Don Patterson

Don Patterson was one of the unsung heroes of the early generation of jazz organists, following the trail blazing Jimmy Smith.

 

Born in Columbus Ohio in 1936, Patterson originally played the piano, influenced by Erroll Garner.  When the Hammond B-3 organ gained prominence in the mid 1950's, Patterson switched to that instrument.

 

He worked in an organ-guitar-drums trio with Paul Weeden and Billy James, and he also performed frequently with Sonny Stitt.  As the 1960's moved on, Patterson signed with Prestige Records and had a significant impact.  His records included associations with many great saxophonists, as well as unencumbered organ dates.

 

Dogged by various health problems, in later years he laid low for a while, but by the 1980's settled in Philadelphia with a renewed career.  Unfortunately, he passed away in 1988 at the age of 51.

 

He incorporated the abilities to play the Hammond conventions with full throttled soul, but he also maintained a spare pianistic solo style and would play bebop, hard bop and beyond.

 

This retrospective tribute will feature the oeuvre of his great Hammond B-3 career, and we’ll play many great albums on the Prestige label and include his later works as well..

 

originally broadcast 2010

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