Lonnie Smith

Lonnie Smith (born July 3, 1942) is an American jazz and soul-jazz organist and organ trio bandleader. He is best known for his recordings on the Blue Note label in the late 1960s and 1970s.

Lonnie Smith is considered to be one of the most influential Hammond B-3 organists in jazz. His albums from the late 1960s and early 1970s have been widely praised and sampled by hip-hop producers. He has recorded over 40 albums since his debut in 1966 and has worked with numerous jazz greats including George Benson, Grover Washington, Jr., and Stanley Turrentine.

Some of Smith's standout albums include Turning Point (1969), Drives (1970), All in My Mind (1972), Move Your Hand (1973), Finger Lickin' Good (1975), and Live at Club Mozambique (1975). His songs include “Spinning Wheel”, “Psychedelic Pi”, “The Prophet”, “Turbulence”, “People Make the World Go Round”, “Livin' with the Blues”, and “Got Myself a Good Man”.

An interesting fact about Lonnie Smith is that he was inducted into the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame in 2010 for his contributions to the city's music scene.