The Sermon

by Jimmy Smith

The Sermon cover art
  • Type: Album
  • Released: 1959
  • Label: Blue Note
  • Country: United States
  • Length: 40:09
  • Community rating: 4.1/5 from 5 ratings

Album Notes & Community Reviews

This iconic album became the gold standard for soulful organ jazz. The 20-minute title track is a slow-burning blues sermon that is drenched in gospel and blues, creating a hypnotic, church-like atmosphere.

Genres

Descriptors: soulful, bluesy, improvisation, powerful, rhythmic

Tracklist

  1. The Sermon (20:12)
  2. J.O.S. (11:56)
  3. Flamingo (8:01)

Credits

  • Jimmy Smith - primary artist, organ, written-by
  • George Coleman - alto saxophone
  • Lou Donaldson - alto saxophone
  • Reid Miles - design [cover]
  • Art Blakey - drums
  • Donald Bailey - drums
  • Eddie McFadden - guitar
  • Kenny Burrell - guitar
  • Rudy Van Gelder - lacquer cut by, recorded by
  • Ira Gitler - liner notes
  • Francis Wolff - photography by
  • Alfred Lion - producer
  • Tina Brooks - tenor saxophone
  • Lee Morgan - trumpet
  • Edmund Anderson - written-by
  • Theodor Grouya - written-by

More from Jimmy Smith: full discography