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Celebrating 100 years (give or take) of jazz organist Jimmy Smith

By Kevin Whitehead
Published December 5, 2025 at 12:03 PM EST

Some books give Smith's birthdate as Dec. 8, 1925, but more recent sources cite 1928 as his birth year. Regardless, the late musician always delivered the goods, even as the beats behind him changed.

Copyright 2025 NPR
Kevin Whitehead
Kevin Whitehead is the jazz critic for NPR's Fresh Air with Terry Gross. Currently he reviews for The Audio Beat and Point of Departure.
See stories by Kevin Whitehead
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