The Jazz Orchestra of the Concert-gebouw, the JOC, is used to working with famous soloists originating from different directions in the industry. These soloists bring their own repertoire, that is arranged, prepped and performed in no time. In 2010, on a Thursday night in February, a unique concert took place in the Amsterdamse Bimhuis. Together with a living legend, Dr. Lonnie Smith, the group played a stunning concert. For the Sultan of the Hammond organ, a long-cherished desire to play with a big band was fulfilled. Most noticeable on Smith at this performance was his auditory memory and the lucid, varied sounds he managed to wrest his impressive B3. JOC knows how to expertly blend with Smith's timbre and his shouts. The orchestra can glow with sovereign intensity, sparkle and fire, but manages to also add to the expression that can be produced by the Hammond organ. This is an true tribute to soul jazz.
Issued by Kudu in '71, this crucial soul-jazz LP spent decades out of print. Backed by a rhythm section featuring Billy Cobham, Ron Carter and Airto, Lonnie's organ and clavinet and Grover Washington Jr..'s sax do battle on Mama Wailer; Hola Muneca; I Feel the Earth Move, and the amazing epic Stand !
Limited 180gm vinyl LP pressing. One of the funkiest and most inventive organists to ever walk the earth, Dr. Lonnie Smith made his name on Blue Note beginning with his 1968 label debut Think! Produced by Francis Wolff, the album featured trumpeter Lee Morgan, tenor saxophonist David Newman, guitarist Melvin Sparks, and drummer Marian Booker Jr., with Henry "Pucho" Brown, William Bivens, and Norberto Apellaniz adding percussion on two tracks. Groove is the thing on this session from the hard-driving opener "Song of Ice Bag".
