Lonnie Smith (1942 – 2021), was an American jazz organist.. In 1965 he met guitarist George Benson. The two connected on a personal level and formed the George Benson Quartet, featuring Lonnie Smith, in 1966. After two albums under Benson’s leadership, Smith recorded his first solo album Finger Lickin’ Good (Soul Organ) with George Benson and Melvin Sparks on guitar, Ronnie Cuber on baritone sax, and Marion Booker on drums. This combination remained stable for the next five years. Lonnie Smith was named 9 times “the best organist of the year” by the Jazz Journalists Association.
