Doctor's Notes: Lonnie Smith's Rejuvenating Jazz

Photo by Luke Ratray

By Cristofer Gross

Photo by Mark Sheldon

To get a preview of Hammond B-3 master Dr. Lonnie Smith's Center debut this weekend, I went back to his 2012 CD, The Healer. Again, I was immediately pulled in by the less-is-more interplay of Smith and guitarist Jonathan Kreisberg, who along with drummer Johnathan Blake accompanies the organist in Samueli Theater this Friday and Saturday. 

The way they weave together various styles and rhythms produces music that is both immediate and timeless. 

"The sound is a combination," Smith says. "You have fusion, mixed in with hip-hop, jazz, and funk without even thinking or trying to do that." At 71, Smith has clearly gotten the upper hand on time. Whether it's a single song tempo, the signature beat of an era, or his life, there's an energy that comes across. You can't help but feel rejuvenated. "I think his specialty is making people feel something," Kreisberg says. "I've seen an audience rise to their feet and lose their woes. He's almost like a healer, you know, and that's how we got the idea." 

When Ramsey Lewis wanted a segment on the Hammond B-3 for his 13-episode series, Legends of Jazz, in 2006, he invited two greats from two generations: Smith and Joey DeFrancesco, who appeared here a couple years back with vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson. Now it's Smith's turn to show how it's done.

He continues to appeal to artists of every era, with his music recently sampled by Jay-Z and Mary J. Blige. "I don't even think about the age because I don't feel that way," Smith adds. "I'm just doing it and it feels great: Just doing it while I have a chance to do it."

Win Dinner for Two and a Trip to Oz

Danielle Wade as Dorothy and Robin Evan Willis as Glinda in THE WIZARD OF OZ
 Photo by Cylla Von Tiedemann ©2013 Canadian Cast

A magical production of THE WIZARD OF OZ comes to Segerstrom Center for the Arts this month, and the Center and the Patina Group would like to make someone’s special wish come true. As Dorothy said, “There’s no place like home”! Show us what home means to you, and you could win a memorable evening on Saturday, February 22, 2014. The winner will enjoy dinner for two at Leatherby’s Cafe Rouge, selecting from Executive Chef Ross Pangilian’s THE WIZARD OF OZ themed menu, and attend the show at 7:30 p.m. in Segerstrom Hall. 

Here’s how to enter: 
Follow @PatinaGroup on Instagram and @Patina_Group on Twitter! Submit a photo of your favorite home-cooked meal on either social media channel. Include the hashtags #SCFTAPRGFoodies and #WizardOC.* Easy, right? Send in your submissions by Wednesday, February 19 to be eligible. 

*Alternate hashtags to use: #PRGHome #SCFTAFoodies #SegerstromPRGFoodies 

For rules and THE WIZARD OF OZ menu, click here. 

For more information about THE WIZARD OF OZ and to purchase tickets, click here. 

Center Favorites Make Olympian Impressions in Sochi

Ivan Vasiliev in the opening ceremony

Among Russia’s great artists and cultural ambassadors to the world who performed during the opening ceremonies at the Sochi Olympics were Maestro Valery Gergiev, general and artistic director of the Mariinsky Theater in St. Petersburg, and dancers Diana Vishneva and Ivan Vasiliev. Gergiev has appeared at the Center many times and is probably best remembered for bringing the Mariinsky Orchestra, Ballet and Opera for the opening celebrations of the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall in 2006. 

Maestro Valery Gergiev conducts in the 
Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall in 2006

The brilliant Diana Vishneva swirled among other dancers on the Sochi stadium floor until they eventually created the shape of a dove, which was followed by opera star Anna Netrebko singing the Olympic anthem. Among Vishneva’s many appearances at the Center, she has starred in two solo evenings created for her by the Center in association with Ardani Artists – Diana Vishneva: Beauty in Motion and Diana Vishneva: On the Edge. Her performance in Beauty in Motion won Russia’s prestigious Golden Mask award for the Center, that nations’ highest accolade for achievement in the arts. 

Diana Vishneva in the opening ceremony

Following his appearance in the opening ceremony, one report said, "The brilliant Ivan Vasiliev brought the stadium down with astonishing leaps.” Vasiliev has also appeared at the Center. He has been seen here with the Bolshoi Ballet, in two Tour de Force gala evenings, Reflections and Kings of Dance. He returns in July with Natalia Osipova in a special night titled Solo for Two. Included in that program will be two world premieres.

Dancers with Diana Vishneva, center

Prima Ballerina is Prima Assoluta in the U.K.

Natalia Osipova.
Photo by Damir Yusupov.

Natalia Osipova has won Britain’s Critics’ Circle National Dance award for Best Dancer of 2013. Qualifying artists must have performed in the U.K. between August 31, 2012 and September 1, 2013. Britain’s Judith Mackrell reported for The Guardian in her DANCEBLOG that, “there are few more dramatic and virtuoso stars in ballet today than Natalia Osipova – yet while the Russian ballerina wins her best female dancer award for performances with the St. Petersburg company the Mikhailovsky Ballet, and has been nominated in previous years for her performances with the Bolshoi, there is an extra frisson to her win this time around, given that her recent signing to the Royal Ballet has, for the time being, made her one of our own.” 

Natalia Osipova. Photo by Gene Schiavone

Osipova has appeared at the Center with the Bolshoi Ballet, the Center’s Tour de Force dance galas, in Reflections and American Ballet Theatre’s world premiere of its new production of Firebird. The incomparable Osipova returns to the Center with her equally phenomenal partner, Ivan Vasiliev, July 25 – 27. They will perform a special program titled Solo for Two.

Natalia Osipova and Ivan Vasiliev in Don Quixote.
Photo by Mikhail Logvinov, copyright Bolshoi Ballet.

We Won’t Start the Comedy Revolution Without You!

Culture Clash’s Richard Montoya, Ric Salinas and Herbert Siguenza arrive at the Center on Friday, January 24 for a free performance during the Off Center Festival’s POP: Party on the Plaza. They return January 30 - February 2 with the world premiere of KEEP CULTURE AND CLASH ON: 30 Years of Revolutionary Comedy Remastered. Each artist plays multiple characters, crossing all racial, social and sexual boundaries, reinventing our ideas of storytelling and community. Celebrate the third Off Center Festival and the Culture Clash 30th Anniversary this week. 

(Please Note: This show contains mature subject matter.)

Richard Montoya, Ric Salinas and Herbert Siguenza 
of Culture Clash.  Photo by Eric Schwabel 

Good Eats at the Off Center Festival

"The preparation of good food is merely another expression of art,
one of the joys of civilized living." 

 — Dione Lucas, chef 

Drive Me Cookie

The Center is making sure there is food for the soul, the mind and the palate during the Off Center Festival. Some of Orange County’s most popular food trucks will be on hand nearly every night so no one goes home without a great show and a full tummy. The Arts Plaza will have casual seating areas available, so come, chill and chow down. 

The Viking Truck

January 24 from 5 – 11 p.m.
Waff-N-Roll, Seabirds, Dogzilla Hot Dogs, The Burnt Truck (Serving throughout the Free Party on the Plaza) 

January 25 from 7 – 11 p.m.
Waff-N-Roll, GD Bro, Piaggio on Wheels, Adobo Express 

January 26 from 7 – 11 p.m.
Dos Chinos, Garlicscapes, The Burnt Truck, Drive Me Cookie 

Kala Truck

January 31 from 7 – 11 p.m.
Kala Truck, Dogzilla Hot Dogs, The Slummin’ Gourmet, Drive Me Cookie 

February 1 from 7 – 11 p.m.
Dos Chinos, StuffNIt Burgers, The Viking Truck, The Slummin’ Gourmet 

The Artists Lounge at Leatherby's Cafe Rouge. 
Photo by Doug Gifford

Late Night Delight in The Artists Lounge 
The Artists Lounge in Leatherby’s Cafe Rouge overlooks the Center’s Arts Plaza and is the post-performance place to meet the artists, fans and friends. All items are $6. The menu will include cheeseburger sliders, lambburger sliders, salmon tacos, chicken mole tacos, beef short rib poutine, pork belly bao buns, chorizo and goat cheese croquettes, burrata griddle buns. 

Bon appétit!

And They Lived Happily Ever After

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast enjoyed a magical week at Segerstrom Center. Many audience members participated in fun activities and photo opportunities available throughout the lobbies. These included the Beast’s castle and a large Disney's Beauty and the Beast step-and-repeat for photos, Belle’s Enchanted Library stocked with children’s books and coloring sheets, a Puppet-Making Workshop conducted by Center Arts Teach artist Ellen Schulze where children can create their Lumiere-inspired masterpieces and cupcakes designed with roses and butterflies by Patina Restaurant Group. 

Most Broadway shows have special displays, exhibits and activities designed to delight and inform. Coming next, CHICAGO, opening January 28.

All photos by Joesan Diche.