McGriff’s 1966 debut for Blue Note, 'The Big Band', showcases his signature Hammond B3 organ sound backed by a horn-heavy ensemble. The album captures McGriff in a swinging, energetic mode, highlighting his ability to merge hard-bop sensibilities with a distinct soul-jazz groove.
- The album was recorded at the legendary Van Gelder Studios in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, with Rudy Van Gelder engineering.
- 'The Big Band' features arrangements by Frank Foster, a renowned saxophonist and composer in his own right.
- This record marked McGriff’s transition to the Blue Note label, where he would release several more albums during the late 1960s.
Jimmy McGriff was a prominent jazz organist and composer, known for his soulful Hammond B3 sound that blended jazz with blues and R&B. By 1966, McGriff had already established himself as a significant figure in the soul-jazz scene, with a string of successful recordings for labels like Sue Records.
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