Roosevelt "Baby Face" Willette was a soul-jazz and hard bop organist known for his rich contributions to the Hammond organ sound of the 1960s. With a musical career that may not have been extensively documented but was deeply felt, Willette brought a gospel-tinged virtuosity to the jazz organ, standing out in an era that was thick with competition from other keyboard maestros. His distinct style blended the sacred fervor of church music with the secular swing of jazz, embodying the crossover appeal that the genre was gaining at the time.

Born on September 11, 1933, in Little Rock, Arkansas, Willette’s professional music career began in earnest in the late 1950s. His most celebrated work came after he moved to Chicago and became associated with the Blue Note and Argo labels. Among his most significant contributions were classic sessions with the likes of Grant Green and Lou Donaldson. Albums like "Face to Face" and "Stop and Listen" exemplify his mastery of the Hammond B-3, showcasing his dexterity and deeply soulful playing. Though his active recording period was brief, latter-day reissues and remasters, such as "Face to Face (Remastered)" and "Stop And Listen (Remastered)", ensure Willette’s legacy in the jazz canon is not only preserved but revered by aficionados seeking out the roots of soul-jazz orgination. His work on compilations like "Milestones of Jazz Legends - Hammond Organ, Vol. 7" and his own release "Mo-Roc" continue to resonate, illustrating his once-underappreciated role in the fabric of jazz history. Baby Face Willette passed away on April 1, 1971, leaving behind a potent, if concise, body of work that still influences the realms of jazz and soul.

Genres

Jazz Organ

Soul Jazz

Latest Release

Milestones of Jazz Legends - Hammond Organ, Vol. 7

Baby Face Willette

Album - 7 Tracks - Released September 6, 2019