Short Bio - Cecilia Smith
Cecilia Smith is currently one of the leading vibraphonists of Four Mallet Technique. She has toured nationally and internationally. She has recorded and performed with several renown artists including: Gary Bartz, Greg Osby, Milt Hinton, Alan Dawson, Randy Weston, Donald Harrison, Hubert Laws, Mulgrew Miller, Donald Byrd (trumpet), Cassandra Wilson, and Digable Planets. She has released 5 independent c.d.’s on the national and international level and one Japanese release titled: CARMEN R&B. Her current c.d. is called DARK TRIUMPH (DT). DT Exposes Cecilia’s compositional abilities, through the use of full rhythm section, a 23 piece string ensemble and Boy Sopranos From the Boys Choir of Harlem.
She is currently the Artistic Director of the MARY LOU WILLIAMS RESURGENCE PROJECT (MLWRP). For the past 6 years she has explored, arranged, composed and exposed the unheralded work of Mary Lou Williams. This arrangement as well as newly formed compositions based on MLW’s work ” utilizes my big band writing skills, choral writing skills, small ensemble skills with various horn mixtures.
Most recently Cecilia has been composing music for commercials utilizing midi and sequencing programs.
Cecilia is currently working on cataloging all of Max Roach’s archives.
The following is a partial listing of some of Cecilia’s composing projects:
The JOYCE AWARD ” 2008-2009. Cecilia is the recipient of this years JOYCE AWARD in music composition. The JOYCE FOUNDATION awards one music composition commission per year. The presenting partnering organization is the TRI-C JAZZ FESTIVAL. This will be one of the first funded Multi-Media piece for Jazz composition. The new work will premier in April 2009.
Commissioned by the Mary Lou Williams Foundation to edit incomplete works (2002-2003). These pieces where performed at New England Conservatory Winter, 2003.
Ms. Smith has studied the work of Mary Lou Williams for the past six years. She created the Mary Lou Williams Resurgence Project where she is currently the Artistic Director. During the Kennedy Center Celebration, Cecilia Smith put together an all-star, mixed-gendered, multi-generational big band and brought in the Morgan State University Choir to perform the complex works of Mary Lou Williams.
Cecilia Smith has also worked with poet Tracie Morris in a collaborative effort called New Works Unspoken And Spoken. This new work unites Smith’s unique composing style with Tracie Morris’s unique poetry style.
Ms. Smith was commissioned by the COOPER-HEWIT MUSEUM ” Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Design. The title of the commission was “Native To Native ” An African American/Native American Perspective on Music.” Ms. Smith incorporated her personal cultural background to create a new music form combining a jazz quartet with four Traditional Native American musicians. Seven compositions were premiered.
FILM PROJECTS
Ms. Smith has composed music for Bridgett Davis’ independent feature film titled “NAKED ACTS” for KINDRED SPIRIT PRODUCTIONS. This film has been presented at film festivals around the world. It has also appeared on the SUNDANCE CHANNEL.
MS. Smith has most recently completed for a short film titled LETS’ NOT TALK ABOUT IT. Written, produced and directed by British filmmaker ” IAN PIGGOT for ABOVE THE SKY PRODUCTIONS.
For more information on Cecilia’s work. Please refer to her web site or contact her directly.
Awards:
JOYCE AWARD - Music Composition - 2008
My new multi-media work will premier April 29, 2009
at the Tri-C Jazz Festival.
It features the work of Filmmaker Miriam Bennett on multi-screens
as well as a 16 piece brass ensemble with full rhythm section!
