Artist page · 04/07/2026

Jimmy Smith

NorristownBorn in 1925Blues19 vinyl albums
Jimmy Smith, born in Norristown, Pennsylvania in 1925, revolutionized jazz with his electrifying Hammond B-3 organ sound, blending hard bop, soul jazz, and blues.
Explore the discography The 3 must-haves
19Albums on Vinyles.com
3013Discogs releases
440kLast.fm listeners

About

More than 20 albums across jazz and blues with originals & reissues tracked in real time for pricing and rarity.

Jimmy Smith was an American jazz organist whose playing style fused gospel, blues, and hard bop influences. His instrument of choice was the Hammond B-3 organ, which he helped popularize in jazz starting in the 1950s. Smith's discography spans over 20 vinyl albums, mostly released in the 1950s and 1960s on major labels such as Blue Note, Verve, and Jazz Images.

Throughout his career, he contributed to the evolution of soul jazz and funk while leaving a legacy captured in numerous studio and live recordings. His vinyl releases, including many original pressings, remain sought after by collectors, with a variety of editions from the US, UK, France, and New Zealand.

Discography

Jimmy Smith discography

Studio albums, EPs and notable live records, from newest to oldest. Drag the timeline to browse.

BucketBlue Note · 1966
1966
Bucket
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Studio
Peter And The WolfVerve Records · 1966
1966
Peter And The Wolf
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Studio
Softly As A Summer BreezeBlue Note · 1965
1965
Softly As A Summer Breeze
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Studio
Organ Grinder SwingVerve Records · 1965
1965
Organ Grinder Swing
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Studio
La Métamorphose Des Cloportes (Bande Originale Du Film)Verve Records · 1965
1965
La Métamorphose Des Cloportes (Bande Originale Du Film)
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
Live At The Village GateMetro Records · 1965
1965
Live At The Village Gate
Vinyl, LP, Mono, Album
Live
Live In Concert - The Incredible Jimmy SmithMetro Records · 1965
1965
Live In Concert - The Incredible Jimmy Smith
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Live
MonsterVerve Records · 1965
1965
Monster
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Studio
Christmas '64Verve Records · 1964
1964
Christmas '64
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Studio
The CatVerve Records · 1964
1964
The Cat
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Studio
Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf?Verve Records · 1964
1964
Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf?
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Studio
Prayer Meetin'Blue Note · 1964
1964
Prayer Meetin'
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Studio
Rockin' The BoatBlue Note · 1963
1963
Rockin' The Boat
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Studio
Any Number Can WinVerve Records · 1963
1963
Any Number Can Win
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Studio
Blue Bash!Verve Records · 1963
1963
Blue Bash!
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Studio
Hobo FlatsVerve Records · 1963
1963
Hobo Flats
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Studio
Back At The Chicken ShackBlue Note · 1963
1963
Back At The Chicken Shack
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Studio
Bashin'Verve Records · 1962
1962
Bashin'
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Studio
Plays Fats WallerBlue Note · 1962
1962
Plays Fats Waller
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Studio
Midnight SpecialBlue Note · 1961
1961
Midnight Special
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Studio
Home Cookin'Blue Note · 1961
1961
Home Cookin'
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Studio
Crazy! BabyBlue Note · 1960
1960
Crazy! Baby
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Studio
The Sermon!Blue Note · 1959
1959
The Sermon!
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Studio
House PartyBlue Note · 1958
1958
House Party
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Studio
Groovin' At Smalls' Paradise (Volume 1)Blue Note · 1958
1958
Groovin' At Smalls' Paradise (Volume 1)
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Studio
A Date With Jimmy Smith (Volume One)Blue Note · 1958
1958
A Date With Jimmy Smith (Volume One)
Vinyl, LP, Album, Repress, Mono
Studio
Groovin' At Smalls' Paradise (Volume 2)Blue Note · 1958
1958
Groovin' At Smalls' Paradise (Volume 2)
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Studio
At Club Blue Note · 1957
1957
At Club "Baby Grand" Wilmington, Delaware, Volume 1
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Studio
A Date With Jimmy Smith, Vol. 2Blue Note · 1957
1957
A Date With Jimmy Smith, Vol. 2
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Studio
Jimmy Smith At The Organ, Volume 1Blue Note · 1957
1957
Jimmy Smith At The Organ, Volume 1
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Studio
Plays Pretty Just For YouBlue Note · 1957
1957
Plays Pretty Just For You
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Studio
The Sounds Of Jimmy SmithBlue Note · 1957
1957
The Sounds Of Jimmy Smith
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Studio
At Club Blue Note · 1957
1957
At Club "Baby Grand" Wilmington, Delaware, Volume 2
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Studio
Jimmy Smith At The Organ (Volume 2)Blue Note · 1957
1957
Jimmy Smith At The Organ (Volume 2)
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Studio
A New Star - A New Sound (Volume 2)Blue Note · 1956
1956
A New Star - A New Sound (Volume 2)
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Studio
At The Organ, Volume 3Blue Note · 1956
1956
At The Organ, Volume 3
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Studio
A New Star - A New Sound, Vol. 1Blue Note · 1956
1956
A New Star - A New Sound, Vol. 1
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Studio
Jazz OrganGuest Star ·
Jazz Organ
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Studio
Don Gardner Trio Featuring Jimmy SmithGuest Star ·
Don Gardner Trio Featuring Jimmy Smith
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Studio
Dot Com BluesBlue Thumb Records ·
Dot Com Blues
CD, Album, Reissue
Studio
Studio album Live / EP

Playlist

Signature tracks

The tracks that sum up Jimmy Smith's career.

01
Back at the Chicken Shack
Back at the Chicken Shack
Back At The Chicken Shack · 1963
02
The Cat
·
03
Baby, It's Cold Outside
·
04
Midnight Special - Rudy Van Gelder Digital Remaster/2007
·
05
Walk On The Wild Side
Walk On The Wild Side
Bashin' · 1962
06
When I Grow Too Old to Dream
When I Grow Too Old to Dream
Back At The Chicken Shack · 1963
07
Jingle Bells
·
08
Minor Chant
Minor Chant
Back At The Chicken Shack · 1963

The essentials

The 3 Jimmy Smith albums you absolutely need

Our pick, validated by the editorial team.

#1 · 1963
LP, Album, Mono
Back At The Chicken Shack

A quintessential hard bop album featuring 4 tracks, it showcases Smith's bluesy organ style on Blue Note label; original 1963 US pressings command respect.

4 tracksMonoBlue NoteOriginal 1963 US pressing
Discover the album
#2 · 1965
LP, Album, Mono
Organ Grinder Swing

This 6-track album highlights Smith’s mastery of the Hammond B-3, with popular tracks like “The Organ Grinder's Swing” and “Greensleeves”. Original US 1965 pressings are tracked.

6 tracksMonoVerve RecordsOriginal 1965 US pressing
Discover the album
#3 · 1964
LP, Album, Stereo
The Cat

Featuring 8 soul-jazz and hard bop tracks themed around films, this stereo Verve album includes the hit title track from 1964 with French original pressings notable for collectors.

8 tracksStereoVerve RecordsOriginal 1964 French pressing
Discover the album

Go further

Artists similar to Jimmy Smith

Artists who share part of Jimmy Smith's musical DNA.

Stanley Turrentine
Stanley Turrentine
Lou Donaldson
Kenny Burrell
Kenny Burrell
Grant Green
Grant Green
Lee Morgan
Lee Morgan
Hank Mobley
Hank Mobley
Jimmy McGriff
Lonnie Smith

Face B

Side B: the hidden stories of Jimmy Smith

Studio secrets, touring anecdotes and B-sides worth the whole album.

His instrument of predilection was the electric Hammond B-3 organ.
— Jimmy Smith
01Release

Original 1963 US pressing of Back At The Chicken Shack

Jimmy Smith’s album Back At The Chicken Shack was released in 1963 on Blue Note Records as a mono LP, catalog number BLP 4117. Original pressings in the US are tracked at prices from around €6.07 to €16.53 with more than 40 copies currently for sale worldwide.

1963US
02Release

Organ Grinder Swing 1965 Mono original pressing on Verve

Organ Grinder Swing was released in 1965 as a mono LP on Verve Records with catalog numbers V-8628, V/8628 in the US. Price tracking shows a range from €4.34 to €13.04 for original pressings with around 24 copies offered for sale globally.

1965US
03Release

The Cat 1964 French original stereo pressing

The Cat vinyl album appeared in 1964 with an original French pressing on Verve Records, catalog numbers V-6 8587, V6-8 587, V-8 587. This stereo LP commands prices up to €19, making it a significant collector’s item.

1964France
04Genre Influence

Mixing gospel and blues into jazz

Jimmy Smith's playing style was deeply rooted in gospel and blues influences, which he successfully melded with jazz, helping to pave the way for funk and soul jazz movements in the 1960s and 70s.

1960sUS

Records by Jimmy Smith

See all
Organ Grinder Swing - Front Cover Organ Grinder Swing - Back Cover

Organ Grinder Swing

Jimmy Smith
Swing Jazz/Blues
UNIVERSAL MUSIC
From $39.99 2 offers
Bashin' - The Unpredictable Jimmy Smith - Front Cover Bashin' - The Unpredictable Jimmy Smith - Back Cover

Bashin' - The Unpredictable Jimmy Smith

Jimmy Smith
Free Jazz Jazz/Blues
UNIVERSAL MUSIC
From $30.00 2 offers
House Party - Front Cover House Party - Back Cover

House Party

Jimmy Smith
Contemporary Jazz / Cool Jazz/Blues
BLUE NOTE
From $29.05 2 offers
Jimmy And Wes (The Dynamic Duo) - Front Cover Jimmy And Wes (The Dynamic Duo) - Back Cover

Jimmy And Wes (The Dynamic Duo)

Jimmy Smith
Contemporary Jazz / Cool Jazz/Blues
VERVE
From $29.99 1 offer
Back At The Chicken Shack - Front Cover

Back At The Chicken Shack

Jimmy Smith
Jazz / Blues Compilations Compilations
BLUE NOTE
From $29.99 1 offer
Smith Jimmy / Confirmation - Front Cover

Smith Jimmy / Confirmation

Jimmy Smith
Contemporary Jazz / Cool Jazz/Blues
Intermusic
From $22.26 1 offer
Root Down Jimmy Smith Live! - Front Cover

Root Down Jimmy Smith Live!

Jimmy Smith
Contemporary Jazz / Cool Jazz/Blues
Verve
From $35.00 1 offer
The Cat - Front Cover

The Cat

Jimmy Smith
Contemporary Jazz / Cool Jazz/Blues
Verve
From $36.44 2 offers
Home Cookin' - Front Cover

Home Cookin'

Jimmy Smith
Jazz / Blues Compilations Compilations
BLUE NOTE
From $20.00 1 offer
Image manquante

Groovin' At Smalls Paradise

Jimmy Smith
Jazz / Blues Compilations Compilations
BLUE NOTE
From $21.61 2 offers
Midnight Special - Front Cover

Midnight Special

Jimmy Smith
Contemporary Jazz / Cool Jazz/Blues
BLUE NOTE
From $27.99 2 offers
GROOVIN AT SMALLS PARADISE/GATEFOLD - Front Cover

GROOVIN AT SMALLS PARADISE/Gatefold

Jimmy Smith
Jazz / Blues Compilations Compilations
Jazz Images
From $31.40 1 offer
BASHIN - Front Cover

BASHIN

Jimmy Smith
Contemporary Jazz / Cool Jazz/Blues
Jazz Images
From $21.82 1 offer
SERMON! + 2 - Front Cover

SERMON! + 2

Jimmy Smith
Contemporary Jazz / Cool Jazz/Blues
VINYL PASSION
View details
MIDNIGHT SPECIAL - Front Cover

MIDNIGHT SPECIAL

Jimmy Smith
Contemporary Jazz / Cool Jazz/Blues
Jazz Images
From $34.16 1 offer
BUCKET/SMITH - Front Cover

BUCKET/SMITH

Jimmy Smith
Vocal jazz Jazz/Blues
Blue Note
View details
Paid In Full - Front Cover

Paid In Full

Jimmy Smith
Jazz / Blues Compilations Compilations
SCORPION
View details
I'm Goin' Git Myself Together - Front Cover

I'm Goin' Git Myself Together

Jimmy Smith
Jazz / Blues Compilations Compilations
SCORPIO
View details
The Black Smith - Front Cover

The Black Smith

Jimmy Smith
Jazz / Blues Compilations Compilations
SCORPIO
View details
Image manquante

PAID IN FULL

Jimmy Smith
Blues Jazz/Blues
SCORPIO
View details
Image manquante

I'M GOIN' GIT MYSELF TOGETHER

Jimmy Smith
Blues Jazz/Blues
SCORPIO
View details
Image manquante

THE BLACK SMITH

Jimmy Smith
Blues Jazz/Blues
SCORPIO
View details
Image manquante

75

Jimmy Smith
Blues Jazz/Blues
SCORPIO
View details

Recommended accessories

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All accessories

FAQ

FAQ

The most common questions about pressings, reissues and limited editions.

Who was Jimmy Smith and what instrument did he play?

Jimmy Smith was an American jazz musician known for his pioneering work on the electric Hammond B-3 organ.

What are some essential vinyl albums by Jimmy Smith?

Essential albums include Back At The Chicken Shack (1963), Organ Grinder Swing (1965), and The Cat (1964), available in various pressings and formats.

What style of jazz is Jimmy Smith associated with?

He is best known for hard bop, soul jazz, and blues-inflected jazz styles that influenced funk and other genres.

Where was Jimmy Smith born and when did he pass away?

Jimmy Smith was born in Norristown, Pennsylvania in 1925 and died in 2005 in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Are Jimmy Smith vinyl pressings valuable in France?

French original pressings of albums like The Cat from 1964 are noteworthy collector items, with prices reaching up to €19.

Can Jimmy Smith records be found on Blue Note and Verve labels?

Yes, many of his key albums were released on Blue Note and Verve, including Back At The Chicken Shack and Organ Grinder Swing.

What should vinyl collectors look for when buying Jimmy Smith records?

Collectors often seek original US pressings on Blue Note or Verve, mono versions from the 1960s tend to command higher prices and greater rarity.

Which cities are significant for Jimmy Smith's vinyl releases?

Original pressings were primarily released in major markets including the US, UK, France, and New Zealand.

Transparency

Sources & method

This page is compiled by the vinyles.com editorial team from public sources and our marketplace.

  • WP
    Wikipedia
    Encyclopaedic data and biography
    ↗
  • MB
    MusicBrainz
    Artist metadata, dates, type
    ↗
  • DG
    Discogs
    Discography, pressings and market prices
    ↗
  • LF
    Last.fm
    Listeners, plays, similar artists
    ↗
  • VC
    Vinyles.com
    In-house catalog, prices and availability
    ↗

Our method

  1. Discographic data from MusicBrainz (dates, countries, activity period).
  2. Tracklists, artwork and genres retrieved via Discogs Masters.
  3. Values (low / median / high) and stock from the Discogs Marketplace.
  4. Audience and similar artists via Last.fm.
  5. Page updated automatically and reviewed by the editorial team.
Last updated: 04/07/2026