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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.

A Tribute to Dr. Lonnie Smith

by Dave Kaufman
June 14, 2022

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 ...

Radio & Podcasts

Little Pat Blue

by Patrick Burnette
September 23, 2021

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 ...

Album Review

Dr. Lonnie Smith: Breathe

Read "Breathe" reviewed by La-Faithia White

by La-Faithia White
May 15, 2021

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 ...

Album Review

Dr. Lonnie Smith: Breathe

Read "Breathe" reviewed by Angelo Leonardi

by Angelo Leonardi
March 24, 2021

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 ...

Radio & Podcasts

New Organ Combos - Dr. Lonnie Smith, Organissimo, Deep Blue Organ Trio and More

by Russell Perry
November 17, 2020

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 ...

Radio & Podcasts

50th Anniversary Blue Notes for May

by Marc Cohn
May 15, 2020

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 ...

In Pictures

Jazz dans la Nuit at The Montreal International Jazz Festival 2018

by Dave Kaufman
September 6, 2018

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 ...

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Dr. Lonnie Smith

Source: Michael Ricci
July 3, 2023

All About Jazz is celebrating Dr. Lonnie Smith's birthday today!

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Dr. Lonnie Smith

Source: Michael Ricci
July 3, 2022

All About Jazz is celebrating Dr. Lonnie Smith's birthday today!

Obituary

Dr. Lonnie Smith (1942-2021)

Source: JazzWax by Marc Myers
October 5, 2021

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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Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Dr. Lonnie Smith

Source: Michael Ricci
July 3, 2021

All About Jazz is celebrating Dr. Lonnie Smith's birthday today!

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Dr. Lonnie Smith

Source: Michael Ricci
July 3, 2019

All About Jazz is celebrating Dr. Lonnie Smith's birthday today!

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Dr. Lonnie Smith

Source: Michael Ricci
July 3, 2018

All About Jazz is celebrating Dr. Lonnie Smith's birthday today!

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Dr. Lonnie Smith

Source: Michael Ricci
July 3, 2017

All About Jazz is celebrating Dr. Lonnie Smith's birthday today!

Recording

The Best Albums Of 2016 — Exciting, Eclectic, Dope, Diverse, Funky Music From Around The World

Source: Joe Gatto
January 5, 2017

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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Music Industry

Jazz this week: Dr. Lonnie Smith & Lionel Loueke, Alarm Will Sound, a tribute to Billie Holiday, and more

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman
May 28, 2015

This week's lineup of jazz and creative music shows in St. Louis emphasizes collaboration, with several events presenting novel combinations of musicians for your listening enjoyment. Let's go to the highlights... Wednesday, May 27 Jazz St. Louis' latest combination of two headliners into one evening of music features organist Dr. Lonnie Smith teamed with guitarist and singer Lionel Loueke, who will perform this week through Saturday night at Jazz at the Bistro. Both Smith and Loueke certainly share a penchant ...
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Video / DVD

StLJN Saturday Video Showcase: Dr. Lonnie Smith & Lionel Loueke

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman
May 23, 2015

Dr. Lonnie Smith is the elder statesman of jazz organ, one of the last living links back to the 1960s and 70s heyday of Jimmy Smith, Brother Jack McDuff, Jimmy McGriff, Charles Earland, Richard “Groove" Holmes, and other Hammond heroes. Lionel Loueke is a guitarist from a different generation and half a world away who mixes jazz with the rhythms of his home country, the west African nation of Benin. Both men have distinctive sounds that tend to dominate the ...
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