Lonnie Liston Smith facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lonnie Liston Smith
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Smith performing at Glastonbury in 2009
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| Background information | |
| Born | December 28, 1940 Richmond, Virginia, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
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| Years active | 1960s–present |
Lonnie Liston Smith Jr. (born December 28, 1940) is an American musician. He plays jazz, soul, and funk music. Lonnie played with famous jazz artists like Pharoah Sanders and Miles Davis. Later, he started his own band, Lonnie Liston Smith and the Cosmic Echoes. They made many popular albums in styles like fusion, smooth jazz, and acid jazz.
Contents
Lonnie Liston Smith's Musical Journey
Early Life and Music Beginnings
Lonnie Liston Smith Jr. was born in Richmond, Virginia, USA. He grew up in a family that loved music. His father was part of a Gospel music group called The Harmonizing Four. Lonnie remembers famous groups visiting his home when he was a child.
He learned to play the piano, tuba, and trumpet in school. In 1961, he earned a degree in music education. Lonnie was inspired by jazz legends like Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, and Miles Davis. As a teenager, he became known for his piano playing and singing in Baltimore. He often played with other young musicians.
Playing with Jazz Greats
In 1963, Lonnie moved to New York City. He played piano for singer Betty Carter for a year. In 1965, he joined Roland Kirk's band. He recorded his first album with them, Here Comes the Whistleman.
Later in 1965, Lonnie joined Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers. This group was a training ground for many young jazz musicians. It was a place where new ideas in jazz were explored. Lonnie also played with drummer Max Roach for a year.
In 1968, Lonnie joined Pharoah Sanders' band. Sanders was known for his free jazz style. Lonnie played on important albums like Karma and Thembi. During this time, Lonnie started trying out electric keyboards. He discovered the Fender Rhodes electric piano in the studio. He wrote his first song on it, called "Astral Traveling." This song made him famous for his electric piano sound.
Lonnie also played with Gato Barbieri from 1971 to 1973. Barbieri mixed his jazz with sounds from South America. This influenced Lonnie's music. In 1972, Lonnie joined Miles Davis' band. Miles Davis wanted him to learn to play the organ. Lonnie's playing can be heard on Miles Davis' albums On The Corner and Big Fun.
The Cosmic Echoes and Solo Success
In 1973, Lonnie started his own band, 'Lonnie Liston Smith and the Cosmic Echoes'. The band blended jazz fusion, soul, and funk. Their first album was Astral Traveling. It included a new version of his song "Astral Traveling."
The next year, Lonnie's brother, Donald, joined the band as a singer. Their music became more like smooth jazz and jazz funk. Lonnie's songs often had peaceful messages. He wanted to "expand the consciousness of humanity" through his music.
This new style became very popular. Albums like Expansions (1974), Visions of a New World (1975), and Reflections of a Golden Dream (1976) became favorites. They are still loved by DJs and fans of jazz-funk today.
In 1978, Lonnie signed with Columbia Records. He released Loveland and Exotic Mysteries. The song "Space Princess" from Exotic Mysteries became a big hit in clubs. It was co-written by 16-year-old Marcus Miller, who later became a famous musician.
Later Career and New Audiences
After the 1970s, Lonnie continued to make music. He had a small hit in 1983 called "Never Too Late." He also performed with Marvin Gaye at the 1980 Montreux Jazz Festival.
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Lonnie released albums like Love Goddess and Magic Lady. These albums returned to his smooth jazz style.
Around this time, hip-hop artists became interested in Lonnie's older music. He worked with rapper Guru on his album Jazzmatazz, Vol. 1 (1993). This helped Lonnie find new fans. His music was also used in video games like Grand Theft Auto: Vice City and Driver: Parallel Lines.
Lonnie continues to perform live, especially in Europe and Japan. He also teaches music workshops. In 2023, he released his first new recording in 25 years, called "JID017."
Lonnie Liston Smith and the Cosmic Echoes Albums
- 1973 Astral Traveling (Flying Dutchman)
- 1974 Cosmic Funk (RCA/Flying Dutchman)
- 1974 Expansions (RCA/Flying Dutchman)
- 1975 Visions of a New World (RCA/Flying Dutchman)
- 1976 Reflections of a Golden Dream (RCA/Flying Dutchman)
- 1977 Renaissance (RCA Victor)
- 1977 Live! (RCA Victor)
- 1978 Loveland (Columbia)
- 1978 Exotic Mysteries (Columbia)
- 1979 A Song for the Children (Columbia)
- 1980 Love Is the Answer (Columbia)
- 1983 Dreams of Tomorrow (Doctor Jazz)
- 1984 Silhouettes (Doctor Jazz)
- 1985 Rejuvenation (Doctor Jazz)
Other Albums by Lonnie Liston Smith
- 1986 Make Someone Happy (Doctor Jazz)
- 1990 Love Goddess (Startrak/Arista)
- 1991 Magic Lady (Startrak)
- 1998 Transformation (Loveland/Ichiban/EMI)
- 2023 Lonnie Liston Smith JID017 (Jazz is Dead)
Albums Lonnie Liston Smith Appeared On
Lonnie Liston Smith played on many albums by other artists. Here are some of them:
- With Gato Barbieri
- The Third World (Flying Dutchman, 1969)
- Fenix (Flying Dutchman, 1971)
- El Pampero (Flying Dutchman, 1971)
- Under Fire (Flying Dutchman, 1971)
- Bolivia (Flying Dutchman, 1973)
- El Gato (RCA/Flying Dutchman, 1975)
- With Miles Davis
- Big Fun (Columbia, 1974)
- The Complete On The Corner Sessions (Columbia/Legacy, 2007)
- With Karl Denson
- The Bridge (Relaxed, 2002)
- With Marvin Gaye
- Live in Montreux 1980 (Eagle, 1980 [2002]) DVD/CD
- With Roland Kirk
- Here Comes the Whistleman (Atlantic, 1965)
- A Meeting of the Times (Atlantic, 1965) with Al Hibbler
- Now Please Don't You Cry, Beautiful Edith (Verve, 1967)
- With Oliver Nelson
- Skull Session (Flying Dutchman, 1975)
- With Pharoah Sanders
- Izipho Zam (My Gifts) (Strata-East, 1969 [1973])
- Karma (Impulse!, 1969)
- Jewels of Thought (Impulse!, 1969)
- Deaf Dumb Blind (Summun Bukmun Umyun) (Impulse!, 1970)
- Thembi (Impulse!, 1971)
- With Huey Simmons
- Burning Spirits (Contemporary, 1971)
- With Bob Thiele
- Mysterious Flying Orchestra (RCA, 1977)
- With Leon Thomas
- Spirits Known and Unknown (Flying Dutchman, 1969)
- With Stanley Turrentine
- Sugar (CTI, 1970)
See also
In Spanish: Lonnie Liston Smith para niños
