With its warm, electrifying tones and unmistakable presence, the Hammond organ has become more than just an instrument—it’s a cornerstone of musical expression. From smoky jazz clubs to soulful gospel choirs and roaring rock stages, Hammond has shaped entire genres, creating a sound that has echoed through the decades. But behind the keys, it’s the legendary players who transformed this organ into a medium of innovation and soul.

If the deep, rich hum of the Hammond organ has ever captivated you, this guide will introduce you to the masters who gave it a voice. Let’s explore the creativity, genius, and enduring legacy of the musicians who didn’t just play the Hammond—they revolutionized it.

List of Hammond Organ Players

1: Jimmy Smith

Date of Birth: December 8, 1928, Norristown, Pennsylvania, U.S

Date of Death: February 8, 2005, Scottsdale, Arizona, U.S.

Famous Recordings:

• The Sermon!
• House Party
• Back at the Chicken Shack

Accolades:

• NEA Jazz Masters Award (2005)

Jimmy Smith was one of the greatest jazz Hammond Organ players, known for popularizing the Hammond B-3 in the 1950s and ’60s. Specializing in hard bop, soul jazz, and jazz-funk, Smith’s playing blended jazz, blues, and gospel, characterized by fast runs and a rich, full sound. He rose to fame with his album The Champ and became a prolific recording artist with over 40 sessions for Blue Note Records. Smith often performed in trios and collaborated with musicians like Wes Montgomery and Quincy Jones.

2: Keith Emerson

Date of Birth: November 2, 1944, Todmorden, West Riding of Yorkshire, England

Date of Death: March 11, 2016, Santa Monica, California, U.S.

Famous Recordings:

• Lucky Man
• Tarkus

Accolades:

• Achieved first place in two categories i.e. “Overall Best Keyboardist” and “Best Multi-Keyboardist” (1980)
• Frankfurt Music Prize (2010)
• Lifetime Achievement Award in the Arts and Humanities (2013)
• Hammond Hall of Fame (2014)

Keith Emerson was an iconic Hammond organ player who cemented his name as the best keyboardist for Emerson, Lake & Palmer (a progressive rock band). Deeply influenced by classical music, Emerson frequently blended it with rock to create a distinctive sound. His innovative use of the Hammond organ, particularly in tracks like “Lucky Man” and “Tarkus”, helped define the sound of 1970s progressive rock. Known for his flamboyant stage presence, Emerson often incorporated dramatic performances, including flipping the organ and stabbing the keys with knives.

3: Jon Lord

Date of Birth: June 9, 1941, Leicester, England

Date of Death: July 16, 2012, London, England

Famous Recording:

• Child in Time
• Speed King
• Highway Stars
• Pictures of Home
• Lazy

Accolades:

• Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (2016)
• Ivor Novello Award (2019)
• Receiver of Honorary Doctor of Music Degree

Jon Lord studied classical piano and was deeply influenced by composers like Johann Sebastian Bach and Edward Elgar, who shaped his signature style to fuse classical and rock elements. In 1968, Lord co-founded the legendary rock band Deep Purple with Ritchie Blackmore, gaining prominence for his groundbreaking use of the Hammond organ. His heavy, distinct sound played a pivotal role in defining the early years of hard rock and heavy metal.

Lord’s unique style combined classical, baroque, jazz, and blues influences, and his pairing the Hammond organ with the Leslie speaker became his trademark. Drawing inspiration from jazz organists like Jimmy Smith and rock icons like Jerry Lee Lewis, Lord developed an experimental sound that made him a key figure in rock’s fusion with classical music.

4: Gregg Allman

Date of Birth: December 8, 1947, Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.

Date of Death: May 27, 2017, Richmond Hill, Georgia, U.S.

Famous Recording:

• At Fillmore East
• Laid Back
• Low Country Blues

Accolades:

• Grammy Award
• Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
• Georgia Music Hall of Fame
• Voice was ranked 70th in Rolling Stone’s list of “100 Greatest Singers of All Time.”

Gregg Allman was an American songwriter, musician, and singer best known for his role in the Allman Brothers Band. He played the Hammond organ and guitar, blending rock, blues, jazz, and country into his music. Allman’s soulful voice made him one of the most renowned singers of his era, while his Hammond organ playing contributed significantly to the band’s signature sound.

Allman developed a distinctive style rooted in the blues but infused with jazz elements, eventually becoming a pioneer of Southern rock.

5: Billy Preston

Date of Birth: September 2, 1946, Houston, Texas, U.S.

Date of Death: June 6, 2006, Scottsdale, Arizona, U.S.

Famous Recording:

• That’s the Way God Planned It
• Outa-Space
• Isn’t it a Pity?
• I Want Love
• The Wasteland
• You Dream Flat Tires

Accolades:

• Grammy Award
• Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Billy Preston was a legendary American keyboardist, singer, and songwriter known for his incredible versatility across genres like R&B, rock, soul, funk, and gospel. Rising to fame as a session keyboardist in the 1960s, Preston played for iconic artists such as Little Richard, Sam Cooke, Ray Charles, The Beatles, and The Rolling Stones. Recognized as the master of the Hammond organ, his distinctive sound defined his solo career and high-profile collaborations.

By his teens, Preston was already backing stars like Nat King Cole and Little Richard. In 1969, he gained international fame for his work with The Beatles, even being credited on their hit single “Get Back.” Preston also performed at legendary events, including the Concert for Bangladesh in 1971 and the 2002 Concert for George, as well as at notable venues like the Royal Albert Hall.

6: Lonnie Smith

Date of Birth: July 3, 1942, Lackawanna, New York, U.S.

Date of Death: September 28, 2021, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S.

Famous Recordings:

• Alligator Bogaloo
• Think!
• Move Your Hand

Accolades:

• Nine Jazz Journalists Association awards for best organist

Lonnie Smith, known as Dr. Lonnie Smith, was a renowned jazz Hammond B3 organist with a distinctive style blending jazz, R&B, soul, and funk. He developed an early love for music, influenced by his mother. His career took off in the 1960s as a member of the George Benson Quartet. Smith later established himself as a solo artist, recording over 30 albums. His collaboration with jazz legends like Lou Donaldson and Lee Morgan further elevated his career.

7: Ethel Smith

Date of Birth: November 22, 1902, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S

Date of Death: May 10, 1996, Palm Beach, Florida, U.S.

Famous Recording:

• Melody Time
• Tico Tico
• Down Yonder

Accolades:

• Earned the title ‘First Lady of the Hammond Organ’

Ethel Smith was an American Hammond organist who made marks on the list of Hammond organ players for her lively performances in Latin and pop styles. Her musical career began at a very young age.

She played Hammond organ for the very first time at the end of a spontaneous 28-week Schubert show tour, which made her gain fame immediately.

Smith gained significant recognition with her hit “Tico Tico,” which appeared in the movie Bathing Beauty. It reached #14 on the U.S. pop charts and sold nearly two million copies worldwide. Her 1951 song “Down Yonder” also achieved notable success, reaching #16 on the charts.

Renowned for her colorful outfits and hats, Smith became a prominent figure in the music and entertainment world. She performed at iconic venues such as the St. Regis Hotel in New York and Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana Club.

8: Jimmy McGriff

Date of Birth: April 3, 1936, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.

Date of Death: May 24, 2008, Voorhees Township, New Jersey, U.S.

Famous Recordings:

• All About My Girl
• I’ve Got a Woman
• Stump Juice
• The Dream Team
• McGriff Avenue

Jimmy McGriff was a renowned Hammond organist known for a blend of hard bop and soul-jazz styles. Originally trained as a pianist, McGriff shifted his focus to the Hammond B-3 organ after being inspired by Richard Arnold “Groove” Holmes. Following his military service, he began dedicating himself to the Hammond organ, eventually releasing 57 singles, 63 albums, and 37 compilations.

McGriff performed at famous venues across the U.S., including New York’s St. Regis Hotel, and established his supper club, The Golden Slipper, in Newark. His albums highlighted his versatility and flair for funk-infused jazz, cementing his legacy as a key figure in the genre.