Jimmy McGriff

Jimmy McGriff on vinyl: Hammond organ with blues and groove

In short: Jimmy McGriff (1936–2008) from Philadelphia played the Hammond organ with a particularly strong dose of blues. In 1962 his instrumental version of “I’ve Got A Woman” was his breakthrough. In the sixties and seventies he made soul jazz and jazz-funk that still gets played in clubs and has been sampled by hip-hop producers. The Vinyl Room currently has 10 Jimmy McGriff records.

What makes Jimmy McGriff special?

His playing is rooted in blues and gospel rather than bebop. We have the early Sue records “I’ve Got A Woman”, “At The Organ”, “At The Apollo” and “Blues For Mister Jimmy”, plus “A Thing To Come By” from the Solid State years.

In the seventies it got funkier: “Something To Listen To”, “Soul Sugar” and “Groove Grease” – and “Giants Of The Organ Come Together”, the meeting with Richard “Groove” Holmes, two organs on one record.

From our stock

First pressings

Records by Jimmy McGriff

→ Groove Merchant · Solid State · Richard “Groove” Holmes · Soul jazz

FAQ

Which instrument did Jimmy McGriff play? The Hammond B3 organ.

What was his first big success? “I’ve Got A Woman” (1962), an instrumental version of the Ray Charles classic.

What is “Giants Of The Organ Come Together”? A 1973 record on which he plays organ together with Richard “Groove” Holmes.

Which records do you have? Albums from the sixties and seventies – 10 records in all.