Park Foundation Music App

Home > Artists

George Semper

A Trinidadian-American multi instrumentalist, composer, producer, label owner, and publisher from San Diego. Born 1.1.1942 - Deceased 1.9.2009. Owner of San Diego Market Street East and co-owner of Jazzville nightclubs. He began his professional career in 1958 as leader of "The Kingsmen" (a San Diego, California rock & soul group). He was musical director for Brenton Wood, The Total Experience, and Wattstax. Semper was an original member of the Merry Clayton Group. He is considered a Hammond B3 innovator of the jazz organ from the 60s and Godfather of Bay Area Funk from the 1970's. He owned the record labels Inner City Records, Inner City Attractions, Parlour Records, was an executive of Jimmy Smith owned Mojo Records, and AR for others including A&M and Imperial Records.