Singer Floyd A. Smith has had an amazing career in music. Blessed with a wonderful bass voice, Smith has spent decades singing to acclaim in a variety of settings. Topping a long, storied career, Smith spent eighteen years as a latter-day member of legendary hitmakers, The Fifth Dimension, touring the country to sold out crowds. Now living in San Diego, he’s become a favorite solo entertainer in the Southland and is working on his solo debut album. As much as he enjoys working on his own craft, he’s even more enthused about a new project, The Music Therapy Lounge (299 I Street, Chula Vista), set up to help veterans in need.
“We’re building a music therapy lounge to raise money to help vets with PTSD by providing free music therapy with clinically trained therapists,” Smith said. “The way we’re going to raise the money is we’re going to be doing concerts and shows. We have orchestras, jazz, blues, salsa, merengue, house band, everything powerful, on a whole other level, making it like a musician’s headquarters supporting veterans.”
On July 17, The Music Therapy Lounge, will host a special pre-soft opening, with music from 9-piece Latin jazz band, Joe’s Café and accompanying art exhibit by Yomer Fidel Montejo and Joseph Aportela. The latter, in addition to being Joe’s Café’s namesake conga player, also provided his artwork for the lounge’s entryway itself. Joe’s Café will offer up a rhythmic mix of classic Afro-Cuban sounds and recast standards. “He did such a great job putting art on the walls,” Smith noted. “He did all the acoustical artwork on the walls for us that’s permanent. The soft opening is going to come soon and then a grand opening, so that’s to follow. But in the meantime, this is a thank you to Joe.”
Rounding out the evening’s entertainment, DJ Rick “La Voz” Chris will be keeping things lively between and post sets. Dancing is encouraged, with light finger foods and adult beverages available. The night is 21 and up, with a $20 cover. Funds raised from this and future events will go to continue the venues mission.
Plans are for the lounge to also include a recording studio. “Actually, we’re going to partner with other studios, because we’re going to be doing the veterans music, like a record label for veterans to be the artists and others who want to support them.”
There are many layers when it comes to putting together a project as involved as The Music Therapy Lounge, what is Smith’s favorite thing about it so far?
“That I’m trying to make it acoustically sound,” he said. “So, when you do therapy sessions or concerts, it’s the best sounding room in San Diego. I know the best show that the Fifth Dimension ever did was because the room sounded great and the sound was right.”
