10 Facts About Jimmy Ponder

When Ponder's brother entered the military, he left his guitar, and Ponder picked it up.

Jimmy Ponder was drawn to the jazz guitar he heard on the radio.

Jimmy Ponder considered hearing guitarist Thornel Schwartz an important part of his life, when Schwartz was playing with organist Jimmy McGriff.

Jimmy Ponder was impressed by Pat Martino when he saw Martino in the Jack McDuff band.

Jimmy Ponder cited as influences George Benson, Kenny Burrell, and Rene Thomas, though none surpassed the impact of seeing Wes Montgomery.

Jimmy Ponder learned the guitar solo from "Daily Double", the first 45 rpm single released by Charles Earland.

Jimmy Ponder began playing with Earland at 17 and in the following years with Lou Donaldson, Houston Person, Donald Byrd, Stanley Turrentine, and Jimmy McGriff.

Jimmy Ponder moved to Philadelphia and later New York City in the 1970s and recorded extensively as a leader.

Jimmy Ponder's highest charting release was Somebody's Child, which reached No 3 on the JazzWeek airplay chart in 2007.

Jimmy Ponder died of lung cancer in Pittsburgh at the age of 67 in September 2013.