description The Sermon! – Jimmy Smith Overview
Jimmy Smith's “The Sermon,” released in 1959, is a cornerstone of Blue Note jazz. This album highlights Smith’s exceptional skill as an organist and bandleader. It features complex arrangements and extended solos demonstrating his improvisational prowess. "The Sermon" remains notable for its influential contribution to organ-jazz and continues to be appreciated by serious listeners and musicians interested in classic hard bop music.
help The Sermon! – Jimmy Smith FAQ
Who plays on Jimmy Smith's The Sermon?
The Sermon! is a Blue Note album led by Jimmy Smith on Hammond B-3 organ. The sessions include major players such as Lee Morgan, Lou Donaldson, Tina Brooks, Kenny Burrell, Art Blakey, and Donald Bailey.
When was The Sermon! recorded?
The music was recorded in 1957 and 1958 and released by Blue Note in 1959. The title track is a long blues performance that shows why Smith became the defining jazz organist of the era.
Why is The Sermon! important for Hammond organ jazz?
Jimmy Smith helped turn the Hammond B-3 into a lead jazz instrument rather than just a church or lounge instrument. The Sermon! captures his mix of blues phrasing, bebop lines, and hard bop energy.
What should I play after The Sermon! if I like Jimmy Smith?
Good next stops include Back at the Chicken Shack and Midnight Special, both also associated with Blue Note. Those records continue the organ-combo sound that made Smith famous.
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