The Soul of the B-3
In a recent KA podcast, John Gros paid tribute to one of the greatest instruments ever to shape the music scene, the Hammond B-3. Together with its other-than-in-looks identical church cousin, the C-3, it has been a defining sound in jazz, gospel, blues, soul, funk, and rock since 1955. Usually paired with a rotating Leslie speaker, the B-3 emits a rich, organic sound that cannot be confused with anything else. So, without further ado, here are some of the performers that have crafted their approach to the B-3 into unique musical signatures:
Walter Wanderley — Summer Samba
Jimmy Smith — Organ Grinder’s Swing/Midnight Special
Booker T. & the M.G.’s — Hip Hug Her
Spencer Davis Group (Steve Winwood, Organ) — Gimme Some Lovin
Brian Auger & The Trinity — Black Cat
Santana (Gregg Rolie, Organ) — Oye Como Va
Jon Lord — Lazy
Billy Preston — Summertime
Dr. Lonnie Smith — Midnight Creeper
Twinkie Clark & Richard White — Accept What God Allows
Papa Grows Funk (John Gros, Organ) — Mafungo/Go!/John Brown
