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Melvin Smith

Melvin Smith, "soulful sax man and well musically educated award winner" (Chris Spector-Midwest Record Review), is a native of Jacksonville, Florida who began playing saxophone at the age of thirteen. During his early musical development Smith was fortunate to have great musical experiences like performing at the Montreux Jazz Festival and a European tour. Smith attended the prestigious Berklee College of Music where he received an excellent education in music. Smith later received a Master's Degreein Jazz Studies from Queens College in New York. Since moving to New York Melvin has had the opportunity to play with such artists as Charli Persip, Kim Burell, Hubert Eaves III, Ben Vereen, Michael Henderson, and Norman Connors. Smith has also had the pleasure of opening for Ce Ce Winans and Donnie McClurkin,”. Smith's critically acclaimed 2007 release "Portrait" has been compared to Donald Byrd's A New Perspective ( Blue Note 1962) and I'm trying to get Home (Blue Note 1964) and Smith's approach has been compared to Hank Mobley by Micheal Gladstone at All About Jazz. Smith has also been compared to Charles Lloyd and George Coleman (John Barron- All About Jazz). Portait mixes different styles and feels for a great project. John Barron writes:

“Portrait” is an honest representation of an artist willing to take chances while respecting the musical traditions of his past. Smith has the potential to reach a broad audience without compromising an ounce of artistic integrity."Melvin’s New release “Evidence” covers much ground stylistically. “Evidence” showcases a cover of Pat Metheny’s “James” along with a nice downtempo version of Jill Scott’s “Golden”. Smith incorporates a 1960’s post bop version of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” with a reverent rendition of Fred Hammond’s “You are the Living Word”. Melvin Smith blends musical styles for a musical casserole of perfection. “Evidence” is a must have.

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35
Album Review

Melvin Smith: Perseverance

Read "Perseverance" reviewed by Jack Bowers


Perseverance, Florida-bred saxophonist Melvin Smith's seventh album as leader of his own group, is a hard-blowing session on which he shows (again) that he is one of the leading bop-based reed masters on today's scene. On soprano or tenor, Smith displays a clarity of purpose and storehouse of astute phrases that serve him well at any pace and in any context. Besides alternating horns (tenor on seven numbers, soprano on four), Smith adds texture and variety to ...

305
Album Review

Melvin Smith: Portrait

Read "Portrait" reviewed by Michael P. Gladstone


There is nothing newfangled here, but if mainstream bebop jazz saxophone is to your interests, then you will give this debut high marks.

Melvin Smith is a native of Jacksonville, Florida. Armed with a scholarship to the Berklee College of Music, he was also honored there with the Lennie Johnson Award after graduation. Smith then studied under Jimmy Heath at the Queens College (New York) music department, gaining his Master's Degree in 1999.

Smith uses his ...

314
Album Review

Melvin Smith: Portrait

Read "Portrait" reviewed by John Barron


Using gospel elements in a jazz context can be a hit-or-miss proposition. Depending on the background and integrity of the musicians involved, the results can often be trite, or shamelessly bent towards commercialism. Upon hearing Portrait it's obvious that saxophonist/composer Melvin Smith is equally adept in both genres. Smith is able to successfully blur the lines between the tradition of the spiritual and the inventiveness of jazz; demonstrating the obvious connections missing from the sounds of so many contemporary improvisers. ...

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Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Perseverance

Self Produced
2023

buy

Evidence

Self Produced
2010

buy

I Surrender All

Melvin G. Smith Music/MISMWO Music
2008

buy

Portrait

Self Produced
2007

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