Walter Smith III
Saxophonist Walter Smith III is a forward-thinking musician with a bent toward swinging post-bop jazz and modern creative composition. Along with projects with Joshua Redman and Christian Scott, Smith has garnered attention for his own albums like 2006's Casually Introducing and 2014's Still Casual, the latter of which featured trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire and guitarist Matthew Stevens. Smith and Stevens also have an ongoing collaboration featuring a revolving lineup showcased on 2018's In Common, 2020's In Common II, 2022's In Common III, and 2023's Return to Casual.
A native of Houston, Texas, Smith began studying the saxophone at age seven, and by his teens had earned a full scholarship to Berklee College of Music in Boston. In 2003, after graduating Berklee with a degree in music education, Smith earned a Graduate Diploma from the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz. He then finished his Masters of Music in Jazz Studies at Manhattan School of Music. As a professional musician, Smith has performed with such luminaries as trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire, trumpeter Terence Blanchard, drummer Roy Haynes, pianist Eric Reed, and many others. In 2006, he released his debut album as leader, Casually Introducing, and followed it up three years later with Live in Paris.
On 2010's III, he was joined by Akinmusire, along with pianist Jason Moran, bassist Joe Sanders, and drummer Eric Harland. In 2014, Smith returned with Still Casual, which also featured Akinmusire, as well as pianist Taylor Eigsti, guitarist Matthew Stevens, bassist Harish Raghavan, and drummer Kendrick Scott. He then joined fellow saxophonist Dayna Stephens for Reminiscent and returned to his solo work with the 2018 trio effort Twio, featuring saxophonist Joshua Redman and bassist Christian McBride. Also that year, Smith released In Common, the debut from his collaborative project with guitarist Stevens, featuring Raghavan, Marcus Gilmore, and Joel Ross.
The following year, Smith accepted the position of chair of the woodwind department at the Berklee College of Music. In Common II arrived in 2020 and featured a different lineup with Smith and Stevens joined by Micah Thomas, Linda May Han Oh, and Nate Smith. Following projects with Joel Ross, Dave Stryker, and Connie Han, Smith reunited with Stevens for In Common III, which found them working with veteran bassist Dave Holland and pianist Kris Davis. In April 2023, Smith released Return to Casual, and in keeping with continuity, re-enlisted the lineup from 2014's Still Casual, with pianist James Francies guesting on "KB + BYUS."
© Matt Collar /TiVo
Discography
18 album(s) • Sorted by Bestseller
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In Common: Walter Smith III, Matthew Stevens, Joel Ross, Harish Raghavan & Marcus Gilmore
Matthew Stevens, Walter Smith III
Contemporary Jazz - Released by Whirlwind Recordings on Nov 9, 2018
24-Bit 88.2 kHz - Stereo -
Variations in Blue
Jazz - Released by Stunt Records on Oct 6, 2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
In Common III
Walter Smith III, Matthew Stevens
Contemporary Jazz - Released by Whirlwind Recordings on Feb 11, 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
In Common 2
Walter Smith III, Matthew Stevens
Contemporary Jazz - Released by Whirlwind Recordings on May 15, 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Loping
Walter Smith III, Matthew Stevens
Jazz - Released by Whirlwind Recordings on Feb 4, 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Orange Crush
Walter Smith III, Matthew Stevens
Contemporary Jazz - Released by Whirlwind Recordings on Jan 14, 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
return to casual
Jazz - Released by Blue Note Records on Apr 7, 2023
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Lotto
Walter Smith III, Matthew Stevens, Micah Thomas, Linda May Han Oh, Nate Smith
Contemporary Jazz - Released by Whirlwind Recordings on Apr 21, 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
ACE
Walter Smith III, Matthew Stevens
Contemporary Jazz - Released by Whirlwind Recordings on Oct 5, 2018
24-Bit 88.2 kHz - Stereo -
Bronze
Mark Small, Walter Smith III, Matt Stevens, Alan Hampton, Chris van Voorst van Beest, Bill Campbell
Jazz - Released by Fresh Sound Records on Nov 30, 2009
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Green Waves
Jazz - Released by Fresh Sound New Talent on Jun 23, 2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
For Some Time
Walter Smith III, Matthew Stevens
Jazz - Released by Whirlwind Recordings on Feb 25, 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Provinces
Walter Smith III, Matthew Stevens, Micah Thomas, Linda May Han Oh, Nate Smith
Contemporary Jazz - Released by Whirlwind Recordings on Apr 15, 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Roy Allan
Walter Smith III, Matthew Stevens, Micah Thomas, Linda May Han Oh, Nate Smith
Contemporary Jazz - Released by Whirlwind Recordings on Apr 3, 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
freefive
Walter Smith III, Matthew Stevens
Contemporary Jazz - Released by Whirlwind Recordings on Sep 18, 2018
24-Bit 88.2 kHz - Stereo