Born: December 26, 1976 Primary Instrument: Trumpet
Detroit based trumpeter, composer, and arranger Jimmy Smith is among the most sought after musicians in the Midwest. He holds a Masters degree in jazz performance from The Aaron Copland School of Music, and is an alumnus of The Berklee College of Music as well as Wayne State University. Also a music educator, Jimmy has held numerous artists in residence positions in the NYC public schools. He is the director of the “Summer Rocks” and “Jazz Experience” programs at the Detroit School of Rock and Pop music, and is a certified music teacher in Michigan.
In addition to being a member of The Motor City Horns, he is also a member of The Paul Keller Orchestra, Bobby Streng’s House Big Band, and The Motor City Jazz Orchestra. Active in the musical landscape, he has performed with a number of regional and national artists/acts, including The Verve Pipe, Alexander Zonjic, Mitch Ryder, Karen Newman, Alberta Adams, Melvin Davis, Pat Lewis, Johnnie Bassett, and The Temptations.
Jimmy has performed with jazz legend Jimmy Heath, trumpeters Jim Rotondi, Michael Phillip Mossman, and saxophonist Antonio Hart, as well as The Scott Gwinnell Jazz Orchestra, Marcus Belgrave, Wendell Harrison and Chico O’Farrill’s Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra. During his tenure in NYC Jimmy also lead his own group - The Jimmy Smith Sextet.
Jimmy has recorded for film soundtracks as well as national and international television commercials. He has recorded with The Men of Grace, (Kenny Flav’s) Wayne Kounty, The Motor City Horns, Stewart Francke, Bob Mervak, Jeff Scott and Bret Puchir’s Chicken Bucket All-stars.
In the spring of 2013 Jimmy released his debut recording with co-leader Saxophonist James Hughes. The album, From Here On Out is a completion of 9 original jazz compositions rooted in the Detroit hard bop tradition.
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Primary Instrument:
Trumpet
Location:
Detroit, MI
Willing to teach:
Advanced students only.
Credentials/Background:
Jimmy Smith offers private lessons to students of all ages and at all levels of experience. Fundamentals are emphasized during each lesson, including warm-ups, etudes, and solos. Technique and ensemble playing will also be addressed. Students will be expected to practice and arrive on time and prepared for every lesson.
Clinic/Workshop Information:
Clinics and Masterclasses:
Brass Masterclass:
A thorough understanding of fundamental brass techniques, such as breathing, posture, tone, technique and style are essential to playing a brass instrument. These concepts will be demonstrated, and methods for practicing at varying levels of experience will be discussed.
Improvisation Masterclass:
This clinic is an open discussion of improvisation as well as a demonstration of how to utilize basic musical tools and vocabulary to craft a solo. It will also examine methods of practicing improvisation.
Big Band/Combo Masterclass:
The experience of playing in an ensemble is one of the most challenging and rewarding in the field of music. Concepts addressed will include style, various rehearsal techniques, selection of repertoire, application of musical skills and understanding each instruments' role both in its specific section, and within the entire ensemble.
