Freddie Roach

Who is Freddie Roach?

Freddie Roach is a soul jazz Hammond B3 organist born in the Bronx, New York. He was one of a handful of legendary jazz organists that made history in the 1960s, the golden era of the Hammond organ. Roach made his record debut in 1960 with saxophonist Ike Quebec on the albums Heavy Soul and It Might as Well Be Spring and played with Willis Jackson. From 1962-64 he recorded 5 albums as a leader for the Blue Note Records label and also recorded with Donald Byrd on the album I'm Tryin' to Get Home. His Blue Note album Mo' Greens Please is perhaps one of the greatest 10 jazz organ sides ever recorded. Roach's original writing, steady basslines, and highly musical fleet-fingered right hand set him apart. From 1966-67 he recorded three more albums as a leader for Prestige Records, which are in a more commercial vein than his Blue Note dates. Little seems to be known about where or when Roach died. He was also involved in theater, playwriting and film. Reportedly, he moved to California, for perhaps the film industry, where he suffered a heart attack and died. When this was, is not exactly known.

Roach is a soulful organist, certainly influenced by Jimmy Smith, but with a distinct sound and a quite original concept, which is perhaps best heard on "Good Move" for Blue Note. His Blue Note albums are critically acclaimed.