Jimmy McGriff RIP

It was Q-Tip of A Tribe Called Quest who turned me on to legendary organist Jimmy McGriff, when I interviewed Tip for an article I wrote in Option Magazine many years ago. "My pops turned me on to McGriff," the Quester told me and who the legendary hip-hoppers sampled on "God Lives Through" from Midnight Marauders. Quest were not alone in their use of McGriff's music; KRS-One and Cypress Hill were a couple more who sampled his work.

McGriff was born right here in Philly, in Germantown and considered to be one of the most classic and funkiest Hammond B-3 players. McGriff was friends with Jimmy Smith and was schooled by Groove Holmes. After studying at Juliard, McGriff returned to Philly and formed his first combo, recording for Jell and then Sue Records. McGriff could play the blues, jazz, gospel, soul-jazz, electric funk and R&B and no matter what label you give it, it was always about the down home soulful blues that you could feel within an instant toe-tap.

Sadly, McGriff passed away this past Saturday. He was 72 years old.

Blue Juice - Jimmy McGriff
McGriffin - Jimmy McGriff (w/ The Dream Team)
Dig On It - Jimmy McGriff
God Lives Through - A Tribe Called Quest