(hard bop, soul jazz) [CD] Don Patterson (with Eddie Daniels, Ted Dunbar, Freddie Waits) - The Genius Of The B-3 (aka The Return Of, Don Patterson) (1973) - 1991, FLAC (tracks), lossless

Steve Huey --
Inspired to switch from piano to organ by Jimmy Smith, Don Patterson was one of the Hammond B-3's most bop-rooted players, able to play bluesy soul-jazz grooves or break out of the pocket for some nimble, sharply defined solo lines. Though he led numerous recording dates for Prestige and later Muse, he was best-known as Sonny Stitt's favorite organist, proving eminently compatible with the Parker-influenced saxophonist. Patterson was born in Columbus, OH, on July 22, 1936, and began studying piano as a child. His first major influence was Erroll Garner, and some of that flavor remained in his playing even after he heard Jimmy Smith in 1956 and changed instruments. Patterson made his professional debut on the organ in 1959, and played with a number of groups before Stitt discovered him. The association helped make Patterson's name, and he began recording for Prestige in 1964, often with a trio featuring guitarist Pat Martino and drummer Billy James. Patterson also played with numerous other soul-jazz sax greats over the course of the '60s, before settling in Gary, IN, toward the end of the decade. Drug addiction curtailed his recording activities somewhat, as only a few sporadic sessions for Muse appeared during the '70s. He did revive his career somewhat after moving to Philadelphia, but his health worsened, forcing him to take dialysis frequently; he died on February 10, 1988.

Later work by Don Patterson – one of the best, and most free-swinging of the 60s soul jazz organists – recorded here in the early 70's, with the same tight organ jazz feel as his records for Prestige! Eddie Daniels plays tenor, alto, and soprano on the album — and the rest of the group includes Ted Dunbar on guitar, and the great Freddie Waits on drums. The quartet plays nice long takes of some groovy contemporary tunes, like "Theme from The Odd Couple" and "Theme from Love Story", both of which come across amazingly well — plus the original tune "Jesse Jackson", and a version of Jimmy Garrison's "Lori".

Don Patterson - organ
Eddie Daniels - tenor saxophone, alto saxophone & soprano saxophone
Ted Dunbar - guitar
Freddie Waits - drums
Recorded at RCA Studio, New York City; October 30, 1972