Jazz Articles about Walter Smith III

About Walter Smith III

Album Review

At the 2019 Detroit Jazz Festival, pianist Connie Han dazzled the crowd with a superb and well-paced set which was one of the best performances of the weekend. Although her Mack Avenue debut, Crime Zone, had hit the streets in 2018, Han's musical acumen was still hovering below the radar of most jazz listeners. The key to Han's refreshing approach is that she operates in a zone that respects the lexicon while also finding new territory of its own to ...

Album Review

Walter Smith III: In Common 2

Read "In Common 2" reviewed by Paul Rauch

by Paul Rauch
June 1, 2020

The musical paths of saxophonist/composer Walter Smith III and guitarist/composer Matthew Stevens have crossed on many occasions over the years, touring and recording together in their respective bands and those of Esperanza Spalding, Ambrose Akinmusire, Terence Blanchard, Dave Douglas and Terri Lynne Carrington. They first recorded together in 2017, convening a stellar band to interpret original compositions written for the session. In Common (Whirlwind, 2018) was well received for its original sound and spontaneity. They've reconvened for In ...

Album Review

Connie Han: Iron Starlet

Read "Iron Starlet" reviewed by Mike Jurkovic

by Mike Jurkovic
April 5, 2020

A decisively brazen talent, pianist Connie Han rushes into the fire touched off by her 2018 Mack Avenue debut Crime Zone, bringing more accelerant to bear on Iron Starlet.With an exhilarating control of her skills and vision and an intimate clairvoyance into all that has come before her, Han bids trumpeter Jeremy Pelt the opening fanfare for the album's flag track, thus clearing headspace for Han, bassist Ivan Taylor and drummer/producer/musical director Bill Wysaske to swoop in like ...

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Take Five With...

Take Five With Walter Smith III

by AAJ Staff
April 16, 2019

Meet Walter Smith III: From a young age, Walter began taking music very seriously. “My first gig was playing at a McDonalds in Houston with another saxophonist. I took a solo on “Blue Bossa." It was terrible. People clapped, and I figured if I could get away with that and get applause, how could I fail?" Although it may appear Smith is a new voice on the scene, he is widely recognized as an adept performer, ...

Radio & Podcasts

New Sounds - Walter Smith III, John Escreet and Maisha

by Bob Osborne
December 6, 2018

Demonstrating the wide variety of music in the jazz world recent releases from Walter Smith, John Escreet and Maisha are featured on this show. With other material, old and new, in between, there is mixed bag of styles, and, sounds on display. Playlist Walter Smith III “Ask Me Now" from Twio (Whirlwind) 00:00 John Escreet “Broken Justice (Kalief)" from Learn to Live (Blue Room Music) 07:01 Al McLean & Azar Lawrence “Simone" from Conduit (Intofocus) 16:06 Maisha ...

Album Review

Walter Smith III: Twio

by Phil Barnes
May 2, 2018

The awareness of an audience or home listener is a key rite of passage in the creative development of an artist. Its something that usually becomes an issue as a performer moves beyond that initial creative surge of their early work, that build-up of compositions that led to initial success and attention has been exhausted and audience expectations have grown. So Walter Smith III's decision to revisit classic jazz tunes on this collection was not one that initially quickened the ...

Album Review

Walter Smith III: Twio

by Roger Farbey
February 9, 2018

The unashamedly retro cover art of Twio accurately signposts the content of this imaginative album's track selection of jazz classics and standards. The only exception to this programme is Walter Smith III's original composition “Contrafact," chordally based on “Like Someone In Love" but given a 5/4 makeover. This involves the twin tenors of Smith and guest Joshua Redman opening the number in unison and progressing to an effervescent treatment adopted throughout the choruses. The two tracks teaming-up Smith and Redman ...