Johnny "Hammond" Smith

Lifespan:: December 16, 1933 - June 4, 1997, he died aged 63 and was American.
Names:: Birthname: John Robert Smith. Also released as: Johnny Hammond.
One Liner:: jazz organist, pianist, arranger, composer
Snapshot:: An Artist with 27 releases under 2 pseudonyms, and credited 6 times on others' music. 4 collaborations.

Johnny "Hammond" Smith (born John Robert Smith), also known since 1971 as Johnny Hammond, was an American soul jazz and hard bop organist born in Louisville, Kentucky on December 16, 1933 and who died in Chicago on June 4, 1997. Smith was a renowned player of the Hammond B-3 organ, thus earning "Hammond" as a nickname.

One of his bands featured Etta Jones and Houston Person. 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 1989.

In 1974, he decided to drop "Smith" from his name, referring to himself as "Johnny Hammond." His style became increasingly funky, culminating in two popular albums with the Mizell Brothers, "Gambler's Life" (1974) and "Gears" (1975). He also began using electric and acoustic pianos, in addition to his signature instrument.

Smith recorded a series of albums on the well-regarded CTI Records (Creed Taylor) jazz record label. 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. Smith also taught at the Cal Poly Pomona music department for several years, beginning in January 1987.

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