Folk Bands and Artists
Tommy Smith
Lanark
Tommy Smith is recognised as one of the world’s leading saxophonists. A presence on the international jazz scene since his teenage years, when he toured the world with vibes virtuoso Gary Burton’s Whiz Kids quintet, Smith has gone to record with the definitive jazz label, Blue Note and work with myriad jazz greats including Chick Corea, John Scofield, Randy Brecker and Jack DeJohnette.
His compositions and work as a soloist extend to the symphonic arena, with albums including Modern Jacobite, recorded with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, and as the founding director of the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra he has built this ensemble into an internationally regarded, award-winning big band whose collaborations range from tributes to Frank Sinatra, with American singing star Kurt Elling, to new music for jazz orchestra and Japanese taiko drummers.
As well as the SNJO, Smith’s touring and recording commitments include Norwegian double bass master Arild Anderson’s trio, which records for the prestigious ECM label and is widely regarded as one of the leading groups working in jazz today, and his own group, the Tommy Smith Quartet: Embodying the Light, a dedication to his greatest influence, jazz legend John Coltrane.
Smith’s long-standing duo with pianist Brian Kellock remains very popular, with an appeal across the general music audience. Smith refers to the immensely resourceful Kellock as his own orchestra, such are Kellock knowledge and strengths as a musician. Jazz Journal magazine has described them as “world class” and Kellock’s reputation as an accompanist has been enhanced by his work with top jazz names including saxophonists Stanley Turrentine, Herb Geller and Scott Hamilton and singers Sheila Jordan and Carol Kidd.
Since recording his Into Silence solo saxophone album in Hamilton Mausoleum, Smith has grown increasingly interested in playing solo in venues where the acoustics can play an integral part in the performance. Significant solo concerts have included Rochester Jazz Festival in New York, Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival and Dunfermline Abbey.
