melvin smith

Biography

Melvin Smith is a versatile American saxophonist and composer, born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida. He began his musical journey at the age of twelve with the clarinet, but soon gravitated toward the tenor saxophone. By his teenage years, Smith was already performing at local venues, and his early exposure to a wide range of musical styles in Florida helped shape his eclectic approach. A pivotal moment came when his junior high jazz band performed at the Montreux Jazz Festival, solidifying his passion for jazz.

Smith's formal education began with a scholarship to the Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he studied under renowned musicians such as Andy McGhee, Billy Pierce, George Garzone, and Walter Beasley. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Professional Music, followed by a Master’s in Jazz Studies from Queens College in New York, where he further honed his craft with jazz legends like Jimmy Heath and Sir Roland Hanna. Smith has since developed a unique musical style that fuses gospel, jazz, world beat, folk, and rock influences. He has released several solo projects, including 'Portrait' (2007), 'I Surrender All' (2008), 'Evidence' (2010), 'Time Will Tell' (2014), 'New Jack Theme' (2020), and 'Blessed' (2022), the latter featuring gospel classics.

Throughout his career, Smith has performed with and opened for notable artists such as Ce Ce Winans, Donnie McClurkin, Norman Connors, Michael Henderson, Charlie Persip, and Ben Vereen. His work as both a solo artist and collaborator has made him a respected figure in contemporary gospel jazz, known for his expressive saxophone playing and innovative compositions.

Fun Facts

• Smith's junior high jazz band performed at the Montreux Jazz Festival, a formative experience that inspired his dedication to jazz.
• He was awarded the Lennie Johnson Award while studying at Berklee College of Music.
• Smith's sixth album, 'Blessed,' features his interpretations of well-known gospel tunes, including Fred Hammond's 'We're Blessed.'
• He has melded gospel, jazz, world beat, folk, and rock into his music, creating a distinctive and personal style.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Andy McGhee - Saxophone instructor at Berklee College of Music (Private instruction, ensemble work) [Early 1990s]
• Billy Pierce - Jazz studies mentor at Berklee College of Music (Private instruction, ensemble work) [Early 1990s]
• George Garzone - Jazz saxophone instructor at Berklee College of Music (Private instruction, ensemble work) [Early 1990s]
• Walter Beasley - Jazz and contemporary saxophone mentor at Berklee (Private instruction, ensemble work) [Early 1990s]
• Jimmy Heath - Jazz legend and mentor at Queens College (Master’s studies, ensemble work) [Late 1990s]
• Sir Roland Hanna - Jazz piano legend and mentor at Queens College (Master’s studies, ensemble work) [Late 1990s]

Key Collaborators

• Ce Ce Winans - Opened for gospel artist at live performances (Concerts) [2000s]
• Donnie McClurkin - Opened for gospel artist at live performances (Concerts) [2000s]
• Norman Connors - Shared the stage at live jazz events (Concerts) [2000s]
• Michael Henderson - Shared the stage at live jazz events (Concerts) [2000s]
• Charlie Persip - Shared the stage at live jazz events (Concerts) [2000s]
• Ben Vereen - Shared the stage at live jazz events (Concerts) [2000s]
• Stix Bones - Featured guest on recordings (Studio recordings) [2000s]
• New Hope Ensemble - Featured guest on recordings (Studio recordings) [2000s]
• The Back Alley Players - Featured guest on recordings (Studio recordings) [2000s]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Ain't Nobody's Fault (The Smash Records Story Vol 2)
2. It Went Down Easy (Night Life)
3. It Went Down Easy (Rock 'N' Roll Party Vol 1)
4. Looped (Rock 'N' Roll Party Vol 1)
5. Everybody´s Got The Blues (Everybody´s Got The Blues (Blues People 1953 - 1954))
6. Lift Every Voice and Sing (feat. Andrae Murchison, Jeb Patton, Corcoran Holt & Alvin Atkinson Jr.) (Evidence)
7. James (For April) [feat. Corcoran Holt & Alvin Atkinson Jr.] (Evidence)
8. Evidence (feat. Sharp Radway, Corcoran Holt & Sam Knight) (Evidence)
9. Trylenera, Pt. 3 (feat. Alvin Atkinson Jr. & Corcoran Holt) (Evidence)
10. Golden (feat. Sharp Radway, Corcoran Holt & Sam Knight) (Evidence)

External Links

• Spotify