Lou Bennett started as a pianist in bop, but he switched to the organ after which he became a solid player by the end of his 50s. Jimmy Smith’s virtuostic approach was the inspiration for Bennett, who left behind piano in 1956 and traveled the East and Midwest with his trio of organs from 1957 to 1959. Bennett left America for Paris in 1960. He recorded there and played at the Blue Note club in Paris with Jimmy Gourley, Kenny Clarke, and Rene Thomas. Bennett only made one return trip to America. He was there for the 1964 Newport Jazz Festival. He was the leader of his own band in the 1980s. Allmusic
