CORY WEEDS QUINTET featuring DR. LONNIE SMITH

DR. LONNIE SMITH

The Cory Weeds Quintet 
featuring Dr. Lonnie Smith

Internationally renowned Hammond B3 Master with Vancouver’s hottest Jazz Ensemble

“Dr Lonnie is a monster!  He's all over the B-3, like it's an extension of his being, which in a way it is.  And The Cory Weeds Quintet not only keeps up with him, they sometimes lead the way, and you can see the good doctor's delight when they play together.  This is one collaboration you can't miss”                                                                                  Paul Grant-CBC Vancouver

Dr. Lonnie Smith is internationally known as one of the premier jazz keyboardists in the history of the idiom. A dominant talent and pace-setting proponent of the Hammond B3 Organ, Lonnie has been at the forefront of the jazz scene since 1969 when he was named Top Organist by Downbeat.From his early years with George Benson to present-day performances and recordings, Lonnie has acquired critical acclaim for his brilliant work in the jazz world. He earned the moniker "Dr." from his fellow musicians as a tribute to his ability to 'doctor up' their music when they had problems.

Cory Weeds first collaborated with legendary Hammond B3 Organist, Dr. Lonnie Smith in September 2003. That year they played four sold out shows at The Cellar Restaurant / Jazz Club and to over 1,500 people at The Central City Jazz Festival.  One of the nights resulted in a live CD on Cellar Live called “The Dr. Is In”. The band also toured of the Pacific Northwest including stops at The Blue Monk in Portland, The Triple Door in Seattle, a sold out performance at The Commodore at The Vancouver Jazz Festival (1200 people), three sold out shows at The Cellar and played to over 5,000 people at the outdoor stage in Gastown. (As part of the Vancouner International jazz Festival)  Other stops have included The Victoria Jazz Festival, Kelowna, BC and Nelson, BC, The Beatniq in Calgary, AB, The Yardbird Suite in Edmonton, Jazzbones in Tacoma and Key City Theatre in Cranbrook.  The group also had dates at the Top Of The Senator in Toronto and Café Campus in Montreal for in the Spring of 2005.

“Organist Dr. Lonnie Smith has a soul-jazz résumé that is deliciously populated with such colorful names as Fathead Newman, Dizzy Gillespie, King Curtis, and Blue Mitchell among others. Sitting at his Hammond B-3 clad in his trademark turban and satin-flamed outfits (looking like one ultra pukkha sahib), Smith's presence is as arresting as his music-a combustible blend of righteous funk and greasy boogaloo”                                   Tim DuRoche, Willamette Week, Portland

Cory Weeds Quintet is:

Dr. Lonnie Smith: Hammond B3 Organ

Dr. Lonnie Smith is internationally known as one of the premier jazz keyboardists in the history of the idiom. A dominant talent and pace-setting proponent of the Hammond B3 Organ, Lonnie has been at the forefront of the jazz scene since 1969 when he was named Top Organist by Downbeat.From his early years with George Benson to present-day performances and recordings, Lonnie has acquired critical acclaim for his brilliant work in the jazz world. He earned the moniker "Dr." from his fellow musicians as a tribute to his ability to 'doctor up' their music when they had problems.

Cory Weeds: alto saxophone

Weeds has shared the stage with the likes of alto saxophonist Charles McPherson, vibraphonist Buddy Montgomery, pianist Don Thompson and Hammond B3 organist Lonnie Smith.  Weeds’ signature sound and high intensity improvising make him a unique voice on the alto saxophone.

Bill Coon: guitar

Bill Coon has been performing for 20 years and began his musical career in Montreal where he was a member of the Andre White Band. As well, Bill was a member of Jennifer Bell and Bill Mahar's Altsys Jazz Orchestra and collaborated with guitarist-vocalist Dawn Thomson. He also performed with his own jazz trio that included at various times Andre White, Alec Walkington and Pete Magadini. Coon moved to Vancouver in 1995 with his wife, Jill Townsend, trombonist/ composer to work with Denzal Sinclaire on the story of Nat King Cole "Unforgettable". His long-time musical partnership with Sinclaire has produced three CD recordings, a number of television specials, several radio shows and many performances throughout Canada.

Ross Taggart: tenor saxophone, piano

Ross Taggart has been an important part of the Vancouver jazz scene since 1985. He has played piano and tenor saxophone for audiences in Canada, the United States, Cuba, South America, and Europe. Ross spent two years studying in New York City with saxophone legends George Coleman, Clifford Jordan and J.R. Monterose. He has also studied in Toronto with great Canadian pianists Don Thompson and Bernie Senensky. He has done several recordings for both English and French CBC radio and television. Ross has been featured on numerous recordings with, among others, Hugh Fraser, Ian McDougall, Charles McPherson, as well as four CDs as a leader. Ross' debut recording, Ross Taggart & Co. has received critical acclaim and was nominated for best jazz album from the West Coast Music Awards in 1999.

Bernie Arai: drums, percussion

Bernie has become one of the most sought-after drummers on the Vancouver jazz scene.  His versatility has enabled him to lend his talents to many different projects in various different genres of jazz such as Sekoya, Wabi (a duo with pianist Chris Gestrin) and The Sharon Minemoto Quintet.  Bernie has a performed with Brian Lynch, Kenny Wheeler, Dr. Lonnie Smith and Oliver Gannon to name a few.