Jeffery Smith
JEFFERY SMITH
Born and raised in Queens, New York, Jeffery Smith began honing his voice at a very early age, under the influence of his mother, Ramona (a classical singer herself) to whom he dedicated his 1995 debut album (aptly titled) “Ramona”, which was produced, and accompanied by the legendary, Shirley Horn, on the Gitane/Verve label.
At the age of 18, Jeffery moved to Los Angeles, where he lived, and worked as a singer/actor/artist (for more than a decade, and a half). He landed several bit parts in television, and film, while performing in the local clubs. In 1980- 81 he starred in the (bi-coastal) production of “Hollywood & Highland”(It was produced on the east coast by the legendary - acting guru - Lee Strasberg, and on the west coast by - mega film producer - Robert Greenhut) for which Jeffery was awarded the coveted 1981 Drama Critic’s Award, from Drama Logue Magazine.
Jeffery returned to New York in 1986, where he co-starred on stage in the producer (of “Jesus Christ Superstar”, and “Hair”) Tom O’Horgan’s production of “Capitol Cakewalk”, as well as having performed in most of the city’s major clubs through 1991.
In the fall of 1991, what originally began as a Paris vacation for Jeffery, ended up being a 7-year stay. After one month he fell in love with ‘the city of lights’, and decided to stay a while. Within 7 months, he met the renowned French pianist, composer, & bandleader, Claude Bolling, and was immediately signed on as the voice of his big band.
In the six years that followed, Jeffery had recorded 4 albums, and performed 2 world tours with Claude Bolling’s Big Band (performing for royalty, and dignitary throughout Europe, North & South America and Asia). He performed numerous jingles, andvoice,overs for French commercials (e.g. Carte Noir Coffee, and Hyundai).
In the summer of 1995, Jeffery was signed to (and fulfilled) a 3-album contract with Universal/Verve (all of which, received international critical acclaim). He starred in (and narrated the recording of) Duke Ellington’s “A Drum is a Woman” (CD distributed worldwide through its MILAN Label) at Paris’ Palias Chaillot, Nationale Theatre du France, and co-starred alongside Dee Dee Bridgewater in “Cabaret”, and in her “Peace & Love” music video, as well as 3 (Sold Out) concerts at the (world renowned) “Paris Olympia”, all of which has established Jeffery Smith as one on of the most revered male jazz vocalists, in the industry today.
JEFFERY’s US debut came in 1998 with his self-produced (2nd Verve) recording, entitled, “A little Sweeter”, that featured the brilliance, of the piano genius, Kenny Barron and his trio (featuring: Ray Drummond on bass, and Ben Riley on drums) which earned the highest critical acclaim; Time magazine hailed it as “The most vital albums of the year”.
In 1999 Jeffery followed the success, with his (also self-produced) 3rd recording entitled “Down Here Below”, that featured jazz diva, Dianne Reeves, and violin virtuoso, Regina Carter, and received equally high acclaim from such magazines as, Jazz Times, Jazziz, Down Beat, and Vanity Fair….
In 2001, Jeffery performed 2 concerts (in homage to Louis Armstrong) at New York’s Lincoln Center, with Wynton Marsalis, and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra (as well as in numerous festivals throughout U.S., and Canada).
He recorded 2 songs for a compilation album of Duke Ellington’s (never before recorded) music that also features, Freddie Cole, Joe Lovano, Grover Washington Jr., Joe Beck, Joe Locke, for Todd Barkan’s 32nd Street Label.
He also co-produced (and performed) the single, “Listen Love” for the Japanese Group “UFO”, which is currently a big success in Japan.
This year marks another step in a brilliant career for this amazing singer who has made an indelible mark on the international jazz scene, with his inimitable voice.
Currently (in addition to his continuing to perform internationally) Jeffery Smith heads his own Non-Profit, Production Company called, “Tri-Loxodonta, Inc., which produces his Annual, Smitty’s Quarry Jazz Festival, at Opus 40, in Saugerties, NY - where Jeffery will be joined by other jazz luminaries as: Regina Carter, Ernie Watts, Pete Levin, Winard Harper, and Chanda Rule.
Jeffery Smith Discography
Instrument | Vocals
Popularity Rank: 49,977
As a LeaderJeffery Smith
Produced by: Jeffery Smith
Down Here Below
Verve
1999
8Tracks: Track;1. “Afro Blue 2. “Throw It Away” 3. “Ask Me Now” 4.”People Make The World Go Round”, 5.”Like A Lover”, 6.”Love on a Two-Way Street” 7. “Cinnamon & Clove” 8.”Down Here Below”
Personnel: Dianne Reeves: Guest Vocalist, Assitan Mamma Keita: Guest Vocalist, Regina Carter: Violin, James Weidman: Piano, James Hurt: Piano/Keyboard, Rodney Kendrick: Piano, John Peters: Hammond B-3, Curtis Lundy: Bass, Dion Parson: Drums, Ghermo Franco: Percussion, Charles Davis: Tenor Sax, Talib Kibwe: Alto Sax/Flute, Terrell Stafford: Trumpet/Flugalhorn.
As a Leader Jeffery Smith
Produced by: Jeffery Smith
A Little Sweeter Featuring: The Kenny Barron Trio
Record Label Universal Verve
1998
10Tracks: Track; 1. “Eleanor Rigby”, 2.”Lush Life, 3. “Misty” 4. “Love For Sale”, 5. “The Sentimental Touch/Bal De Vienne”,6. “Polka Dots And Moonbeams” 7. “Moanin'”, 8. “Dindi” 9. “Fairweather”, 10. “Come Sunday”.
Personnel: Kenny Barron: Piano, Ray Drummond: Bass, Ben Riley: Drums, Terrell Stafford: Trumpet/Flugelhorn, Justin Robinson: Alto Saxophone.
As a LeaderJeffery Smith
Produced by: Shirley Horn
Ramona featuring: The Shirley Horn Trio
Gitane/Verve
1995
11 Tracks: Track: 1.”Angel Eyes”, 2. “Nature Boy”, 3.”What are you doing the Rest of your Life”, 4.”When The Night Turns into Day”, 5. “Do Nothing Till you Hear from Me”, 6. “Stormy Monday Blues”, 7.”You've Changed”, 8. “The Shadow of Your Smile”, 9.”Just One of Those Things”, 10.”When I Fall in Love”, 11.”Ramona”.
Personnel: Shirley Horn: Piano, Charles Able: Bass, Steve Williams: Drums.
As A Side Musician Featured Artist
“V”
Artist Name UFO (United Future Organizations)
Record Label AVEX Corp
Year Released 2002
1 Track: Track: #9. “Listen Love”
Personnel:Jeffery Smith: Lead Vocals.
As A Side Musician Featured Artist
Secret EllingtonProduced by: Todd Barkan
Artist Name Varied
Record Label 32nd Street
Year Released 2000
14 Tracks: Track; 7. “Full of Shadows”, 14. “My Home Lies Quiet”.
Personnel: Jeffery Smith: Lead Vocals, Joe Locke: Vibes, Joe Beck: Guitar, Lou Morini: Flute As A Side MusicianFeatured Vocalist
The Victory ConcertProduced by: Jerome Savary, and Claude Bolling
Claude Bolling Big Band
Milan
1992
17 Tracks: 15. “Route 66”, 16.”Blues in the Night”.
Personnel: The Claude Bolling Big Band
As a Leader Soundtrack
A Drum is a Woman
Milan
1997
14 Tracks: All.
Personnel: Claude Bolling Big Band
As A Side Musician Featured Vocalist
Cinema Dreams Produced by: Claude Bolling
Claude Bolling
Milan
1996
15 Tracks: 8.”Raindrops Keep Falling on my Head” 9.”Old Devil Moon”.
Personnel: Claude Bolling Big Band.
1996 – “Les Nuit du les Artist” (Verve compilation) 1996 - “Claude Bolling’s Victory Tour” (Milan) 1997 - “Candle Light Dreams - Songs by His Majesty The King of Thailand, as performed by: The Claude Bolling Orchestra (Milan) 2001 – “Jazz For Loneliness” (Korean Verve Compilation) Featuring: Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, Shirley Horn, 2002 – “Autumn Leaves - The Best Male Vocals” – (Australian Verve Compilation) Featuring: Johnny Hartman, Mel Torme, Billy Eckstine, Louis Armstrong, & Arthur Prysock 2002 – “Master Men Vocals” – (Verve, Portugal Compilation), Featuring: Chet Baker, Billy Eckstine, Sammy Davis Jr., Jobim/Sting, & Joe Williams 2003 – “The Male Jazz Vocal Masters” – (Spanish Verve Compilation), Featuring: Johnny Hartman, Billy Eckstine, Bobby Short, Arthur Prysock, Joe Williams, Sting, and Mel Torme.
GET READY FOLKS! 'Cause, JEFFERY SMITH, is going to Release, The "Long Awaited",and Long Overdue recording of his latest work!" - It is Exciting, and Everything any Jeffery Smith Fan, can Antisipate, or hope for!
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