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Herman Riley
Herman Riley, Jr. was born in New Orleans, and began to study music while still in grammar school. He majored in music in high school, and went on to Southern University to further his education. His primary instrument was the tenor sax, but Herman became proficient on many more, including the oboe and English horn. While in college, he was drafted into the U.S. Army. After his discharge he continued on with his musical career, moving to Los Angeles in 1964. He became a much sought-after studio musician, and played on many TV shows and movie soundtracks during his long career. Herman toured Japan with Quincy Jones and played many festivals all over the globe, including the Monterey, Idyllwild, Concord, and New Orleans Heritage Jazz Festivals here at home. The list of musicians and singers with whom he shared the spotlight is long and varied - Shelly Manne, Jimmy & Jeannie Cheatham, Dolo Coker, Bobby Bryant, Benny Carter, Count Basie, Louie Bellson, Ray Charles, Lionel Hampton, Joe Williams, Phil Upchurch, Duke Pearson, Diana Ross & the Supremes, Ray Brown, Nancy Sinatra, Roy Milton, The Temptations and many more. During the last two decades of his life, he played all over the world and recorded with Jimmy Smith. He was a very modest, unassuming and warmhearted man - an excellent technician on his instruments who did not receive the recognition he so deserved.
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Jimmy Smith: Dot Com Blues
by Chris M. Slawecki
He's known as one of the founding jazz fathers of Hammond B-3 organ funk, but Jimmy Smith has always played the blues. Born in December 1928 in a suburb west of Philadelphia, Smith has been performing since he was 12, at that time in a song and dance act with his father. After a stint in the navy, Smith took advantage of the GI Bill to study bass, piano and music theory upon his service discharge. During this period Smith ...
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