Jazz bassoonist Daniel Smith has been nominated again as finalist for the 'Player of the Year' award by the Jazz Journalists Association in their category of 'Instruments Rare in Jazz'. He was previously nominated in the same category in 2008. Winners will be announced at the Jazz Journalists Association's award ceremony on June 14, 2010 at the City Winery in New York City.
For further details and a list of all finalists, please go to
www.myspace.com/danielsmithbassoon
www.facebook.com/danielsmithbassoon
Daniel Smith is also now featured on the Jazz Clubs Worldwide website!
Daniel Smith's latest CD 'Blue Bassoon' went straight in at #22 on the Roots Music Report website recently.
• Daniel Smith's 'Blue Bassoon' has been signed up by Summit Records for a January 2010 world-wide release. Summit Records has major jazz artists such as the Count Basie band, Eddie Daniels and Randy Brecker, on its artists roster. Look for more updates on this important and exciting development in the next weeks.
• Puppets Jazz Bar in Park Slope, Brooklyn will have Daniel Smith's quartet 'Bassoon and Beyond' performing on a regularly monthly basis starting this month. The first appearance will be on July 16th with three sets at 9.00, 10:30 and at midnight. Further information can be found on the Puppets Jazz Bar website.
Oxted & Limpsfield Music Society, Limpsfield, Kent, UK. 19th February, 2009
(Classical/Jazz concert)
Daniel Smith - bassoon
Sean Whittle - piano
Russell Swift - bass
Michael Parkin - drums
“A splendid and challenging evening with a difference.”
“The most recent publicity note promised us a programme of Classical
and Jazz items by a Classical-Jazz-Crossover bassoonist. What were we to expect?
Well, the bassoon came through very clearly as a versatile, mellow and resourceful
instrument with a huge range of sound and capability in the right hands. Daniel
Smith evidently has those hands and a splendid feel for all the music. The
music for the concert, ranging from Jean Baptiste Senaille and Anton Reicha
via Mozart, Gordon Jacob, Jerome Kern, Scott Joplin, Count Basie, Tommy Dorsey,
and Horace Silver, to name a few, was huge. However, Smith and Whittle covered
each style - classical, light music and jazz, with great virtuosity. The audience
was treated to short anecdotes by Smith in his New York tones, helping to
set the scene for his light-hearted but clearly committed approach to music
in all it's forms.
Our introduction to the bassoon as an instrument (all 8 feet of it and it's
low Bb!) led us to see it more as a 'Star' rather than playing the supporting
role from the middle of the back row of an orchestra. The instrument can interpret
the music of a cello, violin, or flute with ease. Not really knowing what
to expect, the audience was treated to an evening of a wide spectrum of music
in the best possible way. Equally, we were introduced to an instrument which
normally takes a 'back seat'.
Daniel Smith really lives and enjoys his music, that was clear. He has a mastery
of a vast range. The support from Sean Whittle, who also understands the demands
of all types of music, was splendid. For the all-jazz second half of the concert,
Russell Swift with his bass and Michael Parkin on drums, helped round out
a rhythm section which was needed for jazz of this quality.
All in all, it proved to be a splendid and challenging evening with a difference.”
- Steven Shaw
Ayr Music Club, 7th March 2009
Daniel Smith with Jonathan Still, piano
“An enthusiastic audience at Ayr Music Club on 7th
March 2009 enjoyed a varied programme of music for Bassoon and Piano by Daniel
Smith and Jonathan Still.
Through a range of items from the baroque to dazzling transcriptions of 19th
Century operatic arias, Mr Smith demonstrated the grandeur of this noble instrument,
from the sonority of its lowest notes up to the ethereal heights, with particularly
impressive and agile fingering in the virtuoso passages.
The sonata by William Hurlestone is worth a special mention, which also allowed
the pianist to shine, and a riotous transcription of the Largo al factotum
rounded off the evening.”
Kitano Jazz Club, NYC, USA. March 18 2009
See 'Daniel Smith: Live at the Kitano' on YouTube.
“An evening of superb musicianship”
“March 18 at the Kitano brought something special
- a quartet headed by Daniel Smith, a classically trained bassoonist who has
revived the instrument in a jazz context, continuing the legacy of Yusef Lateef
and Illinois Jacquet. Along with Mr. Smith came a sterling rhythm section
and guest guitarist, but the audience's attention was clearly on the bassoon.
After a few minutes, the ears accommodated the strange timbre (just as listeners
did when Coltrane started playing the soprano.) The audience did just that,
and showed its appreciation for an evening of superb musicianship.”
- Fred Cohen, The Jazz Record Center, NYC
Recently recorded in NYC with an all-star band, BLUE BASSOON features - along
with Daniel's regular quartet - Bob Dylan's guitarist Larry Campbell as special
guest artist.
Further details as to release date, label, and more to be announced on this
website in the coming weeks.
Read more about BLUE BASSOON >
See Daniel Smith and the band recording 'Blue Bassoon'
(Click on arrow on centre of screen to play)
Daniel Smith was interviewed in the latest editions of 'Jazz Improv' and 'Escutcheon' magazines. Full of revealing insights into Daniel's approach to music and life, you can read the Jazz Improv article here and the Escutcheon interview here.
Pod3.tv, the prestigious award-winning British production company's newest show on the Internet showcases the artistry of Daniel Smith. Consisting of interview with Neil Fairbrother and featuring film clips of classical and jazz performances, Pod3 tv has an audience of four million.
View Podcast on Pod3.tv here
Daniel Smith will be featured soloist in the world premiere of Robert Farnon's jazz-oriented bassoon concerto 'Romancing the Phoenix' on Sept.13, 2009. Daniel will be supported by the renowned Chandos Symphony Orchestra, led by Michael Lloyd, at the 850 seat Forum Theatre in Malvern (UK)
The 25 minute, three movement concerto, will feature enlarged wind sections as well as a jazz rhythm trio of piano, bass and drums on stage alongside the full orchestra. Included within the movements will be improvisational sections featuring Daniel with the jazz trio.
Shortly before his untimely death in 2005, Robert Farnon sought out Daniel Smith with this concerto in mind. Calling it the 'best' piece of music he ever wrote, Farnon wrote the concerto, which required virtuosity in both the classical and jazz idioms, with the unique skills of Daniel Smith in mind.
Warner Chappell has published the score and parts with Robert Farnon's dedication to Daniel Smith on the title page. As the only piece of music written by Robert Farnon which has never been performed in public, this concerto premiere will be a fitting tribute to the memory of one of the 20th century's greatest composer/arrangers.
The bassoon concerto was Robert Farnon's last work, finished shortly before his death in 2005. Canadian-born but British-based, Farnon was a renowned composer and orchestrator of light music, arranging and conducting albums for Frank Sinatra, Sarah Vaughn and George Shearing among others. He wrote the concerto for US bassoonists Daniel Smith, whose dual career as a classical bassoonist and leader of a jazz quartet marked him out as the ideal candidate to premiere the piece that adopts a jazz-influenced style and includes a jazz rhythm section.
The timing of Farnon's death helps to explain the premiere's delay until 2009, as Smith explains: 'When he died unexpectedly early in 2005, it fell on my shoulders to follow up and try to get premieres and performances lined up, which was not an easy task to do starting from scratch.' Fortunately though, there had been enough time for composer and soloist to discuss the piece together, in the final weeks of Farnon's life. 'when I flew to Guernsey, he showed me a work in progress and I offered input and ideas. within a very short time, he had it all finished. I had the opportunity to fly again to Guernsey (this time to meet him in hospital where he was recovering from surgery) and I played the entire piece for him. He gave me a good idea of how the piece was to be performed. within a month or so of this meeting, he died in his sleep, and this was the only opportunity to to find out what he had in mind in regard to his concept of the concerto.'
The bassoon might not be he obvious choice to lead the line in a jazz-inflected concerto - and the piece is a reworking of an earlier version for saxophone. Consequently, the technical challenges include playing high up on the tenor clef, while amplification will be used to help the soloist carry over expanded wind and string sections. Nevertheless, as smith reveals, 'Farnon seemed to be very fond of the bassoon, and always wanted to do this piece once he located a bassoonist adept at in both the classical and jazz idioms.
' 'The use of a rhythm section alongside soloist and orchestra embeds the the duality of musical styles into the structure of the piece. It appears in each movement, but is particularly prominent in the finale: 'The orchestra fades into the background allowing for a jazz quartet setting with several choruses of improvisation, leading back to the full orchestra.'
He hopes to perform subsequent national premieres in countries including Germany, Luxembourg and his native USA. But he is also keen to hear from other UK orchestras interested in programming the piece: 'We hope that this will be the case given that the music appeals to both classical and jazz audiences, as well as being a fitting, ongoing testimony to the musical genius and legacy of Robert Farnon.
- Chris Elcombe, Classical Music
The world premiere of Robert Farnon's Bassoon Concerto
was performed at the Forum Theatre, Malvern on 13th September 2009. Soloist
Daniel Smith was accompanied by the Chandos Symphony Orchestra under Michael
Lloyd.
Daniel Smith was nominated as one of five finalists for the 2008 Jazz Journalists Association Jazz Award in the category of: Player of the Year of Instruments Rare in Jazz.
As the first bassoonist to be so honored in the 12 year history of the Jazz Journalists Association, Daniel Smith was chosen by the 400 voting members for his unique contribution and outstanding accomplishments as a jazz bassoonist. Howard Mandel, president of the JJA, commented at the awards ceremony that finalists selected by the voting members were all chosen on their merits as being outstanding artists in the world of jazz.
With this latest honor following his being recognized as one of the world's premiere classical bassoon soloists, Daniel Smith has now achieved equal recognition in the world of jazz, continuing his pioneering efforts in making the bassoon into a major and important solo instrument.
Daniel Smith's website now has over 35,000 visitors, indicating a growing awareness of Daniel's career and unique artistry. We wish to thank all those fans, agents, record companies and others for their continued interest and support of Daniel's pioneering efforts to promote the bassoon as a major solo instrument. We look forward to the website clocking up 36,000 very soon!
THAME (pronounced “tame”) is a charming old market town in the county of Oxfordshire, close to the Chiltern Hills and just 14 miles east of Oxford, UK. This week, the town was anything but “tame” when jazz bassoonist DANIEL SMITH and THE JONATHAN GEE TRIO appeared at JAZZ EDDIE’S CONCERT JAZZ event in Thame Concert Jazz Club.
Jazz bassoon? Well - why not?! As a bassoon player myself, I have the greatest admiration for Daniel Smith’s expertise and musicianship with this unique sounding beautiful instrument. As Daniel points out to the audience “there is no role model for the jazz bassoonist”. He gave an excellent demonstration of how to bend notes and made the comment that classically trained musicians and those who know nothing about jazz tell him he is sometimes out of tune when playing jazz bassoon. What Daniel actually does is bend notes and inflect like a tenor saxophone player. This is a foreign sound to our ears and heard “live” on stage is wonderful. Jazz HAS to be heard live. Listening to a CD can never ever replace the excitement of that moment when you hear and watch talented folk play right in front of you. That magical moment can never be repeated. However, next best thing has to be owning Daniel’s latest CD “The Swingin’ Bassoon”. Buy it. Listen to it and then go and hear him play live.
The evening just got better and better. Daniel was superbly supported by Jonathan Gee on keyboard, Steve Rose on double bass and Winston Clifford on drums. The Jonathan Gee Trio have been working together for several years performing at jazz venues and festivals throughout the UK & Europe. They have played regularly at Ronnie Scott’s Club in London and supported many great players.
If jazz bassoonist Daniel Smith comes to play in your back yard - go and hear him. You’ve never heard anything like it before!
- Catriona M M Webster
Born in the USA, Daniel Smith, spent his early years listening to the great giants of jazz such as Count Basie in his home town New York City.
Classically trained, he has with this background, successfully crossed over seamlessly to the jazz world with his mastering of a cumbersome and somewhat ungainly instrument 'the bassoon.'
The audience was spellbound with the lovely lyrical and warm tonal quality daniel smith achieved from his deep voiced instrument playing great jazz standards. Indeed, I was so impressed with his new cd, he kindly gave me, that I played three tracks, something I have never done before.
Daniel was ably backed up with pianist Jonathan Gee on keyboards, Steve Rose on double bass and Winston Clifford on drums, who made an altogether delightful evening of jazz at Jazz Eddies great venue at Thame, Oxon, England.
-Dave Self, Radio Jazz Presenter & Producer / tvu . Blast 1386. (On the web) & Stoke Mandeville Hospital Radio.
We are please to announce the prestigious music agency Horst Papeler-Dütsch/Proton Musikmanagement of Berlin will now be representing Daniel Smith in Europe. Future performances to be announced on this site will include festivals, concerts and jazz clubs in several of the following countries: Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Holland, Belgium, Poland, Denmark, Luxembourg and France.
ARTEMEDIOS EUROPE LATIN AMERICA will now be representing Daniel Smith in: Italy, Spain, Portugal and Latin America.
Concert Jazz/Classical Productions UK (Edward M. Fowler, Director) will represent Daniel in the UK.
Details of all these agencies can be found on 'Management Page' of this website.
Daniel Smith's recordings of 'Killer Joe' and 'Scrapple from the Apple' are ranked 5th and 15th respectively in the All About Jazz top 200 downloads of all time.
Regis have just released a selection of Daniel Smith's recordings of Vivaldi's bassoon concertos. Performing with the English Chamber Orchestra under the direction of Philip Ledger, Daniel's virtuosity can be heard on 7 of Vivaldi's most popular concertos for the bassoon.
Airlines which have featured the recordings of Daniel Smith for in-flight listening:
Lufthansa
Quantas
Delta
New Zealand
American
United Arab Emirates
Sri Lankan
TWA
United
Phillipines
Finnair
Air France
South African
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