Client References

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• Solo / Ensemble Performer for Events:



'Rich Smith is blessed with extraordinary talent on the keys, can play for long
periods with the stamina of a Kenyan marathoner, and he has a keen sense of "the room"
when it comes to setting the tone and tempo of his improvisational genius.  We were honored
to have him create the mood at our holiday party for our 500+ guests and he was capable of
being both a visible and ethereal influence on the atmosphere.  And that doesn't scratch the
surface of his abilities as a concert pianist.  In those venues, his original work is thoroughly
delightful and capable of invoking vivid imagery.  Smith's improv work is uniquely engaging
and his renditions of the classics are fun and refreshing.  He is a piano-lovers joy.'
 
~ Jeff Stein, Premiere Radio Networks



'Dear Rich, On behalf of the Santa Monica Historical Society Museum, I want to thank
you for playing the piano and singing so beautifully at Mae LaBorde's 100th
birthday celebration. You were an important part of the event.'
 
~ Louise Gabriel, President and CEO



'To listen to music by Rich Smith is to be in touch with the varied emotions of
human existence. Whether it is a gathering for a building dedication, a fun
party or a more somber memorial service, he has just the right touch.

Just to give you one example: following a party to celebrate the
completion of our new office building, not only did guests remark
how much they enjoyed Rich Smith's keyboard improvisations,
but my sister-in-law, who sings soprano in her city's choir,
was captivated by his music.  We have since that occasion,
given her some of Rich's CDs for her home enjoyment.

Whenever you are thinking of music to enrich your life,
I would say, "Think...Rich Smith."'

~ Betty Chang



'With his sensational playing Rich’s inspiring music gave so much color,
warmth and beauty to our special day that touched our hearts deeply and therefore made it
complete. Our wedding was outdoors and it was very cold, but with Rich’s music we were filled
with warmth that made us forget about the weather and let us enjoy our special day fully.
His music literally takes over and creates this beautiful, warm, cozy atmosphere.'

~ Christine and Michael Soehner



'Thank you, Rich, for the FANTASTIC time that we had the day of our wedding.
All our guests loved your music. Everything was perfect.'

~ Myriam and George Guzman



'Rich Smith's love for the piano is obvious to anybody who's seen
him play. In 2002, my father discovered Rich performing publically and sat
enthralled in the whimsical improvisations that mark his unique style. We had
found the musician for my parents' upcoming new building opening celebration
- by far the biggest party we'd thrown in years. Rich came fully equipped, not just
with the instrument of his profession but also with his passion for the music.
Many guests remarked how great the music sounded, and several of us
came away with new CD's that day. When my father passed away this
spring, we knew that Rich should be the one to play at his service.
This time Rich called upon an entirely different kind of sound,
appropriate to the occasion, but grounded in his
understanding of making music move. It
has been a pleasure to hear Rich's piano playing.
I certainly recommend his services to anyone with
a special occasion, and personally look forward to
the next time I hear his music. Thanks Rich.'

~ Katherine Knorr



'Rich Smith and his band are not just any ordinary band out there.
They are great musicians. Rich creates his own music, with his own style, and
his music is full of passion. We have known him since the 3rd Street Promenade
years, and he has still been the greatest pianist that we have known since then.'

~ Benny Chan



'We are very honored to have had Rich as our pianist for our wedding.
Everybody was very impressed with his performance.  After my wedding,
everyone came and asked me, "How did you find such a great pianist?"
All my friends and families are super impressed with his performance
and they are all amazed with his work.  It is truly a treasure to have
Rich perform in our wedding, something that I will never forget.
Rich is definitely one of the best pianists I have met so far,
his music is full of passion, innovations and creativity.'

~ Janice So



'We've had the pleasure of having Rich in our home playing the piano for me
and my family once a week for the past seven years and we would
not know what to do without him. His music is part of our living.
We look forward to having him here on a weekly basis'.

~ Martin and Rose Levin



'Rich Smith. Never has a musician been so aptly named.
Indeed, had Rich Smith not been the name given him by his parents
in an act of seemingly perfect prognostication, fate would have necessitated
the name be bestowed upon him as an honorary title, as those granted to Champions.

For Rich Smith plays with a tone, style, nuance and emotion that is undeniably rich.

And his unwavering stamina, which allows him to play and create for long stretches at a time,
combined with his passion for perfection and attention to detail, assure all those fortunate
enough to see him play and hear his music that he is in his chosen art, truly, a smith.'

~ Eric Joseph Stein



'Regarding the evening when you came over to play for us, it was simply wonderful.
Your improvisational music was very soothing and relaxing.
It really set the romantic tone for our one-month
wedding anniversary.
It took the evening up several notches.

It amazes us how beautiful your improvisational playing was.
We will more than gladly refer you to friends, family and colleagues anyday.'

~ Louisa Kwan & Tim Anderson



'Rich's music set the mood of our wedding superbly
from start to finish. There were just so many great parts.
We really liked how he improvised the classics
and merged them together.

Our favorite part was how the entrance
music progressed through to the bridal march.
The music flowed from one part to the next
as if it was all one piece of music.

He's very flexible with requests - one of
our guests had asked him to play a piece
of music so our guest could serenade us.
It was a very touching moment.

Everyone loved Rich’s music.'

~ Cathy & James Schwab



'Not only does he play well, he always presents himself with such style and panache.
The residents love his music. He has been coming to us for 8 years and we hope he will
continue to come. His program is varied and never boring. Keep up the good work, Rich.'

~ Jan Ingram, Activities Director, The Gardens of Santa Monica



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• Producer / Engineer:



'As a recording engineer, Rich gives you lots of freedom as an artist
and he knows how to work with you and the music in order to
capture your vitality on the recording.'

~ Christine Katzenmaier



'Rich Smith coproduced my album, Ancient Partners, as if it were
his own. His excitement about the project, and constant quest for realizing
the album's essence on the disc was an inspiration to me.'

~ Raymond Egan



'Rich Smith recorded and produced my first album, Voices And Footsteps.
He was completely prepared for our first meeting and we were quickly able to
determine the best way to record the tracks. Once the music was recorded
Rich took care of everything else as well - editing, mixing, mastering,
and even the graphic design for the cd art. The result is a beautiful disc
musically and visually. Rich dedicated a lot of attention to the album and his
production improved it in ways I hadn't even anticipated before the recording process began.'

~ David Bourman



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• Graphic Designer:



It was a great pleasure working with Rich on the cover of my CD.
He is professional, creative, patient, and attentive to detail.
He creates a comfortable, relaxing environment that
enables the process to evolve organically.

~ Emerson Pirot



'All of our correspondence in the making of my project,
"This Way to Asia", was via the internet from Japan to the USA.
Rich did a brilliant design, even more than I originally envisioned.'

~ Akiyoshi Okamura



'I came to Rich Smith with the vaguest sort of idea for the graphics
for the Ancient Partners CD cover. Though I am admittedly biased,
what he came up with is the most riveting CD graphic I've ever seen.'

~ Raymond Egan



'I gave Rich Smith a very disorganized skeleton of materials, photos, credits,
etcetera, which he magically turned into a beautifully artistic and coherent design.
His easygoing nature and heartfelt determination to give me the best possible
product made a potentially stressful situation enjoyable and most satisfying.
I'm already looking forward to handing over my next little baby
to Rich with total confidence.'

~ Mike Lane



'I have now done four CD's, but my "Thirteenth Idiot Blessed" project that
Rich Smith helped me with was by far the most competently executed. His work
was delivered on schedule and within budget. With this project I had a pretty clear
idea where I wanted to go and he was able to realize my vision with very little trouble.
He was also able to recognize technical imperfections in my own preparatory
materials, and when this occurred his creative input was very helpful.'

~ Frederick Moore



'working with Rich was great! I pretty much had the design but I needed help
getting it in the correct templates. I would recommend Rich to anyone!'

~ john wyatt - son of bison



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• Piano Technician:



'I have been very fortunate to have found Rich Smith, a wonderful
piano technician who has been taking care of my Yamaha DC7 piano for the past
2 years. I probably don't tune as often as I should, but Rich is a perfectionist
and takes whatever time is needed to make my piano sound great.

My DC7 is equipped with the Disklavier system (the main reason I
purchased it) and Rich took it upon himself to get the necessary service
manuals which would enable him to service and maintain my instrument.
Throughout the years, I have used the top piano technicians in the
L. A. area and I consider Rich Smith to be one of the best.'

~ Ron Feuer



'Rich Smith has an impeccable ear: after he prepares a piano,
it always sings with a round, crystal clear tone.'

~ Tamir Hendelman



'Rich is the best piano tuner we've every had at our studio, just ask our clients.

Rich puts in that extra little detail of perfectionism in everything he does.
My piano has never sounded better than after he's tuned and voiced it perfectly.'

~ Paul Tavenner, Big City Recording Studios



'A more thorough, exacting, patient and knowledgeable technician you will
have a hard time finding. Also, his honesty and willingness to solve
problems are extra ordinary and beyond the call - just ask me.'

~ Rick Cullen



'We have found Rich Smith to be outstanding to work with.
He is professional, prompt, thorough, and fair. I cannot extol Rich enough.'

~ Father Joshua Peter Lee, Pastor, Saint Hilary Church



'Rich takes great care in the process of tuning a piano.
After his tuning, my Kawai sang out as never before!'

~ Emerson Pirot



'Rich Smith is extremely thorough with his piano tuning; he is a true
professional, and spends the time not only to tune the piano, but to
diagnose its problems the same way a doctor would diagnose a patient.

Like a good doctor, he keeps an electronic history of my instrument (such
as strings that are rusted, humidity of the room, etc), each time he visits.
This way, he can tell me what I can do to continue improving the
maintanence of my instrument.

As a piano teacher, I do not hesitate to refer Rich Smith to every single one
of my clients. If my student's piano is so badly out of tune, he will make a
follow up visit to ensure that the piano stays in tune.

Through his careful notes, he knows what to expect each time he visits,
making the tuning not just another mere exercise, but more like a good
relationship with the piano. I am extremely happy with his services.'

~ Anthony Aviguetero



'His amazingly sensitive ear is able to correct the slightest errors.
No matter if it is light tuning or if a part needs repair, with his masterful skills,
Rich will treat the piano from the source with thorough attention of expertise.
I know that my piano will always be in good hands, thanks to Rich.'

~ Christine Katzenmaier



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