Hammond organ maestro Dr. Lonnie Smith plays at CCNY during the CUNY Jazz Festival
Hammond organ guru Dr. Lonnie Smith plays two concerts at the CUNY Jazz Festival May 4 -5 at The City College Center for the Arts. The two-day festival includes free master classes with saxophonist Jon Gordon and vocalist René Marie, and performances by student ensembles from CUNY schools.
Smith will share the stage at City College’s Aaron Davis Hall with the CCNY Jazz Orchestra at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 4. The festival culminates with a gala concert featuring the CCNY Student Jazz All-Stars opening for Smith and his Trio, 7:30 p.m. on May 5.
CCNY music professor Mike Holober will direct the festival.
“The CUNY Jazz Festival celebrates its 17th year and this year is particularly special because City College Center for the Arts joins the festival in presenting living legend Dr. Lonnie Smith and his Trio,” said Gregory Shanck, CCCA managing director.
Past CUNY Jazz Festival guest artists have included guitarists John Abercrombie and Adam Rogers, bassist John Patitucci, trombonist Wycliffe Gordon, vocalist Luciana Souza, saxophonists Dick Oatts, Chris Potter, Dave Liebman and Billy Drewes; pianist Kenny Werner, trumpet players Ralph Alessi and Marvin Stamm, and The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra.
This year’s participants include jazz ensembles from Hunter College, Queens College, Lehman College, York College and The College of Staten Island.
Events are free with the exception of the gala concert, which is $15 (general admission) and free with CUNY ID.
Click here for a complete schedule of CUNY Jazz Festival events and Smith’s performances. Click here for directions to the City College Center for the Arts.
Tickets can be purchased online at www.citicollegecenterforthearts.org or by calling the box office at (212) 650-6900.
About The City College of New York
Since 1847, The City College of New York has provided low-cost, high-quality education for New Yorkers in a wide variety of disciplines. Today more than 16,000 students pursue undergraduate and graduate degrees in eight professional schools and divisions, driven by significant funded research, creativity and scholarship. Now celebrating its 170th anniversary, CCNY is as diverse, dynamic and visionary as New York City itself. View CCNY Media Kit.