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Sean Smith
Sean Smith Bassist and Composer
About Me
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 Smithereen
Records™ 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