Steve Smith
Website
April 2002

"There is a select group of young players who have the insight to become good musicians, but they come to that mainly through their high intellect vs. a cultural stimulus."

Show 'Em Where You Live Tone Center
2002

Reviewed By
Glenn Astarita

Live Around the World
Intuition
2000

Reviewed By
Scott Andrews
Todd S. Jenkins

Where We Come From
Intuition
1998

Reviewed By
Ed Kopp

By Glenn Astarita

I first discovered drummer, Steve Smith back in the late 70’s, when he was performing with violinist, Jean Luc-Ponty’s jazz-fusion outfit. He subsequently ventured into Pop/Rock territory via his tenure with the hugely popular band known as “Journey,” yet also found time to delve into jazz, jazz-rock and fusion-based genres. During the mid-80’s, Smith along with perhaps a handful of others, helped resurrect (amid shrewd changes in direction) electric jazz stylizations from the ashes, thanks to many noteworthy undertakings, including his formation of “Vital Information.” Moreover, this interview (conducted via email) coincides with ”Vital Information’s” new release titled; Show 'Em Where You Live. As a drummer, Smith artistically melds speed and power with a deeply personalized and highly recognizable sound and style. Smith has emerged as one of the most sought-after studio musicians in the business. Over the last several years, he has aligned with guitar greats, Larry Coryell, Tony MacAlpine, and Scott Henderson (on various projects) while recording tracks for a series of Buddy Rich “Big Band” tributes. The drummer has recorded two widely acclaimed trio outings with “Vital Information’s” guitarist, Frank Gambale and bassist, Stuart Hamm. Besides his busy touring and recording schedule, Smith is a noted clinician, who according to “Modern Drummer” magazine’s January 2001 reader’s poll was cited as one of The Top 25 Drummers Of All Time.

All About Jazz: Let's start from the ground up. What is your current setup? In addition, what is your opinion of the advances made in the digital drums arena? Do you think the industry has progressed? Perhaps you can share some of your thoughts about the overall functionality, sonic characteristics and/or realism of these devices?

Steve Smith: My set-up is listed at Vital Information. I have no interest in the digital drums. I like to hear and feel drums acoustically, not electronically.

AAJ: Given your vast musical experiences performing with artists/bands such as: Jean Luc Ponty, The Buddy Rich Big Band, Journey and Vital Information amid numerous studio dates - what would you consider your single most challenging endeavor? Mainly from a technical (drumming) standpoint?

SS: The work I've done with Indian musicians, because I have to think so hard. The music is so complex rhythmically; I'm out of my typical comfort zone.

AAJ: Do you adhere to strict practice regimen, whether at home or on the road?

SS: I practice everyday. I am consistent in practicing the same ideas day after day until they naturally become part of my playing. This way I’m constantly expanding my vocabulary. I allow my practicing to evolve, so I’m always working on new ideas.

AAJ: Artistically speaking, where do you envision yourself in 5 years?

SS: Touring more steadily with Vital Information and also being more involved with Indian based music. I would like to continue organizing and producing projects. I recently recorded with a new group called Summit -- Zakir Hussein, George Brooks, Kai Eckhardt, Fareed Haque, and myself. We’ll be touring in the fall with this East meets West musical concept.

AAJ: Whether performing or recording, is there any particular format or genre that provides more of a comfort zone for you?

SS: I am most comfortable with Jazz, Jazz/Rock, and Rock.

AAJ: Do you have any opinions on the state of the Music Industry? i.e. record labels, promotion, lack of radio airplay, etc

SS: The industry is has become hooked on categories, formulas and large numbers. There is no room at the major labels for the group that sells a small amount of CDs; only the smaller labels will give musicians like me a chance to make a CD. The lack of airplay makes it difficult to let people know about new music. What is defined as “mainstream USA culture” is very narrow and uninteresting to me. One has to dig deeper to find the music that has more depth than the vacuous fluff that is sold to middle America.

AAJ: Who are some of your musical influences? Also, are there any young drummers out there, who you feel will make a difference? Any budding stylists on the horizon?

SS: My influences range from Buddy Rich, Gene Krupa, Max Roach, Philly Joe Jones, Elvin Jones, Tony Williams to Mitch Mitchell, Ginger Baker, John Bonham and Billy Cobham. I think Bill Stewart is a fantastic “new” drummer as is Scofield’s new drummer Adam Deitch.

AAJ: As music clinician, do you get a sense that many young students of drumming are more concerned about being able to execute sweeping, polyrhythmic fills and say, difficult time signatures? Are some of these folks foregoing the basics in lieu of trying to attain a sort of "top gun" status? Otherwise, do you feel a need to stress the importance of providing nuance, subtlety, and actually listening to the music at hand?

SS: It seems that many young drummers don’t have any idea of what is truly important; the ability to generate a grooving, swinging pulse and being a good listener to all that is going on in the music. They are more excited about “making it,” which has nothing to do with music at all. Or they are interested in the physical aspects of drumming without understanding the deeper issues involved in becoming a well-rounded musician. There is a select group of young players who have the insight to become good musicians, but they come to that mainly through their high intellect vs. a cultural stimulus.

AAJ: When recording, what is more important to you: seizing the "moment" or attaining technical perfection?

SS: A bit of both is important, a great musical moment that has enough perfection that it sounds good listen after listen.

AAJ: How about providing us with a Desert Island style - top 10 recordings list?

SS: This list would be different every time I write it:

1. Tony Williams - Emergency!
2. Tony Williams - Believe It
3. John Coltrane - A Love Supreme
4. Miles Davis - Miles Smiles
5. Keith Jarrett - Standards Vol. 1
6. Buddy Rich/Max Roach - Rich vs. Roach
7. Charlie Haden/Pat Metheny - Missouri Sky
8. The Meters - Funkify Your Life
9. Jimi Hendrix - Axis: Bold As Love
10. Ahmad Jamal - Live At The Pershing

Thursday, April 4
The Bottom Line, New York

Friday, April 5
IMAC Theater, Huntington, NY

Saturday, April 6
(double bill with the Dave Liebman Group)
Murray's Inn
Wilkes Barre, PA

Tuesday, April 9
The Colony
Vernon, CT

Wednesday, April 10
The Iron Horse
Northhampton, MA

Friday, April 12
The Van Dyck
Schenectady, NY

Saturday, April 13
Steve Smith Clinic
Percussive Arts Society
Western CT State University
Music Bldg. Auditorium 2nd floor
Danbury, CT

Monday, April 15
The Tralfamadore
Buffalo, NY

Tuesday, April 16
Gilly's
Dayton, OH

Wednesday, April 17
Jazz Kitchen
Indianapolis, IN

Thursday, April 18
Martyr's
Chicago, IL

Friday, April 19
The Annex
Madison, WI

Saturday, April 20
Shank Hall
Milwaukee, WI

Sunday, April 21
New Moon Coffee
Oshkosh, WI

Tuesday, April 23
Dakota Jazz Club
Saint Paul, MN