Derek Smith (musician)
Encyclopedia
Derek Smith is an English
jazz
pianist
.
Smith played piano from a very young age, and worked professionally from age 14. In the 1950s he played with many noted British jazz
musicians, such as Kenny Graham, John Dankworth
, and Kenny Baker
, then moved to New York City
in the middle of the decade. He continued playing jazz in America with Benny Goodman
and Connie Kay
, among others, and also worked copiously as a session musician
for recordings. In the 1960s he played piano in the Tonight Show Band, the orchestra led by Doc Severinsen
for the Tonight Show. He continued to work with Goodman in the 1970s, and recorded often as a leader from 1978. He worked as a solo performer into the 2000s and also played in a trio with Bobby Rosengarden
and Milt Hinton
.
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
pianist
Pianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
.
Smith played piano from a very young age, and worked professionally from age 14. In the 1950s he played with many noted British jazz
British jazz
British jazz is a form of music derived from American jazz. It reached Britain through recordings and performers who visited the country while it was a relatively new genre, soon after the end of World War I. Jazz began to be played by British musicians from the 1930s and on a widespread basis in...
musicians, such as Kenny Graham, John Dankworth
John Dankworth
Sir John Phillip William Dankworth, CBE , known in his early career as Johnny Dankworth, was an English jazz composer, saxophonist and clarinetist...
, and Kenny Baker
Kenny Baker (trumpeter)
Kenny Baker was born on 1 March 1921 in Withernsea, East Riding of Yorkshire and died 7 December 1999. He was an accomplished player of jazz trumpet, cornet and flugelhorn, and a composer.-Biography:...
, then moved to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
in the middle of the decade. He continued playing jazz in America with Benny Goodman
Benny Goodman
Benjamin David “Benny” Goodman was an American jazz and swing musician, clarinetist and bandleader; widely known as the "King of Swing".In the mid-1930s, Benny Goodman led one of the most popular musical groups in America...
and Connie Kay
Connie Kay
Connie Kay was an American jazz drummer.Kay was a member of the Modern Jazz Quartet from 1955 until the group's dissolution in 1974...
, among others, and also worked copiously as a session musician
Session musician
Session musicians are instrumental and vocal performers, musicians, who are available to work with others at live performances or recording sessions. Usually such musicians are not permanent members of a musical ensemble and often do not achieve fame in their own right as soloists or bandleaders...
for recordings. In the 1960s he played piano in the Tonight Show Band, the orchestra led by Doc Severinsen
Doc Severinsen
Carl Hilding "Doc" Severinsen is an American pop and jazz trumpeter. He is best known for leading the NBC Orchestra on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.-Early life:...
for the Tonight Show. He continued to work with Goodman in the 1970s, and recorded often as a leader from 1978. He worked as a solo performer into the 2000s and also played in a trio with Bobby Rosengarden
Bobby Rosengarden
Robert Marshall Rosengarden was a jazz drummer, percussionist and bandleader. A native of Elgin, Illinois, he was a solid and versatile contributor on countless recording sessions and playing in TV network orchestras and talk-show bands.Rosengarden began playing drums when he was 12, and later...
and Milt Hinton
Milt Hinton
Milton John "Milt" Hinton , "the dean of jazz bass players," was an American jazz double bassist and photographer. He was nicknamed "The Judge".-Biography:...
.
As leader
- Love for Sale (Progressive RecordsProgressive Records-Artists:*Harry Allen*Laurie Altman*Milt Buckner*Chris Connor*Alice Cooper*Buddy DeFranco*Tommy Flanagan*Don Friedman*Al Haig*Sir Roland Hanna*Hank Jones*Lee Konitz*Stan Mark*Red Norvo*Maddy Prior*Derek Smith*Steeleye Span*Sonny Stitt*U.K. Subs...
, 1978) - My Favorite Things (Progressive, 1978)
- The Man I Love (Statiras Records, 1978)
- Derek Smith Trio Plays Jerome KernJerome KernJerome David Kern was an American composer of musical theatre and popular music. One of the most important American theatre composers of the early 20th century, he wrote more than 700 songs, used in over 100 stage works, including such classics as "Ol' Man River", "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man", "A...
(Progressive, 1980) - I'm Old Fashioned (Progressive, 1980)
- Dark Eyes (Eastwind Records, 1983)
- Derek Smith Plays the Passionate Piano (Special Music, 1987)
- New Orleans Mardi Gras Explosion (Special Music, 1994)
- The Trio - 1994 (Chiaroscuro Records, 1994)
- New Orleans Mardi Gras Explosion (Special Music, 1994)
- Dixieland Dance Party (Essex RecordsEssex RecordsEssex Records was founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1951 by David Miller primarily to record contemporary country and western, rhythm and blues as well as jazz and gospel. Jack Howard was the promotion manager. The label had little popular success. They issued a 1954 single called "Oh, Mein...
, 1995) - High Energy (Arbors RecordsArbors RecordsArbors Records is an independent American jazz record label based in Clearwater, Florida. It was founded by the family team of Mat and Rachel Domber in 1989, initially devoted to the recordings of their friend Rick Fay.-History:...
, 2002) - Live in London (Harkit Records, 2004)
As sideman
With Marlena ShawMarlena Shaw
Marlena Shaw is an American singer. Shaw began her singing career in the 1960s and is still singing today. Her music has often been sampled in hip hop music, and used in television commercials.-Biography:She was first introduced to music by her uncle Jimmy Burgess, a jazz trumpet player...
- MarlenaMarlena (Marlena Shaw album)Marlena is an album by American vocalist Marlena Shaw recorded in 1972 and released on the Blue Note label. The album was Shaw's third release and her first for the Blue Note label.-Track listing:...
(Blue NoteBlue Note RecordsBlue Note Records is a jazz record label, established in 1939 by Alfred Lion and Max Margulis. Francis Wolff became involved shortly afterwards. It derives its name from the characteristic "blue notes" of jazz and the blues. At the end of the 1950s, and in the early 1960s, Blue Note headquarters...
, 1972) - From the Depths of My SoulFrom the Depths of My SoulFrom the Depths of My Soul is an album by American vocalist Marlena Shaw recorded in 1973 and released on the Blue Note label.-Track listing:# "Prelude / I Know I Love Him" - 3:11# "Hum This Song" - 3:08# "But For Now" - 3:48# "Easy Evil" - 3:39...
(Blue Note, 1973)
See also
- The Green BirdThe Green Bird (score)"The Green Bird" score is composed and orchestrated by Elliot Goldenthal for the 1999 musical of the same name, directed by long-time Goldenthal collaborator Julie Taymor; it is an allegorical fairy tale of a royal family's rite of passage after being separated by a wicked grandmother.The score...
(Elliot GoldenthalElliot GoldenthalElliot Goldenthal is an American composer of contemporary classical music. He was a student of Aaron Copland and John Corigliano, and is best known for his distinctive style and ability to blend various musical styles and techniques in original and inventive ways...
musical in which he performed.)