James Harrell McGriff, known as Jimmy McGriff, was born on April 3, 1936, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and passed away on May 24, 2008, in Voorhees Township, New Jersey. He was a prominent American hard bop and soul-jazz organist and bandleader, particularly known for his mastery of the Hammond B-3 organ. McGriff's musical journey began at a young age; he started playing piano at five and later learned vibes, alto sax, drums, and upright bass. His early musical experiences included playing bass in a piano trio and accompanying various artists such as Don Gardner and Carmen McRae.

After serving as a military policeman during the Korean War, McGriff briefly worked as a police officer in Philadelphia. However, his passion for music, influenced by his childhood friend Jimmy Smith and organist Richard "Groove" Holmes, led him to pursue a career in music. He studied at New York's Juilliard School and privately with notable musicians like Milt Buckner.

In 1961, McGriff's trio recorded an instrumental version of Ray Charles' "I've Got a Woman," which gained substantial local airplay and led to a full album release by the Sue label in 1962. This album included the hit "All About My Girl," establishing McGriff as a leading blues-based organist. Throughout the 1960s, he recorded several popular albums, culminating in the acclaimed "Blues for Mister Jimmy."

McGriff's versatility allowed him to explore various styles, from blues and jazz to funk and pop. He recorded with the Solid State label and later with Groove Merchant, producing hits like "The Worm" and "Step One." Despite a brief retirement in 1972, McGriff continued to record and perform, adapting to changing musical trends and maintaining his status as a respected figure in the jazz and blues scenes.