| Tommy Smith | |
|---|---|
| Born | 27 April 1967 |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Occupations | Musician (composer, educator, orchestra director) |
| Instruments | Saxophone |
| Labels | Spartacus Records |
| Website | http://www.tommysmith.co.uk |
| Notable instruments | |
| Saxophone | |
Tommy Smith (born 27 April 1967 in Edinburgh, Scotland) is a jazz saxophonist, composer and educator. The late jazz critic Richard Cook said of him, 'Of the generation which emerged in the mid-80s, he might be the most outstandingly talented'.[1]
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Smith grew up in the Wester Hailes area of Edinburgh and was encouraged to learn the tenor saxophone from the age of 12 onwards. At the age of 16, he obtained a scholarship to study at Berklee College of Music.[2] He first formed a group "Forward Motion" with Terje Gewelt, Ian Froman and Laszlo Gardony and while still at Berklee, he joined Gary Burton's group.
He has become one of Scotland's leading jazz musicians and composers, an internationally recognised soloist and bandleader since the late-1980s and the musical director and driving force behind the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra and his own Youth Jazz Orchestra.
His CV, since touring and recording the Whiz Kids (ECM Records) album with vibraphonist Gary Burton at the age of eighteen, includes a total of twenty-three albums under his own name for Hep Records, GFM, Blue Note Records, Linn Records and his own Spartacus label.
Smith has worked in jazz groups and big bands, and has recorded and toured with world-renowned jazz musicians including Joe Lovano, David Liebman, Benny Golson, Joe Locke, Gary Burton, Chick Corea, Tommy Flanagan, John Scofield, John Patitucci, Miroslav Vitous, Arild Andersen, Trilok Gurtu, Jack DeJohnette, Jon Christensen, John Taylor, Joanne Brackeen and Kenny Wheeler.
He has composed for and performed with classical orchestras and ensembles including the Orchestra of St. John's Square, the Scottish Ensemble, the Edinburgh Youth Orchestra, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Icelandic Symphony Orchestra, Scottish Chamber Orchestra and the Paragon Ensemble. He has also recorded and performed with classical pianist Murray McLachlan, pop group Hue & Cry, and Scottish traditional musicians including Gaelic singer Karen Matheson and accordionist/keyboard player Donald Shaw from Capercaillie, and Iraqi oud virtuoso Naseer Shamma.
His work with the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra includes programmes of Pat Metheny, Oliver Nelson, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Charles Mingus, Benny Goodman, Gil Evans, Stan Kenton, Thelonious Monk, Steely Dan, John Coltrane and Maria Schneider as well as Smith's own compositions such as Beauty and the Beast for David Liebman and Torah for Joe Lovano, and his many acclaimed achievements include his work for solo saxophone 'Alone At Last', utilising samples, harmonizer, Loop machine and surround sound concerts to 48 venues over the U.S., France, Germany, Sweden and the UK.
In recognition of his artistic achievements, Smith was made Doctor of the University by Heriot-Watt University in his home town, Edinburgh on 14 July 1999.[3] The following year, on 4 May 2000, he became Honorary Fellow of the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland. The British Jazz Award for best tenor saxophonist followed in May 2002. On Burns Night, 25 January 2000, Smith was announced as one of the first fourteen recipients of the Scottish Arts Council's Creative Scotland Awards. The award helped to fulfil his ambition of performing alone at last, a solo concert programme using tenor and soprano saxophones, high-tech equipment, poetry, natural sounds and special effects, which he toured extensively throughout Scotland and beyond in 2001. In 2008 Smith received his second doctorate from Glasgow Caledonian University for his services to music in Scotland. Also that year he won a prestigious BBC 'Heart of Jazz' Award.
His work in jazz education began while working for Gary Burton in 1986 when the group had to present masterclasses to international students all over the world, this kind of work continued with his own groups until 1990 when he started teaching at Broughton High School in Edinburgh with John Rae, Brian Kellock and Kenny Ellis. In 1993 he began teaching improvisation at Napier University. In 1995 he created the curriculum for the National Jazz Institute in Glasgow which he directed until 1998. He has given masterclasses all over Europe, Americas and Asia. His private students include Steve Hamilton, Stuart Gorman, Graeme Scott, Theo Forrest, Paul Booth, Konrad Wisznieski, Tom MacNiven, Allon Beauvoisin, Paul Towndrow, Fraser Campbell and Jo Fooks. In 2009 he became Artistic Director of a new conservatoire-level course in jazz at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow.[4] The event was broadcated live by BBC News. The presentation lines were:
"Is it really possible to teach someone how to play jazz? The Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama is giving it a try, with internationally renowned saxophonist Tommy Smith leading Scotland's first full- time degree-level jazz course."[5]
All*About*Jazz critique John Kelman, in his review of Arild Andersen's live recorded release (2008) Live at Belleville, said about Smith:
| " Smith shines here as he does throughout the collection. He is a brilliant star-turn that almost steals the show. Despite a considerable catalog, Smith is among the under-recognized talents on the US jazz scene. Hopefully, Live at Belleville will correct that oversight."[6] |
AllAboutJazz contributer Karl Ackermann, in his review of Arild Andersen's Live at Belleville, wrote: As much as Live at Belleville is an accomplishment for Andersen, it is no less an achievement for Scottish saxophonist, Tommy Smith. ."[7] |}