|
contents | jazz | |||||||||||||
| Release Day for Wayne Smith Jr.'s Be Still Wayne Smith, Jr. is a drummer, composer, and educator with a multifaceted palette of soundscapes and genres at his disposal. Having toured across three continents, performed throughout the New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. music scenes, and currently working as a staple member of the legendary Sun Ra Arkestra, Smith's accolades rightly herald his abilities as a master craftsman of the drum set. Described as an "inventive drummer who displays an in-depth musical consciousness, " and who is "willing to embrace the moment, yet never [loses] himself nor the tradition in the search, " by acclaimed saxophonist Tim Warfield, Smith is a musician whose ability to engage with both deep technique and emphatic emotion is unrivaled. It is this depth of humanity and emotive response within his playing that Smith brings to the fore with Be Still, an album steeped in varied emotional vignettes, all held together by the underpinnings of and contemplations on tranquility. Who is Wayne Smith Jr.? Nurtured in the legendary Philadelphia jazz scene, Wayne Smith, Jr.'s career as drummer is as promising as it is eclectic. After graduating from the famed Creative and Performing Arts High School, he went on to study at the world renowned Berklee College of Music in Boston. Eager to advance his music career, Wayne began performing regularly at staples of the Philadelphia jazz community including Chris' Jazz Cafe and Ortlieb's Jazzhaus. As his reputation grew, he branched out, performing in New York, Baltimore and Washington D.C alongside such well known musicians as Donald Byrd, Orrin Evans, Duane Eubanks, John Ellis, Stacy Dillard and Bootsie Barnes. He teamed up with Victor North (saxophonist) and Lucas Brown (organist) to form Three Blind Mice and the trio still performs together to this day. After being tapped to join the legendary Sun Ra Akestra, Wayne toured Europe, Canada, and Australia, which would prove instrumental in his development as an artist. Smith's vision for Be Still was not achieved alone, but was brought to life wondrously by his quintet. Comprising Brent White on trombone, Matthew Clayton on alto saxophone, Ian Macaulay on guitar, Madison Rast on bass, and Smith himself leading from the drum set, the band is lauded by their leader for their ability to approached the music with an "open mind" allowing them to "tell a story [on] every song." With Be Still, Smith has not only reestablished himself as a masterful creator of groove, but has asserted his prowess as a musician who understands the inner machinations of the human soul. A study in the earnest, the genuine, and the undeniably human, Be Still draws ruminatively from the heartstrings while still overflowing with that inescapable ability to make heads nod and feet tap. Be Still releases on July 7th, 2023. write your comments about the article :: © 2023 Jazz News :: home page |