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A Tribute to Dr. Lonnie Smith

By Dave Kaufman
June 14, 2022
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The great master of the Hammond B3 organ,

Dr. Lonnie Smith

organ, Hammond B3
1942 - 2021

" data-original-title="" title="">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 was named an NEA Jazz Master, among the highest honor that can be bestowed upon a jazz musician in the United States. Smith was a Blue Note Records recording artist early in his career (1960s) and triumphantly returned to Blue Note in 2016 with one of his greatest works, Evolution. To quote my colleague, Dan Bilawsky, "the album is populated with raunchy riffs, greasy grooves, soulful sermons, tidal organ shifts, moody statements, hard-hitting solos, and punchy interjections, all of which help to enliven throwback songs, standards, and new pieces alike." That perfectly encapsulates the sound and spirit of Dr. Lonnie Smith. I had the pleasure of seeing Smith perform several times with his longstanding trio (with

Jonathan Kreisberg

guitar
b.1972

" data-original-title="" title="">Jonathan Kreisberg and

Johnathan Blake

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Johnathan Blake) and the Octet, which featured four horns and vocalist

Alicia Olatuja

vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">Alicia Olatuja. It was never less than a joyous experience (see my Jazz Dans La Nuit review from the Montreal Jazz Festival). In a Downbeat obituary, Blue Note President

Don Was

bass
b.1952

" data-original-title="" title="">Don Was, stated that "Doc was a musical genius who possessed a deep, funky groove and a wry, playful spirit."

I had the great pleasure of attending a tribute to Dr. Lonnie Smith (June 6, 2022) at the Chelsea Table + Stage club in New York City. The tribute was organized by Holly Case, Smith's longtime manager, and partner. It featured a stellar group of musicians, including Johnathan Blake and Jonathan Kreisberg, his most durable musical partners in the last decade of his life. Blake emceed the event and perfectly set the tone of reverence and humor. Other musicians who participated in the event included

Joe Lovano

drums
b.1952

" data-original-title="" title="">Joe Lovano,

Peter Bernstein

guitar
b.1967

" data-original-title="" title="">Peter Bernstein,

Allison Miller

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Allison Miller,

Darrell Green

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Darrell Green,

Bill Saxton

saxophone

" data-original-title="" title="">Bill Saxton,

Richie Hart

" data-original-title="" title="">Richie Hart,

Will Bernard

guitar

" data-original-title="" title="">Will Bernard,

John Ellis

saxophone, tenor
b.1974

" data-original-title="" title="">John Ellis,

Greg Skaff

guitar

" data-original-title="" title="">Greg Skaff, and

Jason W. Marshall

saxophone, baritone
b.1983

" data-original-title="" title="">Jason W. Marshall. They all played with Smith at some point in his career. To quote Joe Lovano, "Having Lonnie's embrace in my early 20s was a springboard into my future on the scene. He was my mentor and a true inspiration through the years." The event featured several outstanding organists, all of whom were influenced by the great master, including Will Blades,

Pat Bianchi

organ, Hammond B3
b.1975

" data-original-title="" title="">Pat Bianchi,

Brian Charette

organ, Hammond B3
b.1972

" data-original-title="" title="">Brian Charette and

Mike LeDonne

organ, Hammond B3
b.1956

" data-original-title="" title="">Mike LeDonne.

There were many musical highlights, including a fiery opening featuring Blake, Kreisberg, and Blades; Impressions performed by Lovano, Bernstein, Charette, and Miller; a blistering blues led by guitarist Hart with Blades and Green. The finale featured a performance of "Pilgrimage," one of Smith's signature compositions that he has recorded a few times over the years. It also appears on his final album, Breathe and includes lyrics by Lynne Merryl Koenigsberg and lovely vocals by Alicia Olatuja. In the event finale, Olatuja was featured on a drop-dead gorgeous version of the gospel-tinged song, which speaks to better times and new beginnings.

In addition to the musical performances, there were spoken tributes to the great master. The speeches paid homage to his musicianship, humanity, and devotion to his friends. There were great stories, many of which were both moving and hilarious. Smith was singularly unique, and his legacy will live on perpetually. View Slideshow

Jonathan Kreisberg and Pat Bianchi at Tribute for Dr....

Jonathan Kreisberg at Tribute for Dr. Lonnie Smith

Jonathan Kreisberg and Will Blades at Tribute for Dr....

Darrell Green at Tribute for Dr. Lonnie Smith

Jonathan Kreisberg and Pat Bianchi at Tribute for Dr....

Joe Lovano and Brian Charette at Tribute for Dr. Lonnie...

Will Bernard at Tribute for Dr. Lonnie Smith

Joe Lovano at Tribute for Dr. Lonnie Smith

Holly Case at Tribute for Dr. Lonnie Smith

Allison Miller at Tribute for Dr. Lonnie Smith

Dr. Lonnie Smith at the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix

Mike LeDonne at Tribute for Dr. Lonnie Smith

Allison Miller at Tribute for Dr. Lonnie Smith

Peter Bernstein and Joe Lovano at Allison Miller at Tribute...

Will Blades at Tribute for Dr. Lonnie Smith

Allison Miller at Tribute for Dr. Lonnie Smith

Johnathan Blake, Will Blades and Jonathan Kreisberg at...

John Ellis at Tribute for Dr. Lonnie Smith

John Ellis and Jason Marshall at Tribute for Dr. Lonnie...

Joe Lovano at Tribute for Dr. Lonnie Smith

Johnathan Blake at Tribute for Dr. Lonnie Smith

Bill Saxton and Mike LeDonne at Tribute for Dr. Lonnie Smith

Richie Hart at Tribute for Dr. Lonnie Smith

Mike LeDonne, Bill Saxton and Will Bernard at Tribute for...

Peter Bernstein at Tribute for Dr. Lonnie Smith

Jonathan Kreisberg, Dr. Lonnie Smith and Johnathan Blake at...

Don Was at Tribute for Dr. Lonnie Smith

Alicia Olatuja at Tribute for Dr. Lonnie Smith

Jonathan Kreisberg at Tribute for Dr. Lonnie Smith

Alicia Olatuja at Tribute for Dr. Lonnie Smith

Jonathan Kreisberg And Dr. Lonnie Smith With Evolution At...

Andrew Mcansh, John Ellis, Robin Eubanks, Jason Marshall,...

Jonathan Kreisberg, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Chris Potter And...

Jonathan Kreisberg And Dr. Lonnie Smith With Trio At The...

Dr. Lonnie Smith With Trio At The Musical Instrument Museum...

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