The Courtney Smith Quartet
| Courtney Smith: Piano
Courtney Smith was born in Salt Lake City in 1983. His love for music began at age three when he began to pick out chords at the piano and by age five he was playing church songs with both hands. At age six he began learning Hammond Organ at the Calvary Baptist Church under continuing organist, Christy Anderson. At age 8 he became a tenuring musician for the Calvary Baptist Church and continues in that role to this day. His interest for Jazz began in High School under the leadership of Orchestra conductor, Ken Green. In an environment that encouraged learning and expansion of the mind through music, he learned about the likes of John Coltrane, Vince Guaraldi, and Herbie Hancock, one of his influences. In 2002, Courtney began composition studies at the University of Utah where he is currently in attendance. Since going to the University, he has expanded his musical education to take in the influence of pianists like Chick Corea, Renee Rosnes, and the great Bill Evans. He plans to graduate with a degree in composition. He's been privileged enough to share the stage with the likes of Randy Brecker and Wynton Marsalis. Along with bandmates Alex Rowe, Bobby James, and Dan Nelson, he has also played with David "Fathead" Newman, famed saxaphonist for Ray Charles. He has also met Gladys Knight. Courtney promises a bright future in continuing the tradition of expressional jazz piano playing. A style that isn't flashy but promises to inject emotional content and sensitive texture. Bobby James: Drums Bobby James is one of the industries brightest and most driven emerging talents in music today. “Bobby is proof that the art of drumming is not lost…when others are looking back he is constantly moving forward, breaking boundaries and idioms surrounding music today.” – Herman Hampton Playing the drums since he could hold a pair of sticks, Bobby immediately demonstrated an incredible musical talent, which has rewarded him with many distinct and recognizable honors, such as: the Fidelity Investments scholarship, and the Berklee College of Music world scholarship tour scholarship. He has also received many awards at jazz festivals across the U.S., including awards from the Percussive Arts Society, the UNC Greeley, Colorado jazz festival, and Berklee College of Music, to name a few. Bobby has not only received many awards for his musical achievements, he has had the honor of sharing the stage with such artists as: David “Fat Head” Newman, Wynton Marsalis, Herman Hampton, Paul Fontaine, and Tucker Rountree, again, just to name a few. Dan Nelson Dan Nelson's first instrument is accordian, but as a sax player he has toured extensively across America, Canada and Europe. He currently studies jazz performance and composition at the University of Utah. Dan has been playing saxophone and writing music for 22 years. He resides in Salt Lake City with his wife and a reggae band. | |