Johnny "Hammond" Smith


John Robert "Johnny Hammond" Smith was an American soul jazz and hard bop organist. Born in Louisville, Kentucky, he was a renowned player of the Hammond B-3 organ so earning "Hammond" as a nickname, which also avoided his being confused with jazz guitarist Johnny Smith, although this could sometimes lead to him being confused with Jimmy Smith, another Hammond great.

Biography

Smith played with Paul Williams and Chris Columbo before forming his own group. His bands featured singers Etta Jones, Byrdie Green, saxophonists Houston Person, Earl Edwards, guitarists Eddie McFadden, Floyd Smith, James Clark, vibist Freddie McCoy. His career took off as he was serving as accompanist to singer Nancy Wilson. One of his last accomplishments also included Nancy Wilson. He wrote the song "Quiet Fire" for her Nancy Now! release in 1988.
After a 10-year spell on Prestige Records throughout the 1960s, resulting in a series of albums, he signed for soul/R&B influenced Kudu imprint of Creed Taylor's well-regarded CTI Records jazz record label in 1971. His first album for Taylor, Breakout, was chosen that year to launch Kudu. The album featured Grover Washington Jr. as a sideman prior to the launch of his career as a solo recording artist. Three further albums followed with Taylor on Kudu, as he decided to refer to himself as "Johnny Hammond" after deciding to drop "Smith" from his name.
His style had become increasingly funky as he adapted to the style changes in music, culminating in two popular albums with the Mizell Brothers, Gambler's Life for the CTI offshoot, Salvation, and then in 1975 with Gears after switching to another jazz label, Milestone Records. He began using electric and acoustic pianos, starting with Gambler's Life, in addition to his signature instrument. Hammond's song "Shifting Gears" was featured on the breakbeat compilation Ultimate Breaks and Beats, and was also featured in the soundtrack of the 2006 video game Driver: Parallel Lines as well. His song "Conquistadores Chocolates" was covered by BadBadNotGood
and featured on The Cayo Perico Heist update for Grand Theft Auto Online by Rockstar Games.
Smith also taught at the Cal Poly Pomona music department for several years, beginning in January 1987.
He died in Victorville, California, of cancer at the age of 63.

Discography

As leader

Have You Heard Imagination All Soul That Good Feelin' Talk That Talk -with Oliver NelsonStimulation -with Freddie McCoyGettin' the Message -with Lem WinchesterJohnny "Hammond" Cooks with Gator Tail -with Willis JacksonLook Out! -with Seldon PowellBlack Coffee -with Seldon PowellMr. Wonderful -with Houston Person Open House! -with Thad Jones, Seldon PowellA Little Taste -with Virgil Jones, Houston PersonThe Stinger -with Houston Person, Floyd SmithOpus De Funk -with Freddie McCoyThe Stinger Meets the Golden Thrush -with Byrdie Green Love Potion #9 -with Virgil JonesGettin' Up -with Virgil Jones, Houston PersonSoul Flowers -with Houston PersonDirty Grape -with Houston PersonNasty! -with Houston Person, John Abercrombie, Grady Tate Soul Talk -with Rusty Bryant, Bernard PurdieBlack Feeling! -with Virgil Jones, Rusty BryantHere It 'Tis -with Houston Person, Bernard PurdieWhat's Going On -with Grover Washington Jr.Breakout Wild Horses Rock Steady The Prophet Higher Ground Gambler's Life Gears Forever Taurus Storm Warning

LP/CD compilations

The Best Of Johnny "Hammond" Smith The Best Of Johnny "Hammond" Smith For Lovers Talk That Talk That Good Feelin' Legends Of Acid Jazz: Johnny "Hammond" Smith Black Coffee Legends Of Acid Jazz: Johnny "Hammond" Smith - Soul Flowers The Soulful Blues Open House Good 'Nuff
  • ''Opus De Funk''

As sideman

With Gene AmmonsVelvet Soul Angel Eyes
With Byrdie GreenThe Golden Thrush Strikes at Midnight I Got It Bad Sister Byrdie!
With others