"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 to the West Coast to play three nights at Jazz at Pearl's in San Francisco from Friday, December 14th through Sunday, December 16th. Smith's 1968 debut with Bluenote, Think is solid soulful jazz and 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.
 Dr. Lonnie Smith © John Whiting Lonnie also played the trumpet at school, and was a featured soloist, but upon possessing his own organ he immediately immersed himself in studying it with no instruction other than Jimmy Smith and Bill Doggett records and paying rapt attention to the church organ. Within months his proficiency attracted the attention of local musicians and so began his ascent into jazz history.
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.Jazz at Pearl's is located in the heart of San Francisco's Entertainment District and Historic Little Italy/North Beach & Chinatown: 256 Columbus Ave (Pacific),San Francisco. Visit www.jazzatpearls.com for more information. |
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Thursday, 20 November 2008
