“Trust,” New CD from Jazz Bassist/Composer Sean Smith, Due March 1

For bassist/composer Sean Smith, his
forthcoming CD “Trust” opens an exciting new chapter in his musical
life. It’s his third album as a leader but his first since 2001 and the
debut release for his own imprint, Smithereen Records. It features his
well-traveled quartet of guitarist John Hart, saxophonist John Ellis,
and drummer Russell Meissner, exploring his original compositions. And
it marks a rededication to his music following his recovery from a
career-threatening incident in 2007.

Richmond, CA (PRWE January 27, 2011

Jazz bassist/composer Sean Smith
makes a welcome return to recording with “Trust”—his third album as a
leader, his first since 2001, and the debut release for his own imprint,
Smithereen Records. Smith’s swinging, finely attuned quartet, which
consists of guitarist John Hart, saxophonist John Ellis, and drummer
Russell Meissner, is dedicated to exploring Smith’s original
compositions.

“Trust is such a big part of what we do,” Smith says. “I trust that
these guys are going to interpret my pieces without me telling them very
much. Oftentimes they make them sound better than I had envisioned.
They’ll suggest something, or go with an idea and trust that it will be
the right thing at the moment.”

Among the 12 highly melodic, evocative originals on the new CD are
the bracing opener “Betting Blind,” an homage to Wayne Shorter titled
“Wayne’s World,” the deceptively simple “Homemade Japanese Folk Song”
(performed in a round), and the samba “Margin of Error.” “Melody is
incredibly important to me,” Smith says. “The other foundations are
crucial, but melody is usually what the tunes are based on, not a set of
chord changes that sound good to play on.”

Over the past two decades, the Connecticut native has earned the
respect and confidence of his musical peers with his commanding
technique, rich tone, prolific output as a composer, and chameleon-like
ability to match his shading to a multitude of rarefied musical
settings. He’s performed and recorded with many of jazz’s most
influential and revered artists, including Benny Carter, Clark Terry,
Phil Woods, Lee Konitz, Johnny Griffin, Art Farmer, Gerry Mulligan, Tom
Harrell, Peggy Lee, Andy Bey, and Jimmy Scott. A productive four-year
stint with pianist Jacky Terrasson greatly heightened his international
profile.

Smith’s compositions have been recorded by jazz luminaries such as
Phil Woods, Bill Charlap, Leon Parker, Gene Bertoncini, Bill Mays, and
vocalist Mark Murphy, who added lyrics to Sean’s “Song for the Geese”
and used it as a title track for his 1998 Grammy-nominated album.

The bassist’s debut as a leader was the 1999 Chiaroscuro album “Sean
Smith Quartet Live!,” with alto saxophonist Allen Mezquida, pianist Bill
Charlap, and drummer Ron Vincent. Smith followed with “Poise” (Ambient,
2001), which once again featured Mezquida and Charlap as well as
guitarist Keith Ganz and drummer Russell Meissner. Critic Ira Gitler has
called Smith’s work “thought-provoking music for both head and heart.”

Smith’s career was threatened by a March 2007 incident related to his
volunteering for a local animal shelter, when a dog he had never walked
before turned out to be a dangerous animal. The dog bit off the end of
his left middle finger, and Smith was plunged into an intense
post-surgery rehabilitation that required him to, as he puts it,
“relearn how to play several times.” He kept working throughout the
ordeal, and though he’s fully recovered now, the experience changed his
life—and the way he plays his instrument. “It forced me to prioritize my
own music,” says Smith. “For that, I’m grateful.”

The Sean Smith Quartet has been together for a dozen years in one
form or another. Now that Smith has established his own label, might
jazz fans anticipate more frequent recordings from them? “I can’t tell
you how empowering it is for an artist to have complete control over
every aspect of a project—not only the music but the entire
presentation. It’s exciting,” says Smith. “I’m already looking forward
to the next CD with the quartet as I have many compositions I’d like to
record.”

The Sean Smith Quartet will perform at Birdland, New York City, on Monday, April 4, from 7:30 to 9:00 pm.