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Dr. Lonnie Smith
Dr. Lonnie Smith is an unparalleled musician, composer, performer and recording artist. An authentic master and guru of the Hammond B-3 organ for over five decades, he has been featured on over seventy albums, and has recorded and performed with a virtual “Who’s Who” of the greatest jazz, blues and R&B giants in the industry. Consequently, he has often been hailed as a “Legend,” a “Living Musical Icon,” and as the most creative jazz organist by a slew of music publications. Jazz Times magazine describes him as “a riddle wrapped in an enigma wrapped in a turban!” Always ahead of the curve, it is no surprise Dr. Smith’s fan-base is truly worldwide. Born in Buffalo, New York, Lonnie was blessed with the gift of music. Through his mother, he was immersed in gospel, blues and jazz at an early age. In his teens, he sang in several vocal groups including his own–the Supremes–formed long before Motown’s eventual iconic act of the same name. Lonnie also played trumpet and other instruments at school and was a featured soloist. In the late ‘50s– with the encouragement of Art Kubera, who owned a local music store that he would visit daily–young Lonnie was given the opportunity to learn how to play a Hammond organ. By completely immersing himself in the records of organists such as Wild Bill Davis, Bill Doggett and Jimmy Smith, as well as paying rapt attention to the church organ, a young Lonnie began to find his musical voice. “Even though I didn’t know how, I was able to play right from the beginning,” Dr. Smith reflects. “I learned how to work the stops and that was it. It’s a passion for me, so everything else came naturally.” Because of Mr. Kubera’s kindness, Dr. Lonnie often refers to Art as his “angel.” The Doctor’s first gigs were at Buffalo’s hottest jazz club, the Pine Grill, where he rapidly garnered the attention of folks like Jack McDuff, Lou Donaldson, George Benson and the booking agent Jimmy Boyd. George Benson was looking for an organist for his quartet and enlisted Lonnie. The group soon relocated to New York City, where they quickly established a reputation as innovators in Harlem clubs and throughout the area. After appearing on several Benson albums, Lonnie went on to make his first recording as a leader—Finger Lickin’ Good–for Columbia Records in 1966. Shortly thereafter, Smith was scooped up to record by saxophonist Lou Donaldson, for whom Lonnie would appear on several epic Blue Note LPs, including the million-seller, Alligator Boogaloo.
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A Tribute to Dr. Lonnie Smith
by Dave Kaufman
The great master of the Hammond B3 organ, Dr. Lonnie Smith, passed away in September 2021 at 79. Smith enjoyed a more than 50-year career at the vanguard of soul jazz. His influence extended far beyond that genre to electronic, hip-hop, and funk artists. Smith remained at the peak of his powers as a musician and a creative artist seeking to expand his vision and repertoire. Prior to his passing, he had been enjoying a late-career renaissance. In 2017, Smith ...
read moreLittle Pat Blue
by Patrick Burnette
Mike's on the road and overwhelmed with work so it's up to Pat to come up with something to satiate the frothing demand for bastardly content. Back to the vinyl well he goes—first to talk about six Blue Note albums he discovered on his on-going record buying spree (enjoyable in whatever format you choose) and then to muse a little about how Blue Note is once again building a canon by selecting which albums get memorialized in all-analog vinyl and ...
read moreDr. Lonnie Smith: Breathe
by La-Faithia White
Dr. Lonnie Smith, guru of the Hammond B3 organ for over five decades, now releases eight songs, six of which were recorded live in 2017 at The Jazz Standard in New York City, during his seventy-fifth birthday. In December 2020, The Jazz Standard closed because of the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic which has taken the lives of many jazz clubs throughout the USA. The opening song, “Why Can't We Live Together," is a remake of the 1972 ...
read moreDr. Lonnie Smith: Breathe
by Angelo Leonardi
Nel nuovo album di Dr.Lonnie Smith, appena uscito per la Blue Note, non c'è solo il traboccante groove del suo trio. Per il 75mo compleanno dell'organista Hammond, il produttore Don Was ha fatto le cose in grande, pubblicando la registrazione di una una serata allo Jazz Standard (a New York nel 2017) con un organico strumentale con nomi illustri, come il trombonista Robin Eubanks e la cantante Alicia Olatuja. Piuttosto insolita, ma riuscitissima, risulta poi la collaborazione ripresa in studio ...
read moreNew Organ Combos - Dr. Lonnie Smith, Organissimo, Deep Blue Organ Trio and More
by Russell Perry
In 1956, Jimmy Smith created the organ trio featuring organ, guitar and drums. Soon thereafter, his quartets with Lou Donaldson and Stanley Turrentine defined the organ—saxophone quartet sound. Today, these traditions live on and, although the instrumentation may vary slightly, the debt to Jimmy Smith's pioneering soul jazz trios and quartets is persistent. Playlist Host Intro 0:00 Dr. Lonnie Smith Trio “Mellow Mood" from Spiral (Palmetto 2:46 Dr. Lonnie Smith Trio “Up Jumped Spring" from All in My ...
read more50th Anniversary Blue Notes for May
by Marc Cohn
Time for 50th anniversaries of Blue Note recordings from May 1970 (logically enough!): Lonnie Smith's Live at Club Mozambique; Donald Byrd's Electric Byrd; Joe Williams' Worth Waiting For and the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra (Consummation). Then there's some 21st century music (Jane Ira Bloom, Andy Hunter, Tony Kofi and Brian Bromberg), as well as previously unreleased Eddie “Lockjaw" Davis--Johnny Griffin live at Seattle's Penthouse Club from 1962 and BN-22 (the original 78) with Meade Lux Lewis tickling the ivories. Enjoy ...
read moreJazz dans la Nuit at The Montreal International Jazz Festival 2018
by Dave Kaufman
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4jny: Montreal is a city known for its beautiful historic churches and cathedrals. Église du Gesù, a magnificent church situated in the heart of downtown Montreal, opened its doors in 1865. The basement in the church has housed an amphitheater dedicated to the arts for almost 100 years. It was renovated in 1992 and reopened as Le Centre de créativité du Gesù. The facility offers space for art ...
read moreJazz Musician of the Day: Dr. Lonnie Smith
Source:
Michael Ricci
All About Jazz is celebrating Dr. Lonnie Smith's birthday today!
Dr. Lonnie Smith is an unparalleled musician, composer, performer and recording artist. An authentic master and guru of the Hammond B-3 organ for over five decades, he has been featured on over seventy albums, and has recorded and performed with a virtual “Who’s Who” of the greatest jazz, blues and R&B giants in the industry. Consequently, he has often been hailed as a “Legend,” a “Living Musical Icon,” and as ...
read more
Jazz Musician of the Day: Dr. Lonnie Smith
Source:
Michael Ricci
All About Jazz is celebrating Dr. Lonnie Smith's birthday today!
Dr. Lonnie Smith is an unparalleled musician, composer, performer and recording artist. An authentic master and guru of the Hammond B-3 organ for over five decades, he has been featured on over seventy albums, and has recorded and performed with a virtual “Who’s Who” of the greatest jazz, blues and R&B giants in the industry. Consequently, he has often been hailed as a “Legend,” a “Living Musical Icon,” and as ...
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The Django Announces December Schedule Featuring Dr. Lonnie Smith Tributes, Holidays With Duchess, Orrin Evans, New Year's Eve With Houston Person, And More
Source:
AMT Public Relations
The Django, downtown Manhattan’s premier jazz club, offers an impressive month of music with jazz legends and rising stars. Today’s leading artists gather on The Django stage to celebrate NEA Jazz Master Dr. Lonnie Smith in special back-to-back tribute concerts 12/9. Two leading pianists make their Django debut: Benito Gonzalez 12/3 followed by Orrin Evans 12/8 leading his new Brazilian project “Terreno Comun”. The holidays are in full swing with festive concerts by Charles Turner & Uptown Swing Dance 12/11, ...
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Dr. Lonnie Smith (1942-2021)
Source:
JazzWax by Marc Myers
Lonnie Smith, who added a Dr. in front of his name to differentiate himself from organist Lonnie Liston Smith and whose funk-driven organ in the 1960s was a key ingredient in many different soul-jazz combos, died on September 28. He was 79. In addition to his invented moniker, Lonnie's turban, by his own admission, had no religious significance. For him, the name and the look was akin to an artistic statement or character that let him step out of himself. ...
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Jazz Musician of the Day: Dr. Lonnie Smith
Source:
Michael Ricci
All About Jazz is celebrating Dr. Lonnie Smith's birthday today!
Dr. Lonnie Smith is an unparalleled musician, composer, performer and recording artist. An authentic master and guru of the Hammond B-3 organ for over five decades, he has been featured on over seventy albums, and has recorded and performed with a virtual “Who’s Who” of the greatest jazz, blues and R&B giants in the industry. Consequently, he has often been hailed as a “Legend,” a “Living Musical Icon,” and as ...
read more
Dr. Lonnie Smith: Breathe
Source:
JazzWax by Marc Myers
Twelve years ago, Ira Gitler introduced me to Lonnie Smith. We were sitting at New York's Jazz Standard listening to the music during the Jazz Journalists Association awards annual gala. As the three of us sat there, I told Lonnie how much I dug his heavy groove albums from the 1960s and '70s—particularly Think! and Turning Point and Drives. Each time I mentioned an album, Lonnie's eyebrows went up. Other than that, he was fairly quiet and borderline shy. Later, ...
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Jazz Musician of the Day: Dr. Lonnie Smith
Source:
Michael Ricci
All About Jazz is celebrating Dr. Lonnie Smith's birthday today!
Dr. Lonnie Smith is an unparalleled musician, composer, performer and recording artist. An authentic master and guru of the Hammond B-3 organ for over five decades, he has been featured on over seventy albums, and has recorded and performed with a virtual “Who’s Who” of the greatest jazz, blues and R&B giants in the industry. Consequently, he has often been hailed as a “Legend,” a “Living Musical Icon... Read more. ...
read more
Jazz Musician of the Day: Dr. Lonnie Smith
Source:
Michael Ricci
All About Jazz is celebrating Dr. Lonnie Smith's birthday today!
Dr. Lonnie Smith is an unparalleled musician, composer, performer and recording artist. An authentic master and guru of the Hammond B-3 organ for over five decades, he has been featured on over seventy albums, and has recorded and performed with a virtual “Who’s Who” of the greatest jazz, blues and R&B giants in the industry. Consequently, he has often been hailed as a “Legend,” a “Living Musical Icon... Read more. ...
read more
Jazz Musician of the Day: Dr. Lonnie Smith
Source:
Michael Ricci
All About Jazz is celebrating Dr. Lonnie Smith's birthday today!
Dr. Lonnie Smith is an unparalleled musician, composer, performer and recording artist. An authentic master and guru of the Hammond B-3 organ for over five decades, he has been featured on over seventy albums, and has recorded and performed with a virtual “Who’s Who” of the greatest jazz, blues and R&B giants in the industry. Consequently, he has often been hailed as a “Legend,” a “Living Musical Icon... Read more. ...
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The Best Albums Of 2016 — Exciting, Eclectic, Dope, Diverse, Funky Music From Around The World
Source:
Joe Gatto
Another year has just come to a close, it’s time to review the best albums & singles of 2016. These records were chosen to be the best albums in terms of jazzy, soulful, distinctive, funky music of various styles and genres from around the world. The criteria is that it must be made with heart & soul. It’s got to have a great groove throughout. The music must have syncopation, be melodic, harmonious & poly-rhythmic. The list is comprised of ...
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Keith Pray
saxophone
Matthieu Marthouret
organ, Hammond B3
Joe Dyson
drums
Matthew Whitaker
organ, Hammond B3
Dave Mattock
organ, Hammond B3
Music Soup
band / ensemble / orchestra
Daniel Latorre
organ, Hammond B3Photos
Music
Videos
Similar
Kenny Burrell
guitar, electric
Jimmy Smith
organ, Hammond B3
Cannonball Adderley
saxophone
Grant Green
guitar
Barbara Dennerlein
organ, Hammond B3
Lou Donaldson
saxophone
Jimmy McGriff
organ, Hammond B3
Larry Young
organ, Hammond B3
Charles Earland
organ, Hammond B3
Johnny "Hammond" Smith
organ, Hammond B3
Donald Byrd
trumpet
Richard "Groove" Holmes
organ, Hammond B3
Jack McDuff
organ, Hammond B3
Big John Patton
organ, Hammond B3
Baby Face Willette
organ, Hammond B3
Lonnie Liston Smith
keyboards
Dr. Lonnie Smith
Instrument: Organ, Hammond B3
Born: July 3, 1942
Died: September 28, 2021
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