Brian Auger is a British keyboardist and bandleader from Hammersmith, born in 1939. He is associated with jazz fusion, jazz rock and progressive rock, and is known for specialising in the Hammond organ, particularly the Hammond B3.

Career

Auger works as a jazz pianist, Hammond organ player, session musician and bandleader. He studies the approach of organist Jimmy Smith, who serves as an early influence and mentor figure in his development.

His work combines jazz with early British pop, rhythm and blues, soul and rock. He appears in or leads several named groups, including Brian Auger & the Trinity, Brian Auger & The Trinity, Brian Auger’s Oblivion Express, The Steampacket, The Brian Auger Piano Trio, Roland Kovac New Set and CAB. He also performs and records with Julie Driscoll.

Collaborations

Auger tours or records with a wide range of musicians, including Rod Stewart, Tony Williams, Jimi Hendrix, Sonny Boy Williamson, Led Zeppelin and Eric Burdon.

Recognition

He receives a Grammy nomination and recognition from Keyboard Magazine as Organ Player of the Year. His recordings reach sales of around 3 million copies.