Dave "Baby" Cortez, born David Cortez Clowney in 1938, is an American rhythm and blues pianist and organist. He is most notable for his instrumental hit "The Happy Organ," which climbed to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1959, making him the first African-American artist to have an instrumental number one hit. Cortez's style blends R&B, pop, and soul, with his organ playing being a distinctive signature sound. Throughout his career, he has made significant contributions to the evolution of R&B and soul music.