Bobby Timmons

Biography

A pianist and composer who was a primary architect of the soul-jazz style. Timmons's earthy, gospel-infused playing and gift for catchy, blues-based melodies defined the sound of the bands he was in. During his tenures with Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers and the Cannonball Adderley Quintet, he composed a trio of hard bop's most iconic and enduring anthems: 'Moanin'', 'Dat Dere,' and 'This Here,' which brought a funky, church-like feeling to mainstream jazz.