Rich Smith Bio

RICH SMITH

Rich Smith has enchanted audiences with his impressive piano and vocal performances since the age of 6. His effortless, improvisational style of playing and his passion for music are currently drawing much attention. His repertoire is varied and extensive, including classical, jazz, blues, new age, traditional, and original songs and compositions. His solo piano CD's, THE GIANT FOREST, PIANO SAMPLER WITH A RICH TWIST, 3rd STREET IMPROV, and AUGUST SKY, have received much critical acclaim.

Rich grew up in Wellesley, Massachusetts and joined the U.S. Air Force in 1989. It was during this time that he won the AF's Worldwide Talent Competition and was selected to become a pianist for the Air Force's renowned "Tops in Blue", performing with Bob Hope and receiving standing ovations all over the world. This international tour included shows in the United States, Italy, Japan, Germany, Greece, Spain, Romania and the United Kingdom.

Upon honorary completion of his four year enlistment, Rich attended Berklee College of Music in Boston. He graduated in 1996 and moved to Los Angeles, California to pursue his career as a performer and composer. Since that time, he has written several musical scores, including the soundtrack for the independent film, LOAVES. Excerpts from his music have been featured in several television commercials.

Rich's talents are extensive. As an instrumentalist he plays piano, keyboards, guitar, clarinet, saxophone, and electric bass. The sounds of his piano music have graced such clients as the Producers Guild of America, Premiere Radio Networks, and Sony Pictures Entertainment. He owns and operates his own recording studio, which was designed by him. He tunes and maintains his own concert grand pianos, and client pianos. Rich has provided services for recordings of acclaimed session pianists Terry Trotter (Natalie Cole, "Everybody Loves Raymond"), Ron Feuer (Ernie Watts, Diana Ross, Elvis Presley, Gary Burton), George Cables (Sonny Rollins, Dizzy Gillespie, Sarah Vaughn), Tamir Hendelman (Jeff Hamilton Trio), Mark Le Vang (Frank Marocco, Tony Galla), and others. With a creative eye for art passed on from his talented and successful mother, Lee Gorman Smith, Rich is also a graphic designer for his own projects and for many independent fellow musicians including Ron Sorensen produced by Charles Floyd (conductor of over 500 orchestras with such artists as K.D. Lang and Patti LaBelle). When Rich is not at work composing, recording, designing or tuning, he can often be seen performing in the Los Angeles area, trying out new material on unsuspecting crowds.

Rich was quoted in the LA Times by Joseph Hanania: "My soul feels like a freight train, pushing me to do the music.... There are some things I don't have to question, I just know. Music is one of them. Even if I lost my hands, I'd find a way to play."

Read
LA Times Article

Read Reviews
of Rich's Music
& Performances