Richard Smith was born in Detroit, raised in Eugene, Oregon. Attending a Chick Corea concert at the age of 14 changed his life. "I was so blown away by that concert that I rode my bike home, picked up the phone and promptly broke up with my girlfriend, and tried to stay up all night practicing…come to think of it, I have been working pretty hard at it ever since."
Making music has played the central role in Smith’s life since that fateful night. "I soon was playing flute in the school band, string bass in orchestra, singing in the choir and guitar in the jazz band."
Eugene had a very active music scene, and a year after that Chick Corea concert Smith was playing in the clubs and teaching in the local music stores.
Education has also played a central role in Smiths life, coming fom a big family of professors, Smith entered the University of Oregon, by playing a Vivaldi guitar concerto to a boombox. Since then he has attended Oregon, then North Texas State University, but quit after one semester to join Dan Siegel’s band at the age of 19. Smith recorded two albums with Siegel, which became some of the top discs in the early contemporary jazz genre. At age 23 Smith received a teaching fellowship to USC, in Los Angeles, an event that changed his life and his music forever.
USC, one of the top Music schools in the world, was also where Lee Ritenour, Paul Jackson Junior, Larry Koonse, Christopher Parkening and the entire L.A. Guitar Quartet went to school.
His first break came when guitar legend and USC instructor Joe Diorio recommended him for a gig with contemporary jazz pianist Billy Mitchell. Introducing Smith to R&B jazz, a style that has become an indelible part of Richard’s sound. “I fell in love with all of the beats that were kicking around, and when compared to the music in Eugene, it was such an amazing tapestry of sounds, I wanted to jump into everything head-first”. In short order, Smith started playing with the many L.A. Based groups of the day – Siegel, Richard Elliot, Rick Braun, Guitars and Saxes, Max Bennett. He joined Richard Elliot’s group and stayed for 10 years and 6 number one albums on the Blue Note label. At the same time, Richard was rising in the ranks of the professorate at USC, making professor and department chair in the Studio/Jazz Guitar department before the age of 30.
"I spent my the 90s running the program at USC, touring the World 100 days a year, playing sessions and making records on my own. I loved it all and couldn’t say ‘no’ to any of it."
His first disc, Inglewood made with money from a USC student award, and featuring friends Kenny G and Dan Siegel was nominated for album of the year in Japan. Since then, every one of his 10 solo discs has reached the top of the charts, and garnered awards such as ‘Best New Artist’ (Radio and Records Magazine) and best album of the year (Tune Up Magazine).
His Latest album SOuLIDFIED spent 17 weeks at the top of the charts and brought Smith unprecedented touring opportunities. In the 2 years since it’s release, Smith has performed in almost every state in the union, as well as Italy, England, Greece, Holland, Argentina and Mexico.
His upcoming release, L.A. Chillharmonic features the finest musicians in L.A., and the world.
Quotables:
"A genius musician, an electrifying live performer" - Radio and Records Magazine
"One of the most electrifying sets in Smooth Jazz you'll ever see" - Michael Tozzi, Program Director, WJJZ Philadelphia, PA
"A fine player in the pop-jazz style, with a crisp and clean tone that falls into the George Benson mold" - Just Jazz Guitar
"Smith's performance is authoritative" - Guitar Player Magazine
"A headlining jazz star" - Chicago Sun Times
"Smith covers contemporary jazz like a rug" - Jazz Times Magazine
"Soulidified is a smokin album, I love this CD"- Jazz USA
"Delicious guitar licks with slammin grooves"- Jazz Times Magazine
"Smith gives you a sense of what Wes Montgomery might sound ike if he tried his hand at smooth jazz" - Urban Network News
"If energy, passion, fun and incredible talent are what we look for in a live performance from an artist, Richard Smith has my vote for Entertainer of the Year." - Robert Dees, Program Director Smooth Jazz 92.1(KJZS)
"The man is on top of every note and every nuance of his music he connects with his audience and enjoy's every moment on stage." - John Griswold, Concert Promoter Griswold Design Group
" Richard leaves his audience dancing, singing and wanting more. " - Betty Bennish, Concert Promoter BB Jazz
"Richard’s love for his music shines brightly on this CD. He is the best…" - Joe Diorio
