Sean Smith

Bassist and Composer

Bassist Sean Smith has been an integral part of the international jazz scene for more than 30 years. He has appeared in many of the major jazz festivals, concert halls, and clubs all over the world.

Sean has performed with Gerry Mulligan, Phil Woods, Benny Carter, Flip Phillips, Clark Terry, Johnny Griffin, Lee Konitz, Art Farmer, Tom Harrell, Jacky Terrasson, Bill Charlap, Peggy Lee, Rosemary Clooney, Mark Murphy, Jimmy Scott, Andy Bey, Tracy K. Smith (winner of the 2012 Pulitzer Prize for Poetry), and many others.

Sean is also a prolific composer whose works have been played and recorded by such artists as Phil Woods, Mark Murphy, Bill Charlap, Gene Bertoncini, Leon Parker, and Bill Mays. His music has also been featured in several films.

Lyrical, melodic, cinematic, and songful best describe Sean's compositions. Ira Gitler has written “His originals are highly listenable and thought provoking music for both head and heart”. Smith’s “Song For The Geese” is the title track of Mark Murphy’s 1998 Grammy nominated album for RCA/BMG.

Sean's ensemble was awarded the CMA/ASCAP Award for Adventurous Programming in 2015. In 2007 Sean received a Bistro Award for Outstanding Instrumentalist. Sean was a member of the Jacky Terrasson Trio for four years. His work with Terrasson and Emmanuel Pahud on Into The Blue (EMI/Blue Note) was nominated for a 2003 Grammy Award.

For the last 20 years Sean Smith has been a leader of his own group. His dynamic working quartet includes John Ellis on the saxophones, Nate Radley at the guitar, Russell Meissner at the drums, and Sean at the bass. Their recordings include Sean Smith Quartet Live! (Chiaroscuro Records), and Poise (Ambient Records), both featuring his compositions. The Sean Smith Quartet performs regularly in New York City. Their most recent recording, Trust, was released in 2011 on ™ and received rave reviews. Sean is co-leader of The Humanity Quartet, a newly formed group featuring Joel Frahm, Peter Bernstein, and Leon Parker. Their first recording, Humanity, was released in 2018 on Cellar Live. Sean Smith earned his Bachelor of Music from the Manhattan School of Music and lives in New York City.

www.SeanSmithJazz.com

Tags

Sean Smith Bass Composer Sean Smith Quartet The Humanity Quartet

Album Review

Sean Smith Quartet Live by C. Michael Bailey
Poise by Glenn Astarita
Trust by Dan Bilawsky
Humanity by Jack Bowers
Humanity by Dr. Judith Schlesinger
What to Wear in the Dark by Dan McClenaghan
What to Wear in the Dark by C. Michael Bailey

“Poise is such an apt word in describing Sean Smith. …[He] has an unlimited future as straight as the crow flies.” Harvey Siders" JazzTimes

“Smith’s been steadily building both a strong book of original pieces and a firm rapport…” John Donohue" New Yorker Magazine

“The arrangements are cool, the ballads moody and gorgeous. Both sophisticated and emotional, intricate and uncluttered, it reveals richer artistry with each spin. Highly recommended.” 4&1/2 stars Judith Schlesinger" AllMusicGuide.com

“Sean understands! He also happens to be one of our most promising young composers.” Phil Woods

“Poise is such an apt word in describing Sean Smith. …[He] has an unlimited future as straight as the crow flies.” Harvey Siders" JazzTimes

“Smith’s been steadily building both a strong book of original pieces and a firm rapport…” John Donohue" New Yorker Magazine

“Sean understands! He also happens to be one of our most promising young composers.” Phil Woods

“No doubt, this band surges forward with a noticeable degree of self-assurance and refinement. …The title of this production provides credence to the musicians’ articulate interplay and tightly integrated approach. Recommended.” Glenn Astarita" AllAboutJazz.com

“…Smith not only reiterates his talent as a bassist but establishes himself as a composer who shows you don’t have to be quirky and abrasive in order to be freshly modern. His originals are highly listenable and thought provoking music for both head and heart.” Ira Gitler

“The first eight of the nine selections are Smith’s and, writing as one who ordinarily prefers the standard repertoire, I can vouch for their capacity to ensnare and hold one’s attention. Mine never wavered…” Jack Bowers" Cadence Magazine

“It is music by a working band at ease with one another…Smith pieces that sustain interest, something that cannot be said about the masses of originals that clog so many jazz CDs.” Doug Ramsey" JazzTimes

“Quiet, poetic, and lyrical, Sean Smith reminds us that the best jazz comes from the heart, not merely from the mind or the fingers. …He takes us on compelling journeys, full of sounds that fall gracefully on the ear.” James Gavin" Grammy nominated author and journalist

“…Smith’s debut disc as a leader exhibits his growing skills as a composer and bandleader. He writes engaging themes, interacts with compatible sidemen…” David Orthmann" Jazziz

“…Smith and his sidemen take post-bop formations and make them anew with well-crafted improvisations.” Jules Epstein" Philadelphia Tribune

“…These are more than just exquisitely talented musicians.” 4 stars J. Robert Bragonier" 52ndStreet.com

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Primary Instrument

Bass, acoustic

Willing to teach

Advanced only

Credentials/Background

Primary Instrument

Bass, acoustic

Willing to teach

Advanced only

Credentials/Background

Sean Smith Bassist, Composer & Teacher Bassist Sean Smith has been an integral part of the international jazz scene for more than 30 years. He has appeared in many of the major jazz festivals, concert halls, and clubs all over the world. Sean has performed with Gerry Mulligan, Phil Woods, Benny Carter, Flip Phillips, Clark Terry, Johnny Griffin, Lee Konitz, Art Farmer, Tom Harrell, Jacky Terrasson, Bill Charlap, Peggy Lee, Rosemary Clooney, Mark Murphy, Jimmy Scott, Andy Bey, Tracy K. Smith (winner of the 2012 Pulitzer Prize for Poetry), and many others. Sean is also a prolific composer whose works have been played and recorded by such artists as Phil Woods, Mark Murphy, Bill Charlap, Gene Bertoncini, Leon Parker, and Bill Mays. His music has also been featured in several films. Lyrical, melodic, cinematic, and songful best describe Sean's compositions. Ira Gitler has written “His originals are highly listenable and thought provoking music for both head and heart”. Smith’s “Song For The Geese” is the title track of Mark Murphy’s 1998 Grammy nominated album for RCA/BMG. Sean's ensemble was awarded the CMA/ASCAP Award for Adventurous Programming in 2015. In 2007 Sean received a Bistro Award for Outstanding Instrumentalist. Sean was a member of the Jacky Terrasson Trio for four years. His work with Terrasson and Emmanuel Pahud on Into The Blue (EMI/Blue Note) was nominated for a 2003 Grammy Award. For the last 20 years Sean Smith has been a leader of his own group. His dynamic working quartet includes John Ellis on the saxophones, Nate Radley at the guitar, Russell Meissner at the drums, and Sean at the bass. Their recordings include Sean Smith Quartet Live! (Chiaroscuro Records), and Poise (Ambient Records), both featuring his compositions. The Sean Smith Quartet performs regularly in New York City. Their most recent recording, Trust, was released in 2011 on ™ and received rave reviews. Sean is co-leader of The Humanity Quartet, a newly formed group featuring Joel Frahm, Peter Bernstein, and Leon Parker. Their first recording, Humanity, was released in 2018 on Cellar Live. Sean Smith earned his Bachelor of Music from the Manhattan School of Music and lives in New York City. www.SeanSmithJazz.com

Show less