Dr. Lonnie Smith Trio at Dazzle Jazz | March 30 & 31

Dr. Lonnie Smith – authentic Master of the Hammond B3 organ – will perform shows with his trio at Dazzle Jazz March 30 and 31.

For over five decades, Smith has furthered the sound of Jazz organ, created a worldwide fan-base and revealed his musical talents on more than 70 albums. Today, Smith’s name is truly synonymous with the instrument.

Downbeat magazine named Smith ‘Top Organist of 1969.’ More recently he has been selected as ‘Organ Keyboardist of the Year’ by The Jazz Journalist Association in 2003, 2004 and 2005.

Born in Buffalo, New York, Lonnie was blessed with the gift of music and gained an exposure to gospel, blues and jazz through his mother at an early age. In his teens, he went on to sing in several vocal groups including his own, “The Supremes,” formed long before Diana Ross used the name.

Smith 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. His inspired interpretation of an eclectic sampling of musical types explains his broad appeal and why he has been in constant demand from his earliest gigs to his most recent club appearances.

Revered throughout the world and popular among many disparate groups, Smith’s unique stylings and prolific output have elevated him to the status of living musical icon. Lonnie’s irrepressible energy infuses his music and audience with the joy that he has always found in creating and performing.

photo credit: hammond-organ.com