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Palmetto Records.
Internationally known as one of the premier jazz keyboardists in the history of the idiom, Dr. Lonnie Smith is a dominant talent and pace-setting proponent of the Hammond B3 Organ and widely recognized and gifted pianist. 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, states Bill Milkowski
in JazzTimes. Lonnie has been at the forefront of the jazz scene since he was
named Top Organist by Downbeat Magazine in 1969. Recently, Lonnie was voted the Organ Keyboardist of the Year in 2003, 2004 and 2005 by the Jazz Journalist Association. Lonnie is a dynamic performer who typically infuses his music with enough energy to light a city block, says Tad Henderickson in The Star Ledger. He tours regularly throughout the United States and Europe and has performed at major world jazz festivals with Dizzy Gillespie, Grover Washington, Jr., Ron Carter, Lou Donaldson, Jimmy McGriff, Jimmy Scott, Frank Foster, Leon Thomas, Willis Jackson and other prominent jazz artists. His versatility as a musician has caused him to be in demand with rhythm and blues greats Gladys Knight, Dionne Warwick, Etta James, Esther Phillips, the Impressions and the Coasters. Lonnie was born into a musical family in Buffalo, NY where his mother introduced him to gospel, classical and jazz music. As a young man in the 1950's, Smith sang in several groups including the Teen Kings and the Supremes. A music store owner in Buffalo named Art Kubera gave his first organ to him. Lonnie devised his own play-by-ear method and within a few months, he was on the road with a regional touring group. It wasn't long before George Benson hired him. Lonnie has produced over 30 albums as a leader and has been featured on over 70 more including recordings with George Benson, David Fathead Newman and Lou Donaldson. In 2005, the Doctor released his first album on Palmetto Records entitled Too Damn Hot! Called, a fiery package that features soulful grooves and heartfelt blues by Allaboutjazz, Too Damn Hot! features guitarists Peter Bernstein and Rodney Jones as well as drummers Greg Hutchinson and Fukushi Tainaka.
Jungle Soul
New York, NY (June 6, 2006) "the most exciting jazz organist alive today" (Downtown Express) Hammond B-3 Organ master, Dr. Lonnie Smith, released his new album, Jungle Soul, July 11, 2006, on Palmetto Records.
Featuring Peter Bernstein, guitar; Allison Miller, drums and percussion; and Matt Balitsaris, rhythm and acoustic guitar, Jungle Soul includes tunes by Marvin Gaye, Frank Foster, Eddie Harris, Ann Ronell, Thelonious Monk and originals. Tracks include Trouble Man, Simone, Jungle Soul, Willow Weep for Me, Freedom Jazz Dance, Blue Moment, Witch Doctor, Bemsha Swing, Zimbabwe, and Jungle Wisdom.
Dr. Lonnie Smith typically infuses his music with enough energy to light a city block (Tad Hendrickson, Star Ledger). With Jungle Soul, and his recent appearances with Stanton Moore Lonnie is crossing generations and genres while connecting to a younger audience where the trio plays the same tunes but, in Lonnies words, upbeat and with a lot more force. Lonnie says, I want to reach more than the average jazz listener, I want to reach everyone and thats 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.
On stage, [Lonnie] shapes songs on the spot the way a sculptor shapes a slab of clay into an elegant pot. (Bill Milkowski, JazzTimes) The Dr. Lonnie Smith Trio will embark on an international tour to promote the release of Jungle Soul. Beginning with a performance at the Umbria Jazz Festival in Italy the trio will continue to New York Citys Jazz Standard for a CD Release party July 18 23. The tour will also include performances at the San Jose Jazz Festival, the Chicago Jazz Festival, the Monterey Jazz Festival, the Kennedy Center Jazz Club, the Earshot Jazz Festival, and the San Francisco Jazz Festival.
Too Damn Hot!
Features Peter Bernstein (guitar),
Greg Hutchinson and Fukushi Tainaka (alternating on drums)
Rodney Jones (rhythm guitar)
Dr. Lonnie Smith always creates a groove with the pace of his swing and the
depth of his sound. Recognized internationally as one of the premier keyboard
players in the history of jazz, Smith combines his passion for the music with
his intuitive intelligence and gives listeners an unforgettable musical experience.
The title of his debut on Palmetto Records, Too Damn Hot!, may serve as a caution
for listeners to get ready for that groove. Featuring eight original compositions,
Smith opens the CD with the down-home, second-line beat of B/pop artists Gladys Knight,
Dionne Warwick, Etta James, Esther Phillips, The Impressions, The Coasters and
many others.
