TRIBUTE TO DR. LONNIE SMITH

Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro, New Orleans

Dr. Lonnie Smith came of age during the musical golden era in New York City of the 1960s. He was known for many years as a prominent player with George Benson and Lou Donaldson, among many others, and as a Blue Note Records artist. But he was also the proprietor of his own imprint, Pilgrimage Records, and perhaps most importantly, influenced and inspired countless musicians as a Hammond B3 Organ alchemist. 

Dr. Lonnie applied the deep, full, warm analog glow of the big B3 to music stylings that few, if any, had done before. A true virtuoso of his instrument and his craft, he traversed genre schools and was revered as a mentor by many artists who have been touched by his quiet focus and immense, inviting stretch. 

Smith became a close friend of Snug Harbor in the 1990s when he began performing regularly at the club. New Orleans Jazz Fest time always meant a few sold-out shows with The Good Doctor, but perhaps even more special were his intimate concerts at our little place not during Jazz Fest season, and all of the collaborations with several of our beloved New Orleans musicians, such as Donald Harrison Jr. and Joe Dyson. 

It so happens that Dr. Lonnie's last live performance before his passing on September 28th, 2021, was here at Snug, during our traditional winter holidays series with Dr. Lonnie Smith & Friends on December 28th, 2019, just before the onset of the 2020 pandemic. So now, we pay homage to Dr. Lonnie each year between Christmas and New Year's, as was his tradition to play here during the winter holiday season, by hosting our annual tribute concert in his honor. 

Dr. Lonnie's spirit will always have a special home here at Snug, and tonight, we honor his legacy with a night of organ-led music in homage to his influence, with members of his personal family and management in attendance. 

 

Davell Crawford – B3 organ 

Joe Krown – B3 organ 

Kyle Roussel – B3 organ  

with 

Detroit Brooks – guitar 

Joe Dyson – drums   

+ special guest 

Doors at 7:00pm & 9:30pm. 

Restaurant is Open 6pm – 10pm for dinner before or after your showtime:

Advance Ticket Holders can now automatically make dinner table reservations for the Dining Room online via OpenTable.com here ! 

Advance Ticket-Holders can also make table reservations for dinner by Emailing info@snugjazz.com after your tickets have been purchased online. All dinner table reservations must be attached to advance concert tickets. Dinner Service without Advance Concert Tickets is first-come, first-served based on availability upon arrival. 

Full Bar is Open 6pm – Midnight for all, on show nights, with or without tickets. 

Kind Reminder:  Snug Harbor does not serve food inside the Music Room. In order to preserve the integrity, quiet and focus of our world class intimate concerts, only cocktails and soft drinks are available for table service inside the Music Room. However, we encourage you to arrive 90 Minutes prior to your showtime in order to enjoy full, relaxing dinner service in the Dining Room right next door, before getting seated in the Music Room for the show. 8pm ticket holders can also enjoy dinner, dessert or appetizers after the show, with Dining Room seating only guaranteed by submitting your table request before 8pm. 

 As announced by the City of New Orleans, as of March 24th, Snug Harbor is no longer requiring valid proof of Covid vaccination or negative test for entry, and while masks are still suggested when not actively eating or drinking indoors, they are now optional for all. We are also now seating at just under our regular audience capacity. 

However, with our intimate venue's regularly limited seating capacity, advance tickets are still strongly suggested in order to guarantee seats for this special show!