As a Hammond organ player, I’m always refining my sound — chasing something that feels personal, musical, and true to the classic tonewheel experience. With the latest Viscount Legend Soul update (v1.06) and Editor v1.03, I revisited my settings and ended up with a setup I feel really comfortable with.
As a Hammond organist, I often get asked about bass lines—especially the ones I lean on when comping a jazz blues. Over the years, I’ve gravitated toward a few go-to patterns, particularly when working with students who are exploring the blues for the first time. In this post, I’ll share
In this tutorial, we’re going to explore a simple but powerful repeatable pattern for a blues in F, using the F minor pentatonic scale. This is one of those tools that you can easily adapt to different keys and use in your own improvisations and solos. Why Use Repeatable Patterns?
Larry Young (Jazz Organist) The Innovator of Modal Jazz Organ Early Life & Background Larry Young (October 7, 1940 – March 30, 1978) was an American jazz organist who revolutionized the use of the Hammond B-3 in jazz. Born in Newark, New Jersey, Young began his career playing in soul-jazz
Dr. Lonnie Smith (Jazz Organist) The Doctor of Groove & Psychedelic Jazz Organ Early Life & Background Lonnie Smith (July 3, 1942 – September 28, 2021) was an American jazz organist known for his deep grooves, adventurous improvisation, and signature turbaned look. Born in Lackawanna, New York, Smith was drawn
My Go-To Drawbar Settings for That Jimmy Smith Hammond Sound The sound of the Hammond organ is shaped by many factors, but drawbar settings are one of the most important. In this guide, I’ll walk you through my go-to settings, inspired by the legendary Jimmy Smith—a true master of the
Master of Blues & Funk on the Hammond B-3 Early Life & Background James Harrell McGriff (April 3, 1936 – May 24, 2008) was an American jazz and blues organist known for his deep groove, bluesy feel, and hard-driving sound. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, McGriff was deeply influenced by gospel
Jack McDuff (Jazz Organist) Master of Groove & Soul Jazz Early Life & Background Eugene McDuffy (September 17, 1926 – January 23, 2001), better known as Jack McDuff, was an American jazz organist whose soulful playing and deep grooves helped define the soul-jazz movement. Born in Champaign, Illinois, McDuff originally
The Godfather of Jazz Organ Early Life & Background James Oscar Smith (December 8, 1925 – February 8, 2005) was a pioneering American jazz organist who revolutionized the use of the Hammond B-3 organ in jazz. Born in Norristown, Pennsylvania, Smith started as a pianist before switching to the organ
