Miami Dade College’s Jazz at Wolfson Presents Hammond B-3 Organist Dr. Lonnie Smith
Dr. Lonnie Smith will play Jazz at Wolfson Presents on Feb. 20
Miami, February 4, 2013 - Miami Dade College's (MDC) Arts and Philosophy department continues its successful jazz series, Jazz at Wolfson Presents, at noon on Wednesday, Feb. 20, featuring Hammond B-3 organist Dr. Lonnie Smith.
Musician, composer, performer, and recording artist Dr. Lonnie Smith has been a master of the Hammond B-3 organ for more than five decades. Born in Buffalo, N.Y., he was immersed in gospel, blues, jazz, singing, and playing the trumpet in his teens. In the late ’50s, music storeowner Art Kubera encouraged him to take up a Hammond organ, with which he found his musical voice.
The “Doctor’s” first gigs were at Buffalo’s hottest jazz club, the Pine Grill. He worked alongside George Benson, whose quartet relocated to New York City, where they quickly earned a reputation as “jazz innovators”. In 1966, Smith made his first recording as a leader with Finger Lickin’ Good. Shortly thereafter, he was scooped up by saxophonist Lou Donaldson, with whom he appeared on Blue Note LPs, including the million-seller, Alligator Boogaloo.
Smith also has recorded for a slew of labels and worked on everything from covers of the Beatles to tribute albums for Jimi Hendrix. Jazz Times magazine describes him as “a riddle wrapped in an enigma wrapped in a turban.” It is no wonder his fan base is worldwide.
“Dr. Smith may be the last of a dying breed,” says series director and MDC professor Dr. Michael Di Liddo. “The B-3 organ was an important part of the 1950s and ‘60s prolific jazz scene and Dr. Smith was an important part of that time. The students will experience a musical performance unlike anything else today.”
MDC’s Jazz at Wolfson Presents features live performances that run monthly from September through April. The concerts are free and open to the public.
Miami Dade College’s Jazz at Wolfson Presents Hammond B-3 organist Dr. Lonnie Smith.
- WHEN:
Wednesday, Feb. 20, 12:00 PM - 1:15 PM
- WHERE: MDC Wolfson Campus Auditorium
300 N.E. Second Ave., Room 1261
- COST: Free
For more information, please contact Dr. Michael Di Liddo at 305-237-3930.
Media-only contacts:
Juan Mendieta, 305-237-7611, jmendiet@mdc.edu, MDC communications director
Sue Arrowsmith, 305-237-3710, sue.arrowsmith@mdc.edu, media specialist
Kai Hill, 305-237-3359, khill1@mdc.edu, media specialist
Alejandro Rios, 305-237-7482, arios1@mdc.edu