At just 17 years old, tenor saxophonist Tommy Smith has emerged as a prominent figure in the British jazz scene and is poised to make his mark internationally. Within a mere five years of playing, he has gained extensive live performance experience, released three albums, and participated in numerous radio shows and European tours. COLIN WRIGHT explores his rapid rise in the jazz world.

In this short time, Tommy Smith has transformed from an unknown schoolboy into an exceptional tenor player. His remarkable talent is not just impressive for his age but stands out among musicians of any age, marking him as one of the most compelling players today, with a promising career ahead.

His journey began early, sparked by his father, a drummer, who introduced him to jazz at a club. This experience ignited his passion, leading him to choose the saxophone for its appealing sound and shape. Prior to that, his only musical experience was playing the recorder in primary school at age 10. After a few lessons, he immersed himself in the sounds of Glenn Miller, Stan Getz, and Coleman Hawkins, meticulously transcribing solos from records. He recalls his first performance at age 12 with a local Dixieland band, playing songs like “I Got Rhythm” and “Too Blue.”

Tommy dedicated up to eight hours daily to practice, starting with “Home On The Range” and progressing through jazz styles from Dixieland to modern jazz. He mastered each style before moving on, believing that proficiency comes from practice, and he has certainly learned rapidly. He attended a jazz school led by Gordon Cruickshank and soon formed his own band, gaining significant attention. By age 14, his quartet won the Best Band Trophy, and he earned the Best Musician Trophy at the 1981 Edinburgh International Jazz Festival, primarily performing bebop and collaborating with top musicians in Edinburgh.

By 1982, Tommy’s reputation had grown, leading to an invitation to perform on Oscar Peterson’s TV show, “Jazz At The Gateway,” where he played “Autumn In New York” alongside renowned musicians. He also joined the European Community Jazz Orchestra, touring Belgium and Ireland, although he favored small group settings for the freedom they allowed in soloing. At this time, he formed his first quintet and recorded his first radio session.

At 16, his trio was selected to perform at the 1983 Leverkusen Jazz Festival in Germany. Following this, he toured Britain with the New York Jazz Quintet, having already recorded three radio programs and two albums featuring original compositions and standards.

In March 1983, Tommy received the Phil Woods Jazz Masters Incentive Award and a scholarship from the Berklee Professional Music Scholarship Fund. After inquiring about courses at Berklee College of Music and submitting a sample tape, he was offered a place. On January 17, 1984, he began his studies there, supported by his community through various fundraising efforts. Describing his first day as daunting, he quickly adapted, participating in daily jam sessions that ran late into the night, with practice rooms available 24/7.

Tommy’s talent soon gained recognition, leading him to form the Scandinavian Quartet, which included talented musicians from Norway and Canada. The group toured Scandinavia and recorded his third album live at the Queen’s Hall in Edinburgh, set for release in December 1984, with plans for another European tour in May 1985.

During a break, he spent time in New York, where he was invited by Jaco Pastorius to play with the Word Of Mouth band at the Blue Note. He also jammed with Rashied Ali and Jaco, showcasing his confidence and ability to perform alongside such esteemed musicians. Last summer, he returned to Edinburgh as a guest tenor player with the Ronnie Scott Quintet during the festival and toured Britain with the New York Jazz group. He re-enrolled at Berklee for an additional four months to continue rehearsing with his quartet.

Despite his numerous accomplishments, Tommy remains humble, expressing that he feels he still has room to grow, especially in New York’s competitive scene. He maintains a healthy lifestyle, avoiding alcohol and drugs, with a focus on honing his skills to communicate more spontaneously through music.

Tommy’s musical idol is John Coltrane, whom he admires for his ability to create brilliance from simple ideas. While he plays modern jazz, he dismisses genre labels, believing that any music can resonate when played well. British audiences will have the opportunity to experience his artistry firsthand during his upcoming UK tour with his quartet this spring.