Finger Lickin' Good

Description

Lonnie Smith (1942 – 2021) was an American jazz organist. He was part of several vocal groups in the 1950s, including the Teen Kings, which featured Grover Washington Jr. Art Kubera, the owner of a local music store, gave Smith his first organ, a Hammond B3. Smith's affinity for R&B blended with his own personal style as he became active in the local music scene. In 1965, he met guitarist George Benson. The two formed a personal bond and established the George Benson Quartet, with Lonnie Smith, in 1966. After two albums under Benson's direction, Smith recorded his first solo album 'Finger Lickin' Good (Soul Organ)' with George Benson and Melvin Sparks on guitar, Ronnie Cuber on baritone saxophone, and Marion Booker on drums. This lineup remained stable over the next five years. After recording several albums with Benson, Smith became a solo artist and went on to record more than 30 albums under his own name. Many leading jazz artists joined Smith on his albums and in his live performances, including Lee Morgan, David "Fathead" Newman, King Curtis, Blue Mitchell, and Joe Lovano. The album 'Finger Lickin' Good (Soul Organ)' showcases Lonnie Smith's virtuosity and his innovative approach to the organ, featuring tracks that highlight complex solos and groovy rhythms typical of soul jazz and jazz funk genres. Lonnie Smith was named "Best Organist of the Year" nine times by the Jazz Journalists Association.