Richard Smith

As a world renowned solo artist, composer and arranger, Richard Smith has earned such accolades as a nomination for best jazz album of the year Ad Lib Magazine, 1989, best new artist, Radio and Records Magazine, 1990 and 3 Top 5 Jazz albums.

His specialty is in contemporary jazz, studio guitar techniques, music technology and commercial music.

Richard is also the Director/Creator of the USC guitar ensemble "Superaxe" which has won numerous outstanding musicianship awards, first place honors at The Berkeley and Fullerton Collegiate Jazz Festivals, and invitations to perform at the world renowned Montreaux Jazz Festival (Switzerland).

Richard has a BS in Music from the University of Oregon, 1983, and an MM in Guitar Performance, 1985, from the University of Southern California.

Educator

Current Chair of the Studio/Jazz Guitar Department
Previously Assistant Professor of Music, USC School of Music
Private students have gone on to work as feature members of the Ray Charles Orchestra, Capitol recording artist and Grammy award winning ensemble Shadowfax, Maynard Ferguson and Billy Mitchell

Performer

In his recording and concertizing with such artists as Richard Elliot, Dan Siegel, Kenny G. and Warren Hill, Richard Smith has made numerous visits to Asia, Canada, Europe, and the Caribbean.

Other concert recording credits include Bob Hope and Sam Riney

Live performance tour highlights with Richard Elliot and as a solo artist include Town Hall, NYC; Orchestra Hall, Chicago; the Universal and Greek Amphitheaters and the Catalina Jazz Festival.

Festival performances include The Montreal, Monterey, Jacksonville, JVC, Playboy, Taste of Chicago, Summerfest, World Trade Center, Madrid, Pacific Rim and San Diego Jazz Festivals.

Broadcast performances include specials for NPR, PBS, VH-1, and "Ohne Filter," a German music television program.

Lecturer

In Contemporary Jazz and Studio/Jazz guitar performances:

Musicians Academy, London
American Institute of Music, Vienna
University of Oregon
Musicians Institute, Hollywood
The Guitar Activity Center, San Francisco
Pasadena City College
Artist in Residence at the High School for Performing Arts in Greenville, SC

Recordings

Mr. Smith has recorded on the Capitol, Manhattan, Sony/CBS, Bluemoon, Optimism, Pausa, Chase Music Group, Innercity, New World, Nova and Brainchild record labels.

1994 - Solo album "From My Window"
1994 - Richard Elliot's "After Dark"
1992 - Richard Elliot's "Soul Embrace"
1991 - Solo album "Bella Firenze"
1991 - Richard Elliot's "On the Town"
1991 - Dan Siegels's "Home Town"

"From My Window" went Top 3, Radio and Records Magazine, 1994
"Bella Firenze" went Top Ten, Radio and Records Magazine, 1991

Sound Files

An .au selection of the first song of "From My Window"

Affiliations

Chairman, Technology Committee - USC School of Music
Member, Undergraduate Curriculum Committee - USC School of Music
Member, Pi Kappa Lambda
Member American Association of University Professors
Associate Director, THe Internation Musicians Institute, Malaysia

Clinician/Endorser

Gibson
Yamaha
D'Addario
Electro-Voice

More info:

http://www.smoothguitar.com/