CURATION
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from this page:
by Augmented Matrix
Network Node
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Name:
Dr. Lonnie Smith
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City/Place:
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
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Country:
United States
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Hometown:
Buffalo, New York
Current News
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What's Up?
Dr. Lonnie Smith is now with God.
Life & Work
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Bio:
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. Blue Note clearly liked what they heard and inked the organist to his own recording contract, a deal which would produce the soul jazz classicsThink!, Turning Point, Move Your Hand, Drives and Live at Club Mozambique (released many years later).
Since leaving the Blue Note stable in the ‘70s, Dr. Smith has recorded for a slew of record labels, including Kudu, Groove Merchant, T.K., Scufflin’, Criss Cross and Palmetto, ascending the charts many times. His unpredictable, insatiable musical taste illustrates that no genre is safe, as Lonnie has recorded everything from covers of the Beatles, the Stylistics and the Eurythmics, to tribute albums of Jimi Hendrix, John Coltrane and Beck–all by employing ensembles ranging from a trio to a fifteen-piece big band. Moreover, many of Doc’s recent compositions reflect dramatic ethereal qualities and orchestration that elicit movie scores or soundtracks.
Dr. Smith has been amused to find himself sampled in rap, dance and house grooves while being credited as a forefather of acid jazz. When questioned about his consistent interest in music some consider outside the jazz “mainstream,” Lonnie shrugs. “Jazz is American Classical,” he proclaims. “And this music is a reflection of what’s happening at the time… The organ is like the sunlight, rain and thunder…it’s all the worldly sounds to me!”
In 2012, Dr. Smith launched his own record label Pilgrimage Inc., and in 2015, resigned with the iconic Blue Note Records label. Dr. Lonnie Smith’s latest CD has been released on Blue Note. (2016)
Many awards have followed since 1969, when Downbeat magazine named Dr. Lonnie Smith “Top Organist” of the year. 2003-2014 he was awarded “Organist/Keyboardist of the Year” by the Jazz Journalist Association. The Buffalo Music Hall of Fame and Jazz Organ Fellowship have also inducted Dr. Lonnie, and in 2015 he received the Village Music Legends Award.
My Recordings
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Discography:
DR. LONNIE SMITH AS LEADER:
All IN MY MIND: Live at the Jazz Standard (Blue Note Records/2018)
EVOLUTION (Blue Note Records/2016)
IN THE BEGINNING VOL 1 & 2 (Pilgrimage Records/2013)
THE HEALER (Pilgrimage Records/2012)
SPIRAL (Palmetto/2010)
THE ART OF ORGANIZING (Criss Cross Jazz/issued 2009)
RISE UP! (Palmetto/2009)
JUNGLE SOUL (Palmetto/2006)
TOO DAMN HOT! (Palmetto/2004)
BOOGALOO TO BECK (Scufflin’/2002)
PURPLE HAZE (Venus/MusicMasters – 1994)
FOXY LADY (Venus/MusicMasters – 1994)
AFRO BLUE (Venus/MusicMasters – 1993)
THE TURBANATOR (32 Jazz/1991)
LENOX AND SEVENTH with Alvin Queen (Black & Blue/1985)
GOTCHA (LRC/1978)
FUNK REACTION (LRC/1977)
KEEP ON LOVIN’ (Groove Merchant/1976)
AFRO-DESIA (Groove Merchant/1975)
MAMA WAILER (Kudu/1971)
LIVE AT CLUB MOZAMBIQUE (Blue Note/1970)
DRIVES (Blue Note/1970)
MOVE YOUR HAND (Blue Note/1969)
TURNING POINT (Blue Note/1969)
THINK! (Blue Note/1968)
FINGER-LICKIN’ GOOD SOUL ORGAN (Columbia/1966-67)
DR. LONNIE SMITH COLLECTIONS:
AFRODESIA (LRC/2003)
AFRO-DESIA/KEEP ON LOVIN’ (Connoisseur/2000)
AFRODESIA (LRC/1996)
LONNIE SMITH (LRC/1991)
LONNIE SMITH/GEORGE BENSON (Europa Jazz/1981)
FLAVORS (1980/1998)
WHEN THE NIGHT IS RIGHT (Chiaroscuro/1980)
LONNIE SMITH (America/1979)
LONNIE WITH OTHERS:
DAY BREAKS - Nora Jones (Blue Note/2016)
I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TIME IT WAS - Jazz Orchestra of Concertgebouw (JOC/2016)
THAT'S WHAT YOU SAY - JazzInvaders (Unique Germany/2012)
NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH - Soul Sugar (Freestyle/2009)
FRIENDS AND FAMILY – Ray Brown, Jr. (SRI Jazz/2008)
SWEET MISSY – Gloria Coleman featuring George Coleman (Doodlin’/2007)
LITTLE TINY – Sari Yano (Savoy/2007)
LEGENDS OF JAZZ WITH RAMSEY LEWIS (LRSmedia/2006)
NOW – Javon Jackson (Palmetto/2006)
SO WAR’S – VOLL DANEBEN – Olaf Kübler (ACT/2005)
GREASY STREET – Richie Hart (Zoho/2005)
STRAIGHT FROM THE SOURCE – Cyrus Pace (Bright Soul/2005)
HAVE YOU HEARD – Javon Jackson (Palmetto/2005)
NEW YORK TIME – Frode Kjekstad (Curling Legs/2004)
THE DOCTOR IS IN – Crash (Cellar Live/2003)
COAST TO COAST – Red Holloway (Milestone/2003)
HAMMOND RENS – Kresten Osgood (ILK Music/2002)
EASY DOES IT – Javon Jackson (Palmetto/2002)
THE BRIDGE – Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe (Relaxed/2002)
DR. LONNIE SMITH MEETS MARTIEN OSTER AND THE ORIGINAL GROOVES (2001)
GOES BLUE – THE JAZZ GUITAR TRIO VOL. 3 – Ximo Tébar (Nuevos Medios/2001)
SOUL MANIFESTO – Rodney Jones (Blue Note/2001)
THE SPIRIT SPEAKS – Ed Cherry (Justin Time/2000)
MODERN MAN – Bobby Broom (Delmark/2000)
RELAXING AT SEA: LIVE ON THE QE2 – The Lou Donaldson Quartet (Chiariscuro/1999)
McGRIFF’S HOUSE PARTY – Jimmy McGriff (Milestone/1999)
HOMEPAGE – Ximo Tébar (WEA/1998)
AFTER HOURS – Eric Allison (Contemporary/1997)
CHARLES EARLAND’S JAZZ ORGAN SUMMIT (Cannonball/1997)
SO WHAT! – THE JAZZ GUITAR TRIO VOL. 2 – Ximo Tébar (WEA/1997)
BONGOBOP – The Essence All Stars (Hip Bop Essence/1997)
ONE FOOT IN THE BLUES – Johnny Adams (Rounder/1996)
SOUL SERENADE – Jesse Jones (Contemporary/1996)
THE TRUTH – Turk Mauro (Milestone/1996)
POLKA DOTS AND MOONBEAMS – David “Bubba” Brooks (TCB/1996)
MEAN STREETS BEAT – Eric Allison (Contemporary/1996)
A LOOK WITHIN – Javon Jackson (Blue Note/1996)
ORGANIC GROOVES – Essence All Stars (Hip Bop Essence/1996)
SOUL MATES – Terry Myers (Contemporary/1995)
MATING CALL – The Chartbusters (Prestige/1995)
BOILING POINT – Melton Mustafa Orchestra (Contemporary/1995)
HITTIN’ THE JUG – Turk Mauro (Milestone/1995)
STRUTTIN’ – Ron Holloway (Milestone/1995)
CHARTBUSTERS VOLUME 1 – Chartbusters (NYC/1995)
THE BLUE NOTE YEARS VOLUME SEVEN: BLUE NOTE NOW AS THEN (Blue Note/1994)
ROUND THE OUTSIDE – Olaf Kübler (RUM LK/1994)
SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY – Lou Donaldson (Columbia/1994)
PLAY THE RIGHT THING – Lou Donaldson (Milestone/1993)
CARACAS – Lou Donaldson (Milestone/1993)
SECRET AGENT MEN – Secret Agent Men (Akira Tana) (Paddle Wheel/Sons of Sound – 1992)
GOTO – Teruo Goto and the Harlem Art Ensemble (Ninety-One/1992)
NATIVE SON – Gerry Eastman (Williamsburg Music Center/1992)
LIVE JAM – Jazz Funk Masters featuring Lonnie Smith (P-Vine/1992)
COME ON DOWN – Jimmy Ponder (Muse/1990)
LIVE IN NEW YORK – The Harlem Art Ensemble (Explore/1990)
REMEMBERING WES – Richie Hart (Compose/1988-89)
BACK TO BECK – Joe Beck (DMP/1988)
TO REACH A DREAM – Jimmy Ponder (Muse/1988)
IN A JAZZ TRADITION – Eric Gale (EmArcy/1987)
CHARLIE KARP & THE NAME DROPPERS (Grudge/1987)
LIVE AT THE BLUE NOTE – Ronnie Cuber (ProJazz/1985)
STATE OF THE ART – Jimmy McGriff (Milestone/1985)
LABOR OF LOVE – Dave Hubbard (Sybarite Music/1985)
SO MANY STARS – Jimmy Ponder (Milestone/1984)
IN THE BLACK – Monty Guy (Evertone/1984)
LIVE IN MONTREUX 1980 – Marvin Gaye (Eagle/1980)
B. BAKER CHOCOLATE CO. – B. Baker Chocolate Co. (LRC/1979)
BENSON BURNER – George Benson (Columbia/Issued 1976)
RISING SUN – Teruo Nakamura (Polydor/1976)
Lou Donaldson (unissued/1975)
PRETTY THINGS – Lou Donaldson (Blue Note/1970)
EVERYTHING I PLAY IS FUNKY – Lou Donaldson (Blue Note/1970)
MIDNIGHT CREEPER – Lou Donaldson (Blue Note/1968)
MR. SHING-A-LING – Lou Donaldson (Blue Note/1967)
ALLIGATOR BOOGALOO – Lou Donaldson (Blue Note/1967)
THE GEORGE BENSON COOKBOOK – George Benson Quartet (Columbia/1966-67)
IT’S UPTOWN – George Benson Quartet (Columbia/1966)
RED SOUL – Red Holloway (Prestige/1965)
Clips (more may be added)
We use the mathematics of the small world phenomenon to transform the creative universe into a creative village wherein all are connected by short pathways to all... (Wolfram explains how above)
This Integrated Global Creative Economy uncoils from a sprawling Indigenous, African, Sephardic and then Ashkenazic, Arabic, European, Asian cultural matrix...
Great culture is great power.
"Thanks, this is a brilliant idea!!"
—Alicia Svigals (NEW YORK CITY): Apotheosis of klezmer violinists
"Dear Sparrow: I am thrilled to receive your email! Thank you for including me in this wonderful matrix."
—Susan Rogers (BOSTON): Director of the Berklee Music Perception and Cognition Laboratory ... Former personal recording engineer for Prince; "Purple Rain", "Sign o' the Times", "Around the World in a Day"
"Dear Sparrow, Many thanks for this – I am touched!"
—Julian Lloyd Webber (LONDON): Premier cellist in UK; brother of Andrew (Evita, Jesus Christ Superstar, Cats, Phantom of the Opera...)
"This is super impressive work ! Congratulations ! Thanks for including me :)))"
—Clarice Assad (RIO DE JANEIRO/CHICAGO): Pianist and composer with works performed by Yo Yo Ma and orchestras around the world
"We appreciate you including Kamasi in the matrix, Sparrow."
—Banch Abegaze (LOS ANGELES): manager, Kamasi Washington
"Thanks! It looks great!....I didn't write 'Cantaloupe Island' though...Herbie Hancock did! Great Page though, well done! best, Randy"
Our Matrix was conceived under a Spiritus Mundi ranging from the quilombos and senzalas of Cachoeira and Santo Amaro to Havana and the provinces of Cuba to the wards of New Orleans to the South Side of Chicago to the sidewalks of Harlem to the townships of South Africa to the villages of Ireland to the Roma camps of France and Belgium to the Vienna of Beethoven to the shtetls of Eastern Europe...*
Sodré
*...in conversation with Raymundo Sodré, who summed up the irony in this sequence by opining for the ages: "Where there's misery, there's music!" Hence A Massa, anthem for the trod-upon folk of Brazil, which blasted from every radio between the Amazon and Brazil's industrial south until...
And hence a platform whereupon all creators tend to accessible proximity to all other creators, irrespective of degree of fame, location, or the censor.
Matrix Ground Zero is the Recôncavo, bewitching and bewitched, contouring the resplendent Bay of All Saints (end of clip below, before credits), absolute center of terrestrial gravity for the disembarkation of enslaved human beings (and for the sublimity these people created), the bay presided over by Brazil's ineffable Black Rome (where Bule Bule is seated below, around the corner from where we built this matrix as an extension of our record shop).
Assis Valente's (of Santo Amaro, Bahia) "Brasil Pandeiro" filmed by Betão Aguiar
Betão Aguiar
("Black Rome" is an appellation per Caetano, via Mãe Aninha of Ilê Axé Opô Afonjá.)
Replete with Brazilian greatness, but we listened to Miles Davis and Jimmy Cliff in there too; visitors are David Dye & Kim Junod for NPR/WXPN
I opened the shop in Salvador, Bahia in 2005 in order to create an outlet to the wider world for magnificent Brazilian musicians.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar found us (he's a huge jazz fan), David Byrne, Oscar Castro-Neves... Spike Lee walked past the place while I was sitting on the stoop across the street drinking beer and listening to samba from the speaker in the window...
But we weren't exactly easy for the world-at-large to get to. So in order to extend the place's ethos I transformed the site associated with it into a network wherein Brazilian musicians I knew would recommend other Brazilian musicians, who would recommend others...
And as I anticipated, the chalky hand of God-as-mathematician intervened: In human society — per the small-world phenomenon — most of the billions of us on earth are within some 6 or fewer degrees of each other. Likewise, within a network of interlinked artists as I've described above, most of these artists will in the same manner be at most a handful of steps away from each other.
So then, all that's necessary to put the Brazilians within possible purview of the wide wide world is to include them among a wide wide range of artists around that world.
If, for example, Quincy Jones is inside the matrix, then anybody on his page — whether they be accessing from a campus in L.A., a pub in Dublin, a shebeen in Cape Town, a tent in Mongolia — will be close, transitable steps away from Raymundo Sodré, even if they know nothing of Brazil and are unaware that Sodré sings/dances upon this planet. Sodré, having been knocked from the perch of fame and ground into anonymity by Brazil's dictatorship, has now the alternative of access to the world-at-large via recourse to the vast potential of network theory.
...to the degree that other artists et al — writers, researchers, filmmakers, painters, choreographers...everywhere — do also. Artificial intelligence not required. Real intelligence, yes.
The deep roots of this project are in Manhattan, where Allen Klein (managed the Beatles and The Rolling Stones) called me about royalties for the estate of Sam Cooke... where Jerry Ragovoy (co-wrote Time is On My Side, sung by the Stones; Piece of My Heart, Janis Joplin of course; and Pata Pata, sung by the great Miriam Makeba) called me looking for unpaid royalties... where I did contract and licensing for Carlinhos Brown's participation on Bahia Black with Wayne Shorter and Herbie Hancock...
...where I rescued unpaid royalties for Aretha Franklin (from Atlantic Records), Barbra Streisand (from CBS Records), Led Zeppelin, Mongo Santamaria, Gilberto Gil, Astrud Gilberto, Airto Moreira, Jim Hall, Wah Wah Watson (Melvin Ragin), Ray Barretto, Philip Glass, Clement "Sir Coxsone" Dodd for his interest in Bob Marley compositions, Cat Stevens/Yusuf Islam and others...
...where I worked with Earl "Speedo" Carroll of the Cadillacs (who went from doo-wopping as a kid on Harlem streetcorners to top of the charts to working as a janitor at P.S. 87 in Manhattan without ever losing what it was that made him special in the first place), and with Jake and Zeke Carey of The Flamingos (I Only Have Eyes for You)... stuff like that.
Yeah this is Bob's first record contract, made with Clement "Sir Coxsone" Dodd of Studio One and co-signed by his aunt because he was under 21. I took it to Black Rock to argue with CBS' lawyers about the royalties they didn't want to pay (they paid).
Matrix founding creators are behind "one of 10 of the best (radios) around the world", per The Guardian.
Salvador is our base. If you plan to visit Bahia, there are some things you should probably know and you should first visit:
www.salvadorbahiabrazil.comAcross the creative universe... For another list, reload page.
This list is random, and incomplete. Reload the page for another list.
Wolfram MathWorld
Ex Terra Brasilis
Alicia Svigals
Susan Rogers
Julian Lloyd Webber
Clarice Assad
Kamasi Washington
Randy Brecker
Roberto Mendes
Luciano Calazans
Gustavo Caribé
J Velloso
Lázaro Ramos
Fernando Guerreiro
Maria Marighella
Russell Okung
Bule Bule
Caetano Veloso
RÁDIO MATRIX