Hank Crawford & Jimmy McGriff

Biography

Hank Crawford, born Bennie Ross Crawford Jr. on December 21 or 24, 1934, in Memphis, Tennessee, began his musical journey studying piano at age nine for his church choir before switching to alto saxophone in high school. Influenced by Charlie Parker, Louis Jordan, Earl Bostic, and Johnny Hodges, he gained early professional experience with artists like B.B. King, Ike Turner, and Bobby 'Blue' Bland. His breakthrough came in 1958 when Ray Charles hired him for baritone sax, later switching him to alto and appointing him musical director in 1961, shaping his R&B, hard bop, jazz-funk, and soul jazz style. Jimmy McGriff, born James Harrell McGriff Jr. on April 3, 1936, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, started on drums at eight, mastering bass, alto sax, and vibes before high school graduation. Working as a Philadelphia police officer, he self-taught Hammond B3 organ in 1956, studied at Juilliard, and launched a successful career with hits like his instrumental 'I've Got a Woman.'

The duo 'Hank Crawford & Jimmy McGriff' formed a celebrated partnership starting in 1985 at New York's Lone Star Cafe benefit, though paths crossed earlier in the 1960s. From 1986, they released multiple co-led albums blending blues-jazz and soul: Soul Survivors (1986), Steppin' Up (1987), On the Blue Side (1989), Right Turn on Blue (1994), Blues Groove (1995), Road Tested (1997), and Crunch Time (1999) across Milestone and Telarc labels. Crawford continued solo work with Milestone, arranging for small bands, while McGriff maintained a prolific career until their deaths—Crawford in Memphis on January 29, 2009, and McGriff in Philadelphia on May 24, 2008.

Their collaboration highlighted masterful alto sax-organ interplay, earning popularity in jazz circles with Milestone's 2001 compilation The Best Of Hank Crawford & Jimmy McGriff, featuring guests like George Benson and Billy Preston. Renowned for soulful, blues-infused grooves, they left a legacy as organ-sax tandem icons, bridging R&B roots with jazz innovation.

Fun Facts

• Hank Crawford and Jimmy McGriff's first joint performance was in 1985 at New York's Lone Star Cafe during a benefit for a musician friend, sparking their instant rapport despite paths crossing since the 1960s.
• Jimmy McGriff bought a Hammond B3 organ in 1956 and taught himself while working as a Philadelphia police officer, supplementing income with bass gigs before quitting to study at Juilliard.
• Their 2001 compilation 'The Best Of Hank Crawford & Jimmy McGriff' features varying personnel across tracks, including Billy Preston on piano and George Benson on guitar.
• McGriff's first hit was an instrumental version of Ray Charles' 'I've Got a Woman,' linking him musically to Crawford's former employer.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Charlie Parker - early stylistic influence on Crawford's alto sax (general development) [teen years]
• Louis Jordan - early influence on Crawford (general development) [teen years]
• Earl Bostic - early influence on Crawford (general development) [teen years]
• Johnny Hodges - early influence on Crawford (general development) [teen years]
• Benny Golson - early inspiration for McGriff (general development) [childhood]

Key Collaborators

• Ray Charles - band member and musical director for Crawford (Ray Charles big band) [1958-1960s]
• George Benson - guest guitarist on joint albums (The Best Of Hank Crawford & Jimmy McGriff (tracks 1-2)) [1980s-2000s]
• Billy Preston - guest pianist on joint compilation (The Best Of Hank Crawford & Jimmy McGriff (tracks 5,12))
• Melvin Sparks - guitarist in Crawford's small bands (Milestone arrangements) [1983 onward]
• Dr. John - collaborator in Crawford's small bands (Milestone arrangements) [1983 onward]

Artists Influenced

• Unnamed jazz musician - personal and musical influence per tribute (general career) [lifetime]

External Links

• Spotify