fine job of shooting these kicking performances. Enjoy!

BTW, the YT poster's titles all indicate that this performance was from 1964, but I notice one clip contains a caption indicating the year was 1965... well, whatever the year, it's damn good music.

And... Jimmy Smith obit from 2005, previously.

posted by flapjax at midnite (16 comments total)

No one can front on The Incredible Jimy Smith. Nice.
posted by bardic at 6:39 AM on April 29

Did I see that right? Is he doing a walking bassline with his foot as he plays? [genuflects]
posted by umbú at 6:48 AM on April 29 [1 favorite has favorites]

I haven't even checked these links out yet and I'm drooling. Thank you, flapjax! Jimmy Smith is a force of nature.
posted by barrett caulk at 8:27 AM on April 29

Oh, thank you! I grew up listening to blues and jazz with my dad but as a kid I wasn't interested in who was playing and he died before I thought to ask him. Now I listen to all the jazz and blues I can trying to find what I heard then. This is definitely some of it. I can't thank you enough.
posted by shmurley at 9:26 AM on April 29 [1 favorite has favorites]

I'm sorry, I just have to comment again. I'm crying listening to this awesome music that reminds me of my dad like nothing else could. Flapjax, you rock.
posted by shmurley at 9:32 AM on April 29

Man, I love organ soul jazz--if you dig this stuff, check out two of my favorites--Big John Patton and Jack McDuff. Thanks, flapjax.
posted by box at 9:49 AM on April 29

Holy crap great stuff.
posted by lazaruslong at 10:00 AM on April 29

Really enjoying these, thanks! I was gonna throw in Jimmy McGriff funk organ but if I'm not wrong I got that from an earlier thread by you..
posted by yoHighness at 10:06 AM on April 29

Don't forget to dig on this one, too: Moanin'. Check out his move at around 3:08. Really, really great. I normally prefer smaller settings, and the audience is..um..disturbingly appreciative...but still. Jimmy Smith rules.
posted by silkyd at 10:28 AM on April 29

So, so awesome.

Jimmy Smith was the one who pulled me away from the dark days of NiN, the Smiths and The Cure, and into jazz and jazz-based hip hop like Digable Planets and MC 900 ft Jesus, for which I am eternally grateful.

Every day is NOT like Sunday.
posted by chronkite at 11:49 AM on April 29

Brilliant! I love Jimmy Smith!
posted by ob at 12:42 PM on April 29

Needs a "chickenshack" tag.
posted by Joe Beese at 12:48 PM on April 29

Needs a "chickenshack" tag.

Not to be eponysterical, but I couldn't agree more.
posted by Pollomacho at 12:51 PM on April 29

Chickenshack tag added.

Glad y'all are digging on Jimmy.

yoHighness: You're maybe thinking of this Jimmy McGriff FPP, which was posted by ornateinsect.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 1:59 PM on April 29

Fantastic. Led me to revisit the classic Root Down (And Get It), later sampled by the Beastie Boys.
posted by googly at 2:01 PM on April 29

flapjax: you found it! thanks for helping me build my favourites collection!
posted by yoHighness at 11:42 AM on April 30