Album: Peter & The Wolf by Jimmy Smith (1990)
Genre: Jazz | Mood: Happy
Record Label: Verve
Format: Album

Description: Peter & the Wolf is a 1966 studio album by Jimmy Smith, with Oliver Nelson's big band. It's based on Sergei Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf.
Of all of organist Jimmy Smith's big-band albums recorded for Verve, this is one of the most imaginative ones. Oliver Nelson arranged a variety of themes from Prokofiev's Peter & the Wolf into a swinging suite featuring the great organist Jimmy Smith. Although there is no verbal narrative on this LP, Nelson's liner notes tell the story (which can actually be followed through the music) and Smith pays respect to the original melodies while making strong statements of his own. A classic of its kind.

Artist Background: Jimmy Smith ignited a jazz revolution on an instrument associated at the time with ballparks, despite never playing one until the age of 28. His legendary multi-part technique on the Hammond B-3 organ, playing bass with the foot pedals and Charlie Parker-like single-line passages with his right hand, shook up the traditional trio as co-players could explore new roles. Yet, while the consensus is Smith's playing is a jazz landmark, his recordings fall short of such acclaim. Not a single album ... Part of the Pennsylvania, USA music scene. Associated with Jazz movement.

Music Scene: Part of the Pennsylvania, USA music scene. Associated with Jazz movement.

Tags: Jazz, Happy, 1990s, Album, Verve

Additional Context: Available on Discogs marketplace


Peter & the Wolf is a 1966 studio album by Jimmy Smith, with Oliver Nelson's big band. It's based on Sergei Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf.
Of all of organist Jimmy Smith's big-band albums recorded for Verve, this is one of the most imaginative ones. Oliver Nelson arranged a variety of themes from Prokofiev's Peter & the Wolf into a swinging suite featuring the great organist Jimmy Smith. Although there is no verbal narrative on this LP, Nelson's liner notes tell the story (which can actually be followed through the music) and Smith pays respect to the original melodies while making strong statements of his own. A classic of its kind.

Peter & The Wolf

Jimmy Smith

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