Tommy Smith
Introduce yourself, Tell us a bit about your musical career to date, and maybe a fun fact or two:
I've been playing saxophone professionally since my early teens and played my first world tour with vibes virtuoso Gary Burton when I was eighteen. I've since played with many other great musicians, including members of Duke Ellington's orchestra, piano master Chick Corea, the wonderful drummer Jack DeJohnette, bass guitar revolutionary Jaco Pastorious, fellow saxophonists Dave Liebman and Joe Lovano, and guitarist John Scofield. I've recorded under my own name for Blue Note Records and with Norwegian bass maestro Arild Andersen for ECM. I founded the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra in 1995 and my youth jazz orchestra in 2002 and was appointed head of jazz at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in 2009. Despite absolutely hating the first John Coltrane record I bought (I was thirteen and I did start at the wrong end of his career with his Ascension album), I went on to love his work and formed a quartet, Embodying the Light, as a dedication to him. I took that album back to the shop but they wouldn't exchange it, so I left it there. I had to buy it again when my ears became accustomed to Coltrane's later, more 'out' era. I currently play solo concerts, duo gigs with the brilliant young pianist Pete Johnstone and still lead the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra.
Favourite gigs / concerts that you’ve performed: There are lots: my 21st birthday concert with Gary Burton and Chick Corea was scary but also exciting but the most important gig is always the next one.
Notable influences: John Coltrane, Stan Getz, Bobby Wellins
Key collaborations or collaborators over the years: I first played with Arild Andersen, in a quartet with John Taylor (piano) and John Marshall (drums), in 1988 and we've since worked in a duo and in Arild's trio over a long period but I also really enjoy working with Pete Johnstone because he keeps me on my toes.
What you’re looking forward to at Islay Jazz Festival this year: My gig in the Round Church in Bowmore. I've played there before, solo and with Arild Andersen, and it's always an interesting place to play.
A story from a past Islay Jazz Festival: I think it was the first Islay Jazz Festival when drummer Tom Bancroft and I were scheduled to play a duo concert in Islay House. Tom missed the ferry, so I played solo without any preparation. That gave me the confidence to develop a solo repertoire and play many other solo concerts, most recently in the awesome Lichfield Cathedral.
Links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tommy.smith.sax
Instagram: tommy_smith_obe
Twitter/X: @tommysmithmusic