DownBeat Poll Winner Dr. Lonnie Smith Packs Apple Orchard

Medina, Sun. 5/15 Crates of people packed the Apple Orchard Inn to capacity last Sunday. They came from Buffalo, Rochester, Southern Tier NY, Canada and every where in between to see and hear Jazz icon, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Buffalo staples: Wendell Rivera’s Latin Jazz and Macy Favor plus 4, and the Albion High School Jazz Ensemble.

The adult musicians brought considerable educational and experiential credentials, and used up every one of them for the benefit of the 300+ fans.

Rev. Paul Letiecq, President of the festival producing charitable organization, the Albion-Orleans Visitor Center, introduced the 30 strong Albion kids. They played with a verve belying and an energy befitting their age. Scheduled for 45 minutes, they played for an hour and fifteen. None of the four groups could stop within the allotted time. They were having too much fun and the audience as well. First time attendee, former Orleans County Legislator Henry Smith exclaimed, “You folks have a wonderful product here.”

Dr. Ada Grabowski, Superintendent of Albion Schools was proud of her students (and former Albion student Aaron Robinson) with good reason. The Albion kids led off the fest with surprisingly precise ensemble work for a 30-piece group that practices once a week. The selections and arrangements were well chosen and executed. But most of all, music director Dale Smalley deserves much credit for giving the soloists the freedom and confidence to soar above the fine base the band laid down.

Contrasting ages, equal fire

Macy Favor’s group was the age contrast. All senior citizens and three times older than the Albion kids, they continued the spirited play and fire the youths had shown. Macy himself was startlingly assertive on his tenor sax, combining, if you can believe this, the depth of sound of a Ben Webster or David “Fathead” Newman, the confident push of Coleman Hawkins and often the creativity of John Coltrane. Can’t ask for more. And Billy Owens on drums: he sounded like 25, but with the knowledge of his 55 years. Trumpeter Stanley Day, played beautifully, his lip seemingly has not aged with the rest of his body.

“Light(s) up a room with visceral energy.”

He brings an unusually wide palette to bear on ballads and can hit a relaxed mid-tempo swing like no other. On stage he shapes songs on the spot the way a sculptor shapes clay into an elegant pot. With Lonnie it’s an eternal search for new voicings, fresh grooves and different approaches to old tunes.”  

Buffalo TV personality and music agent, Connie McEwen: “I was so thrilled to catch Dr. Lonnie Smith. I found him very entertaining and his playing absolutely mesmerizing. The rhythm section was also very impressive.”

Lonnie’s take on “Caravan” proved her points. Lonnie’s sighing, moaning and eerie intro became comprehensible when he got to the recognizable chords of the Juan Tizol-Duke Ellington classic. He and Mel and Aaron captured the expanse and barren loneliness of the desert, Aaron’s rimming entrancing and “on top.”

“We stayed until Lonnie and Michael brought the house down.” Leon “Corky” Zak had brought two of the 425 lb. “monsters,” Hammond B3’s. After 1½ hours of performing, Golden approached Lonnie about bringing on Corky for the dual B3 “jam.” “We’re not close to finished,” Lonnie loudly protested. “Hey, play until 4 a.m.,” Bob shouted for audience benefit.

“Awesome,” Dr. Grabowski described the event. She and Joe stayed through “until Dr. Lonnie, Michael (Bonafede -- drummer and Albion School Board President) and Corky (Zak – Mike’s brother) brought the house down.”

And they nearly did. Mike, so thoughtful and soft-spoken, behind the drums becomes a wildman. He took over for Aaron when brother Corky came on to jam. The stage shook with Mike’s ferocity. Corky was spastic with intensity. Aaron and next act leader Wendell Rivera brought out congas and joyfully joined the fray. They all did two extended blues numbers. Lonnie got so excited he lifted both hands in victory signs and played the last four notes with his nose. Dr. G continued, “The best live musical performance I’ve ever seen in this area.”

Youths ring stage to “experience” Lonnie

Anxious for the student musicians to have a close up experience of Dr. Lonnie Smith, festival music director, Bob Golden had invited the Albion high schoolers to bring the folding chairs out of the setup room and make a ring around the stage for Lonnie’s performance. Sophomore pianist James Madejski, who played a fine solo earlier, told “I loved it. Dr. Lonnie Smith was awesome (that word again). He put so much emotion into his playing. I loved all the performers. It was an all around great experience.” Junior trumpeter and newly elected band president Mike Levandowski, proclaimed it “sensational.”

Shondra Thomas, Lonnie’s daughter, a Buffalo police officer and singer, acknowledged, “Of course I loved my dad, but I enjoyed all the groups and both singers,” (Joyce Carolyn with Macy Favor and Janet Miller with Albion High).

Rivera -- Urgent, yet infectious groove

Wendell Rivera, warmed up or rather heated up by the jam with Lonnie, brings on his Jazz Ensemble. It’s a great congregation of musicians with amazing credentials, Dave Kayne, Art Weinzler, Pat Georger, John Curry and John Bacon, Jr. and Wendell. They play beautifully with that urgency, yet infectious groove of constancy that’s Latin jazz. Many dancers from the audience become inspired to do their stuff. They closed out with a spirited version of an organization original, “Jude’s Mood,” 3:31 minutes on the album, reluctantly ended after 12 minutes at the Apple Orchard this day.

Better talent than Rochester Festival?

Dr. Don and Bridget Bishop of Brockport, who are regulars at the Rochester International Jazz Festival, commented, “He’s amazing (Lonnie). You had really talented people across the board. With little fanfare you bring in this great talent, maybe better than last year’s Rochester Jazz Fest. And the sound (soundman Rob Robinson) was great.”

Rochesterian Sandy Baker said, “I and my friends, (including local Hammond B3 player, Bill Vosteen) were thrilled with Dr. Lonnie Smith’s performance yesterday! WOW! You folks are doing a great job organizing the festival.”

Two gifts

There were many moments during the fest, but one touching incident in particular: Lonnie had told about his starting as a singer and trumpet player in a touring group. But at 18, he heard Jimmy Smith on the Hammond B3 and fell in love with “the beast.” He started hanging out at Art Kubera’s Music Store in Buffalo, doodling on the B3. One night Art took Lonnie out back in the store. He pointed to a brand new B3 organ. “It’s yours if you can get out of here.” Well, of course, Lonnie and a couple of friends did and the rest is history.

It’s 44 years later, May 15, 2005, the Apple Orchard Inn: After his set, posing with fans for innumerable pictures and signing autographs, Lonnie relaxes at a table with family and friends. A man approaches Lonnie and hands him a little package. Lonnie opens it – inside – a guitar pick with “Art Kubera’s Music Store” embossed on it. Lonnie is visibly touched.

Several times Lonnie leaned over to Golden, “I’m having a wonderful time.”

The fest is produced by a church-based charity, which provides shelter to visitors to the correctional facilities inmates. Only the musicians are paid. The fest committee even pays its own way into the fest.

Buffalonian Rich Ehlers, “ I know I’ve said this other years, but I’ve got to say it again. You’re going to have a tough time topping this!”

But, we’ll try next year, Sunday, May 21, 2006 (always the third Sunday in May).

P.S. 6/17/05 e-mail from Dale Smalley: “What a wonderful festival. Dr. Smith captured my students completely. Afternoons like that are worth a year of teaching in the classroom.”