Johnny Hammond

Johnny Hammond Smith serves as an organist, employing the quoted middle name to differentiate himself from the better-known record producer, executive, and critic who shares the name, along with that figure’s son. Specializing in soul-jazz, he enjoyed a short period of prominence via the 1970s release Breakout, whose cover of “It’s Too Late” performed with Grover Washington, Jr. and Hank Crawford became a major East Coast radio success. Hammond plays with reliable skill and occasional funk.