Jimmy Smith
Jimmy Smith Trumpet
Detroit based trumpeter, composer, and arranger Jimmy Smith is among the most sought after musicians in the Midwest. He holds a Masters degree in jazz performance from The Aaron Copland School of Music, and is an alumnus of The Berklee College of Music as well as Wayne State University. Also a music educator, Jimmy has held numerous artists in residence positions in the NYC public schools, and is a certified music teacher in Michigan.
He recently released his second album as a co-leader (with The Hughes/Smith Quintet), EVER UP & ONWARD which was selected as one of AllMusic's "Top Jazz Albums" in 2015!
"...inspired by the grand Motor City jazz scene of the 1950s and early '60s, these players update and extend that tradition with excellent writing, arranging, and playing for the 21st century." Thom Jurek, All Music Guide April 2015
In addition to being a member of The Woodward Horns and The Will Sessions Band, Jimmy is also a member of The Paul Keller Orchestra. An active freelance musician, he has performed with a number of regional and national artists/acts, including The Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Aretha Franklin, The Temptations, The Four Tops, The Verve Pipe, Alexander Zonjic, Mitch Ryder, Stewart Francke, Jill Jack, Karen Newman, Melvin Davis, Pat Lewis, Johnnie Bassett, Ben Sharkey, Nicole New and Bobby Murray.
Jimmy along with James Hughes hosts a jam session every Wednesday at Black Lotus Brewing Co. in Clawson, MI. Weekly they feature a different themes and rhythm sections each week. Previous themes include Hank Mobley's "Soul Station," the CTI years of Freddie Hubbard, The Brecker Brothers, Larry Young's "Unity," The music of Lee Morgan, and the music of Fred Wesley.