Sean Smith (bassist)

For other uses, seeSean Smith (disambiguation).

Sean Smith
Leon Parker and Sean Smith (left) in the trio of Jacky Terrasson 2007
Background information
Birth name	Sean Smith
Born	1965 Greenwich, Connecticut,U.S.
Genres	Jazz
Occupations	Musician composer
Instrument	Double bass
Years active	1984–present
Labels	Progressive Records Chiaroscuro Records Ambient Smithereen Records
Website	www.seansmithjazz.com

Sean Smith(born 1965 inGreenwich, Connecticut)is an Americanjazzdouble bassplayer and composer.

Early life and education

Sean Smith was born inGreenwich, Connecticutin 1965. He began learning theAlto saxophonein the fourth grade, then switched to theelectric bassand playedrock and roll,before finally finding the double bass in high school and engaging with jazz music. His influences wereMiles DavisandWeather Report,especiallyWayne ShorterandJaco Pastorius.In 1990, he completed his studies at theManhattan School of Musicand had already been working in the New York jazz scene since the early 1980s.

Career

Smith made his first recordings in 1984, with guitarist Greg Packham. In the following years, he played withAllen Lowe(For Poor B.B. and Others...),Virginia Mayhew,Richard Peaslee,and with pianistBill Charlap,with whom he recorded a duo album in 1993 featuring standards like "Donna Lee","Darn That Dream",and" When Your Lover Has Gone ".

In 1999, his debut albumSean Smith Quartet Livewas recorded on theSSNorway;his quartet consisted ofAllen Mezquida(alto saxophone), Bill Charlap, and Ron Vincent (drums).Two other albums under his own name followed.

According to Judith Schlesinger ofAllMusic,writing in early 2000s, the "pitch-perfect, fluid, and elegant bassist" is one of the most employed musicians in the international jazz scene.

Smith also composes music for films.

Awards and honors

Smith received the 2007Back Stage magazine's Bistro Award in the instrumentalist category.His ensemble was awarded the CMA/ASCAPAward for Adventurous Programming in 2015.The song "Song for the Geese"composed by Smithis the title track of an album by Mark Murphy, which was nominated for aGrammy Award.The 2003 albumInto the BluebyEmmanuel Pahudand Jacky Terrasson, in which he participated as a bassist, was also nominated for a Grammy.

Selected discography

• Bill Charlap & Sean Smith(Progressive Records,1993)
• Gene Bertoncini with Bill Charlap and Sean Smith(Chiaroscuro Records,1996)
• Peter Brainin / Steve Johns Feat.Ben Monder& Sean Smith:Ceremony(Cats Paw Records, 1998)
• CCQt:Ontology(New Artists, 1998), withRichard Tabnik,Connie Crothers,Sean Smith, Roger Mancuso
• Poise(Ambient, 2001), with Allen Mezquida (as), Bill Charlap, Keith Ganz (g), Russell Meissner (dr)
• Trust(Smithereen, 2010), withJohn Ellis,John Hart
• The Humanity Quartet:Humanity(Cellar Live, 2014), withJoel Frahm,Peter Bernstein,Sean Smith,Leon Parker

External links

• Official website
• Sean SmithatAllMusic
• Sean Smithdiscography atDiscogs