Billy Hawks was an American jazz and rhythm & blues organist active during the 1960s. Known for his soulful grooves and dynamic Hammond organ style, Hawks blended elements of jazz, blues, and funk into a distinctive sound that captured the spirit of the era’s club scene. His recordings for Prestige Records, including *The New Genius of the Blues* and *Heavy Soul!*, feature tight ensembles and expressive improvisations that continue to influence jazz and soul revivalists. Though his career was brief, his music endures as a cult favorite among groove and acid jazz enthusiasts.