projects
Fathertime
Digital album available only through Bandcamp
Fathertime is a two volume project that was created during the COVID-19 pandemic. It explores the possibilities of multiple instruments being overdubbed in a home studio setting.
This is Water
Digital album available only through Bandcamp:
Email bryan.mc.smith@gmail.com to get a physical CD. Only available through this site or at Gigs.
Let Me Take You There
Digital album available only through Bandcamp:
Only available digitally through Bandcamp
The RE: Project
During 2014, I worked on a recording project through the artist support program at Jack Straw Productions in Seattle, WA. The music for this project was for solo alto saxophone and overdubs. Going into this recording, my intentions were to explore sonic landscapes and the perception of space by positioning each of my performances in different locations within the studio. Almost the entire recording process was improvised. The only compositional materials that I brought into sessions were conceptual postproduction ideas that I felt would help shape the overall pieces. Above is a video I created to promote the release of the recording. You can hear and download the entire recording at my Bandcamp page.
For more information, visit my successfully funded Kickstarter page: http://kck.st/1pripPF
About
Saxophonist, composer and educator Bryan Smith has been an active member of the jazz and improvised music scene in the Northwest. Having been a musician in both Seattle and Portland, Smith has been able to develop a unique and individualistic voice that is synonymous with West Coast jazz. Influenced by West Coast bebop with players such as Warne Marsh, Lee Konitz, and Lennie Tristano, mixed with the alternative rock of the 90’s that was popularized in the Northwest, Smith has found a way to incorporate history and regional identity in his music.
Growing up in Portland, Smith was introduced to the saxophone and jazz music early on through Portland Public School music programs and eventually the Portland Youth Jazz Orchestra. Smith eventually landed in Flagstaff, Arizona on a full tuition scholarship to pursue music. It was during these four years Smith developed his proficiency in classical saxophone. As the winner of the 2006 Concerto Composition, he had the opportunity to perform as a soloist with the Northern Arizona University Symphony.
After receiving a bachelor’s degree at Northern Arizona University, Smith continued his studies at the University of Washington in Seattle and graduated with a Master of Music. He continued to live in Seattle after graduation and was an active leader and sideman with many groups, including the Seattle Symphony, Seattle Youth Symphony, Seattle Modern Orchestra, Anomie Belle, Seabop and the Fabulous Party Boys. Smith also led and organized modern jazz ensemble Jargon and released two records as a leader, See, See and The RE: Project, the latter of which was created through an artistic residency granted to Smith by the Jack Straw Cultural Center.
In 2015 Smith moved back to his hometown and has been an active educator with Portland middle, high school and adult students. Smith currently is the music director for a small charter school in Canby, Oregon, a faculty member with the Portland Jazz Youth Orchestra, and teaches privately out of his home studio. He can be found performing around town with ensembles such as the Portland Jazz Composer Ensemble, Transcendental Brass Band and Portland Choir and Orchestra. Additionally, Smith leads a performance lecture series call the History or Bebop that aims to educate audiences on jazz music during the 1940’s and 50’s. In October 2017, Smith will be going back into the studio to record his third album as a leader.