Lonnie Smith (July 3, 1972 – September 28, 2021), also known as Dr. Lonnie, was an American jazz Hammond B3 pianist who was a member the George Benson quartet during the 1960s. Before being signed to a solo project, he recorded albums with Lou Donaldson, a saxophonist. He was the owner of the label Pilgrimage and was awarded the Jazz Journalists Association’s nine-time best organist award. From Wikipedia Dr. Lonnie Smith was born in Buffalo in 1942 to a musical family. He was immersed in jazz, blues, and gospel from an early age. Before he started playing the Hammond organ and the church organ, his first instrument was the trumpet. Lou Donaldson and his contemporaries were attracted to Smith’s gigs at Buffalo’s Pine Grill. Smith moved to New York in the mid-1960s and made his first appearance with George Benson, a guitarist. Smith also played with Grover Washington Jr. in 1967. In 1967 Smith released Finger Lickin’ Good, his debut solo album. He then appeared on Lou Donaldson’s Alligator Bogaloo record, which fuses soul-jazz with hard bop styles. Smith signed with Blue Note in 1968 and released five of his soul-jazz favorites from the Blue Note debut Think! Through to Live at Club Mozambique, which featured Lee Morgan as a trumpeter and David Newman as a saxophonist. Smith was a leader on more than 30 albums and collaborated on more than 70. His recordings were often used in hip-hop and often featured on over 30 albums. Blue Note was his second home in 2016, and he said that he felt like a family to Blue Note. “Everybody is great to be with.” They allow me to live my life and tell my story.” Dr. Lonnie Smith was named a NEA Jazz Master in 2017. This honor is the highest jazz honour in the USA. When he spoke about his work, he stated that the organ was an extension of his being, and a part my lens. It breathes for you. It speaks for me. It is all I feel. from https://planetradio.co.uk
