Dr. Lonnie Smith, the supreme jazz organist and one of the last of a generation of ’60s stars on that instrument, is plenty talkative when I reach him at his Florida home in advance of his April 1 show at the Boulder Theater. He’s quick to chat about a wide range of subjects, including the musical instrument apps he’d like to download to his iPhone, and his preference for the comedic style of Larry David. But when it comes to his mythic persona, from the (fictional?) “Dr.” designation to the turban he always sports on stage, he remains stubbornly elusive.
“You will not get an answer,” he says with a tone of mock anger at being harassed with the same old questions. “I can read your mind. I knew what you were going to ask me.”
There’s a beat of uncomfortable silence.
Then he laughs uncontrollably for 30 seconds, and it’s on to other topics.
Smith has plenty to chuckle about these days. At 66, he’s reached a certain kind of jazz elder statesmanship, but he’s young enough to actively enjoy it. His new CD, “Rise Up!” is the latest in a line of finely crafted releases for the acclaimed Palmetto label, and at its best, which is often, it recalls the freewheeling energy of the records he made for the Blue Note label 40 years ago.
“When you recorded in those days, you didn’t think it would sustain all those years,” he says. “Young people are calling from all over Europe. They’re interested in that particular sound.”
“That particular sound” has essentially remained unchanged, other than Smith’s flirtation with an arsenal of synthesizers in the ’70s (“I had so many synthesizers, it was pathetic,” he adds.) Like other organists, Smith exudes that sense of the spiritual that comes from the church. He adds entertaining twists to the standard Hammond B3 presentation, like his bizarre, guttural vocals on the cover of the Beatles’ “Come Together” on the new CD.
“I always hum when I play anyway,” he says. “I was just having fun; it (recording the vocalizations) wasn’t planned.”
He resorts back to that long laugh when I suggest he record a disc dedicated to his unique approach to singing. Actually, a CD with that laugh layered over his mesmerizing instrumental chops might move some units, too. But Smith isn’t interested in the quick buck at this stage of his career.
“I just love music that feels good to me. Like a vocalist, it has to mean something. I don’t play a tune thinking, ‘This is going to be a hit tune.’ ”
But with a little more recognition, there’s no reason to believe that the man known as The Turbanator couldn’t make a dent in the album charts. He’s earned his status, and he is a doctor, after all. I think.
Dr. Lonnie Smith Trio, April 1 at 8 p.m., Boulder Theater, 2032 14th St., Boulder. Tickets are $29-34.50. Call 303-786 7030.
Set list.
JazzFest Denver concludes at Dazzle today, with vocalist Kurt Elling, Convergence and the Colorado Conservatory for the Jazz Arts. The music starts at 2 p.m. Find out more at jazzfestdenver . . . . Guitarist Will Bernard promotes his new “Blue Plate Special” CD with star organist John Medeski on Monday at the Fox Theatre. . . . On Wednesday at the Paramount Theatre it’s the anticipated regional appearance by the all star 5 Peace Band with keyboardist Chick Corea, guitarist John McLaughlin, saxophonist Kenny Garrett, bassist Christian McBride and drummer Vinnie Colaiuta. . . . Dotsero holds court at Jazz@Jacks Thursday through Saturday.
Bret Saunders’ column on jazz appears every other Sunday in A&E. Saunders is host of the “KBCO Morning Show,” 5:30-10 a.m. weekdays at 97.3-FM. His e-mail address is bret_saunders@hotmail.com.
