Reviews
MY KIND OF BLUES
a jazz album by Lee Smith, available on CD Baby and iTunes.
Review by Victor L. Schermer on All About Jazz.
Review by Marty Sheller.
He produced several of Mongo Santamaria’s albums and played trumpet in Mongo’s band. Click here to read Marty Sheller’s review, Christian McBride’s line notes, and more on the Vectordisc website.
SITTIN’ ON A SECRET
A jazz album by Lee Smith, available on CD Baby and iTunes.
VIDEO: Lee Smith at Kennett Flash, October, 2012
Review in City Paper by Shaun Brady, October, 2012.
Review in Jazz Times by Bruce Klauber, September, 2012.
Review by Christian McBride, July, 2012.
When I saw that my father’s debut solo disc was called “Sittin’ On A Secret”, my inquisitive Gemini nature made me wonder what subliminal “secret” he was referring to. Was it his bass playing? No, that’s no secret. Was it his writing? Perhaps, but certainly not a surprise. Was it his arranging? Maybe a secret, but no surprise.
It’s certainly no secret that everyone who knows know him thoroughly respects his musicianship. From his R&B days playing electric bass with The Delfonics and Billy Paul, to his days touring the world with the late, great Cuban conguero, Mongo Santamaria, then later switching to acoustic bass and playing with Odean Pope, Trudy Pitts, Bootsie Barnes and many other jazz giants, his great musicianship has never been a secret to be sat on.
Listening to these original compositions, arrangements and wonderful bass work only confirms what my father’s bass playing have made people suspect for years – his talent reaches far beyond the instrument. His arranging skills conjure up a combination of Chico O’Farrill, Marty Sheller, Deodato and a big chunk of Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers. His bass sound is a pure, woody recipe of Paul Chambers and Jimmy Garrison. But all of these influences are filtered through a singular, personal lens.
My dad is his own man, for sure. My chest swells with pride and happiness as I write words about my father’s first recording as a leader. Yes, I know that’s a sentiment usually reserved for parents, but in this case, I’m sure you’ll understand. Listening to my father flourish in such amazing musical settings, I’m happy to say that only I can react with the words, “Yep, that’s my dad!” If indeed there is a secret that my father is sitting on, it could only be that there’s a lot more wonderful music from where this came from. I look forward to the next release… and the next one after that. Go ahead, dad. Congratulations!
Your son and fan,
—Christian McBride
Photos
Videos
Lee Smith at the Kennett Square Flash, September, 2012
Bassist Lee Smith performs the title track to his album “Sittin’ on a Secret” at the Jazz Bridge Kennett Square neighborhood concert series with Greg Riley (s), Tim Thompson (t) Anthony Wonsey (p) and Justin Faulkner (d).
The Credits
Anthony Wonsey – Piano
Justin Faulkner – Drums
Tim Warfield – Tenor & Soprano Saxophones
Terell Stafford – Trumpet & Flugelhorn
Marc Adler – Flute
Duane Eubanks – Trumpet (Morning Glory)
Bill Meeks – Piano (Aquarian Reprieve)
Denise King – Vocals (Super Star)
Recorded, mixed & mastered at The Music Center, Exton, PA. – Glenn Ferracone, Engineer
Original compositions published by LEENET Music Publishing
Executive Producer: Lynette Connor
Producer: Lee Smith
Co-producer: Barbara Montgomery
Album Design: Danny N. Schweers
Vectordisc Records: www.Vectordisc.com
The Album
Visit the CD Baby website to listen to track samples and download tunes.
Lee Smith comments:
I would like to thank all of the musicians who participated in this project for their willingness and friendship. They brought new life to my tunes, some written over 20 years ago. Their individual talent and spirit made overseeing this project comfortable for me. Thank you, Barbara Montgomery for your experience and input. Thanks Glenn Ferracone for your patience (you had to be there) and to Richard Burton for his interest and investment in this project. A special thanks to my son Chris for his kind words and his reaffirmation of my capabilities. And most of all, to the light of my life, my better half, Lynette Connor for her unconditional love & encouragement making me realize that not only “should” the project be done, but it “needed” to be done. God is good,
—Lee Smith