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Lonnie Listen Smith, born on December 28, 1940, in Richmond, Virginia, U.S.A., is a distinguished musician known for his innovative blending of atmospheric fusion, soul, and funk. Not to be confused with jazz organist/pianist Lonnie Liston Smith, he was introduced to music early in life by his father and learned to play the piano, tuba, trumpet, and voice during high school and college. After earning a Bachelor of Science degree in music education from Baltimore's Morgan State College, he began performing with the house band at the Royal Theater in Baltimore. Smith later moved to New York, where he honed his skills alongside jazz legends such as Art Blakey and Miles Davis, transitioning from acoustic jazz to fusion. In 1973, he formed his own group and has since become renowned for his genre-defying style, often cited as a significant influence on acid jazz. He continues to write and tour.

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