Tommy Smiths Karma

  • Tuesday | 04.10.11
  • 7.30pm
  • Band on the Wall, Manchester
  • £16 on the ...

 

Born in Edinburgh in 1967, Tommy Smith is a noted saxophonist, composer, bandleader and Educator. A keen nurturer of young talent he formed The Tommy Smith Youth Jazz Orchestra in 2002 and founded the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra in 1995, one of the most successful orchestras of it’s kind anywhere in the world.

Tommy Smith first came to prominence when he won best soloist and best group titles at Edinburgh International Jazz Festival, aged 14, and he recorded his first album at 15. After studying at Berklee College of Music he joined Gary Burton’s group, touring worldwide and recording the Whiz Kids album on ECM Records.

He signed to Blue Note Records in 1989 and having formed his own record company, Spartacus, has now released twenty-four solo albums. He has presented television and radio programmes for the BBC and Channel Four and has received awards and honours including three British Jazz Awards(1989, 1996, 2002), Glasgow Jazz Festival Award for best performance (1996), BBC Heart of Jazz award, Creative Scotland Award (2000), Best Woodwind Scottish Jazz Awards (2008), the Scottish Jazz Expo Award (2009), honorary doctorates from Heriot-Watt and Glasgow Caledonian universities, a professorship from the Royal Academy of Music & Drama (2010), and Best Educator, Scottish Jazz Awards (2011). His many compositions include two sonatas and four saxophone concertos, Edinburgh (2003), Hiroshima (1998), Unirsi In Matrimonio (1988), A Scotsman in Paris (1989), The Morning of the Imminent for Dame Cleo Laine and Sir John Dankworth, the Glasgow Jazz Festival commission Beasts of Scotland, Misty Morning & No Time, and a series of large scale jazz works, including Planet Wave, ALBA, Beauty and 
the Beast, Torah and the World Of The Gods.

Currently, he tours solely with Norwegian bassist Arild Andersen, SNJO and his band Karma. Electrifying to watch live, we are delighted to present this major international artist at Band on the Wall

‘Tommy has a unique sound and approach. I liked it from when I first heard him play as a student at Berklee.’ Chick Corea

‘Tommy Smith, the most talented sax star to arrive on the world scene in years.’ Gary Burton

‘Tommy is an incredible writer and a great, great player’ John Scofield

This unreserved seated and standing concert will begin at 8pm but our Picturehouse Cafe Bar is open from 5.30pm for delicious food and drinks.

Special Offer! Book your meal in advance and get free ‘lucky dip’ tickets for a future concert – click here now for details

 

 

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