Jimmy Smith

American jazz keyboardist, born 8 December 1928 in Norristown, Philadelphia, USA, died 8 February 2005 in Scottsdale, Arizona, USA (aged 76). He was married to Lola Smith. Best known as a jazz musician who performed on the Hammond B-3 electric organ, which helped to popularize the instrument greatly. In 2005, Smith was awarded the NEA Jazz Masters Award from the National Endowment for the Arts, the highest honour that a US jazz musician can attain. For the Sun (9) session pianist, see Jimmy Smith (56). For the country and rockabilly guitarist, see Jimmy Smith.