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Dr. Lonnie Smith Trio on Tour |
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Written by Don Berryman
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Wednesday, 15 August 2007 |
"Dr. Lonnie Smith is a phenomenal B3 burner who can light up a room with visceral intensity or lay down some of the nastiest funk ever played on an organ" - Bill Milkowski, JazzTimes
 Dr Lonnie Smith © Andrea Canter
"I can take it anywhere it goes, right? I love to play inside, outside...but the organ swings best when it swings, doesn't it? That's what that organ is good for. You could try to play hip all you want, but when you swing that thing, there's no other feeling like it." - Doctor Lonnie Smith
Hammond B3 artist and master showman Dr. Lonnie Smith has been thrilling audiences since the 1960's. Lonnie was voted the "Organ Keyboardist of the Year" in 2003, 2004 and 2005 by the Jazz Journalist Association. Dr. Lonnie Smith will be grooving his way across the US on his summer tour that takes his trio on the 17th to the Early Works Museum in Huntsville, on the 18th to The Jewish Mother in Virginia Beach, on the 19th to the Jazz Kitchen in Indianapolis, on the 20th -21st to the Dakota in Minneapolis, on the 23rd to the Blue Room (American Jazz Museum) in Kansas City, on the 24th to the Firefly in Ann Arbor, on the 25th - 26th to Andy's Jazz Club in Chicago, on September 2nd to the Anacortes Jazz Festival in Washington state, and on September 7th - 9th to Arturo's Jazz Club in Detroit. His trio includes guitarist Dan Faehnle, and drummer Anthony Pinciotti.
 Dr. Lonnie Smith © John Whiting
Smith's 1968 debut with Bluenote, Think is solid soulful jazz. His long association with Lou Donaldson resulted in some of the most iconic soul-jazz statements of the era (including Alligator Bogaloo). Dr. Lonnie Smith was born in Buffalo, N.Y. into a musical family. His family had a singing group and a radio show. Smith credits his mother as a major influence in his musical career, introducing him to gospel, classical and jazz music.
In the late 1950s Lonnie first discovered the instrument he calls the “425 pound beast”—the Hammond B-3 organ. His first organ was given to him after he told local music store owner Art Kubera he was certain he could make a living if he only had an instrument to play. The next time he came by the shop, Kubera led Lonnie to a massive Hammond B3 and announced that it was his—if he could move it out of the store! Lonnie lost no time in taking him up on his offer and thanks to this kindness and generosity so began Lonnie’s career. Dr. Smith now refers to Art as his “Angel.”
Lonnie first gigs were played at Buffalo's hottest club, The Pine Grill where he came to the attention of touring musicians Jack McDuff, Lou Donaldson, George Benson and the agent Jimmy Boyd—who later signed Smith to record with Grant Green. Lonnie sat in with Jack McDuff's group in the early 60's and met George Benson. Soon after he moved to NYC and began playing regularly in George Benson's Quartet. His reputation as a self-schooled innovator grew rapidly during his tenure with Benson. After recording several albums with George Benson and Lou Donaldson, Lonnie became a solo recording artist and developed a career that has produced over 30 albums under his own name. Several legendary jazz artists have joined Dr. Lonnie Smith on his albums, including Lee Morgan, David "Fat Head" Newman, King Curtis, Blue Mitchell, and Joe Lovano among others.
 Dan Faehnle
Dr Lonnie Smith says, "I want to reach more than the average jazz listener, I want to reach everyone and that's not an easy job to do. I want to bring more people to this kind of music, so they can hear it and enjoy it." His latest CD, Jungle Soul has that broad appeal with a swinging, funky and infectious collection of standards and originals that is sure to get your toes tapping and body swaying.
Dr Lonnie Smith Trio Summer US Tour Dates:
- August 17 - Early Works Museum, Huntsville, AL
- August18 - The Jewish Mother, Virginia Beach, VA
- August 19 - The Jazz Kitchen, Indianapolis, IN
- August 20 - 21 - The Dakota, Minneapolis, MN
- August 23 - The Blue Room (American Jazz Museum), Kansas City, MO
- August 24 - The Firefly, Ann Arbor, MI
- August 25 - 26 - Andy's Jazz Club, Chicago, IL
- September 2 - Anacortes Jazz Festival, WA
- September 7 - 9 - Arturo's Jazz Club, Detroit, MI
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 Sunday, 07 September 2008
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