Tommy Smith
Saxophonist Tommy Smith is 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.
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. There he joined Gary Burton's group.
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 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 and Kenny Wheeler.
Smith's work with the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra includes programmes of Oliver Nelson, Basie, Ellington, Mingus and Benny Goodman. SNJO has also premiered Smith's own compositions including Beauty and the Beast for David Liebman and Torah for Joe Lovano.
Tommy has won the BBC Heart of Jazz Award as well as numerous other titles and awards. As a tireless advocate of Jazz education, Tommy conceived the curriculum for the Scottish Jazz Conservatory, campaigning for a jazz presence in Scottish further education and teaching individual students.
Tommy Smith official website www.tommy-smith.co.uk