Kineo E-Learning Sponsors Dr Lonnie Smith Jazz Event
Kineo is delighted to announce that the legendary Dr Lonnie Smith will be performing at the next Kineo Jazz event at The Basement in Brighton on 18th June 2011.
Dr Lonnie Smith is a legend on the Hammond B3 organ, well known for his funky, passionate playing, who has kept stellar company with the likes of George Benson, Randy Brecker, Lee Morgan, King Curtis, Joe Lovano, Grover Washington Jr., and Dizzy Gillespie. Kineo Jazz is delighted to host the Dr. Lonnie Smith Trio en route to Ronnie Scott’s later in June.
Dr. Lonnie Smith is an authentic Master of the Hammond B3 organ. For over five decades he has furthered the sound of Jazz Organ, created a worldwide fan-base, and revealed his musical talents on over seventy albums. Today, his name is truly synonymous with the instrument.
Jazz Times magazine recently described him as “a riddle wrapped in an enigma wrapped in a turban!” This kind of description suggests the level of complexity that he exhibits in his music and the pure amazement that it elicits.
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.
Lonnie first gigs were played at Buffalo's hottest club, The Pine Grill where he quickly came to the attention of musicians Jack McDuff, Lou Donaldson, George Benson and the agent Jimmy Boyd—who signed Smith to record with Grant Green. Soon after he moved to NYC and began playing regularly in George Benson's Quartet. His reputation as a self-schooled innovator grew rapidly during his tenure with Benson, and eventually Smith went on to make his first recording as a leader on Columbia Records. After performing with Lou Donaldson and recording the seminal jazz gem “Alligator Boogaloo”, Smith was signed to Blue Note Records.
During the past decade there has been a resurgence of interest in the Hammond B3 and Dr. Smith has been amused to find himself sampled in rap, dance and house grooves while being credited as a forefather of Acid Jazz. His recent critically acclaimed recording of pop star Beck’s tunes, including “Loser,” has secured his relevance with yet another generation of music fans. When questioned about his consistent interest in music some consider outside the jazz mainstream, Lonnie says, “Jazz is American Classical, and this music is a reflection of what’s happening at the time.”
Tickets are £20 and can be purchased in advance online from www.kineojazz.com or from the Dome Booking Office, 29 New Road 01273 709709.
The Venue
The Basement is rapidly establishing itself as one of Brighton’s leading arts venues, it is an atmospheric space at The Argus Lofts in the North Laine.
"The basement is a great jazz venue – brick walls and black curtains softened by red table lights and a sense of space compared with many cramped Brighton venues”
– Excerpt from Terry Walker's review of Liane Carroll at Kineo Jazz from The Argus.
KineoJazz
Kineo has been sponsoring a series of jazz evenings at The Basement for the last few years. Performing artists have included Claire Martin, Joe Lee Wilson, Sue Richardson and Liane Carroll. www.kineojazz.com