Style Weekly
Richmond's alternative for news, arts, culture and opinion
- Scott Elmquist
- Hometown hero: Lonnie Liston Smith
There are few artists whose work is as durable as Richmond-born jazz keyboardist Lonnie Liston Smith, whose career spans ’60s bop to “Grand Theft Auto 4.” He kindled his career as a sideman for Betty Carter, caught fire in Art Blakey’s legendary proving ground for young talent, the Jazz Messengers, blazed in the blistering experimentation of bands assembled by Rahsaan Roland Kirk and Pharoah Sanders, stood out in Miles Davis’ “On the Corner” sessions and sent sparks around the globe with his fusion band, “Cosmic Echoes” (featuring brother Donald). Just as his three-decade run was winding down, it was reignited by a new generation of sampling hip-hop artists, including Guru, Jay-Z and Mary K. Blige. Although this is his hometown -- he’s from a venerable Richmond musical family -- his performances here are rare, and almost always in support of the Richmond Jazz Society. With his new seven-piece band, Lonnie Liston Smith performs two shows (7 p.m. and 9:15 p.m.) at the Capital Ale House on Tuesday, Oct. 11. $25. 643-2537.
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