Jimmy McGriff's
Top 10 Records |
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Jimmy McGriff |
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Name: Jimmy McGriff
| Nee: |
James Harrell McGriff |
| Born: |
3 Apr 1936 |
| Origin: |
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Instruments: |
Organ |
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| Jimmy McGriff's parents were both pianists so he was encouraged to learn to play musical instruments. By the time he left school he could play the piano, bass, vibes, drums and saxophone. In his youth he played with Archie Shepp, Reggie Workman, Charles Earland and Donald Bailey. Jimmy McGriff served as a military policeman in the Korean War and decided, rather than make his career as a musician he would take up law enforcement. He soon realised he had made a mistake and started moonlighting as a bass player. He finally left the police force and studied organ at Combe College, Philadelphia, and New York's Juilliard School of Music.
Eager to learn, he took private lessons with Jimmy Smith, Richard 'Groove' Holmes and Milt Buckner, as well as from classical organist Sonny Gatewood. In 1962, Jimmy McGriff recorded the single 'I Got A Woman' which really made his career take off. This was followed by a string of hits. Jimmy Smith was the king of the organ but Jimmy McGriff was known by this time as the crown prince. |
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