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A Tribute to Dr. Lonnie Smith
ByI had the great pleasure of attending a tribute to Dr. Lonnie Smith (June 6, 2022) at the Chelsea Table + Stage club in New York City. The tribute was organized by Holly Case, Smith's longtime manager, and partner. It featured a stellar group of musicians, including Johnathan Blake and Jonathan Kreisberg, his most durable musical partners in the last decade of his life. Blake emceed the event and perfectly set the tone of reverence and humor. Other musicians who participated in the event included Joe Lovano, Peter Bernstein, Allison Miller, Darrell Green, Bill Saxton, Richie Hart, Will Bernard, John Ellis, Greg Skaff, and Jason W. Marshall. They all played with Smith at some point in his career. To quote Joe Lovano, "Having Lonnie's embrace in my early 20s was a springboard into my future on the scene. He was my mentor and a true inspiration through the years." The event featured several outstanding organists, all of whom were influenced by the great master, including Will Blades, Pat Bianchi, Brian Charette and Mike LeDonne.
There were many musical highlights, including a fiery opening featuring Blake, Kreisberg, and Blades; Impressions performed by Lovano, Bernstein, Charette, and Miller; a blistering blues led by guitarist Hart with Blades and Green. The finale featured a performance of "Pilgrimage," one of Smith's signature compositions that he has recorded a few times over the years. It also appears on his final album, Breathe and includes lyrics by Lynne Merryl Koenigsberg and lovely vocals by Alicia Olatuja. In the event finale, Olatuja was featured on a drop-dead gorgeous version of the gospel-tinged song, which speaks to better times and new beginnings.
In addition to the musical performances, there were spoken tributes to the great master. The speeches paid homage to his musicianship, humanity, and devotion to his friends. There were great stories, many of which were both moving and hilarious. Smith was singularly unique, and his legacy will live on perpetually.
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About Dr. Lonnie Smith
Instrument: Organ, Hammond B3
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In Pictures
Dave Kaufman
United States
New York
New York City
Dr. Lonnie Smith
Dan Bilawsky
Jonathan Kreisberg
Johnathan Blake
Alecia Olatuja
Don Was
joe lovano
Peter Bernstein
Allison Miller
Darrell Green
Bill Saxton
Richie Hart
Will Bernard
John Ellis
Greg Skaff
Jason Marshall
Will Blades
Pat Bianchi
Brian Charette
Mike LeDonne