Jay Smith

Rank #1 Bakersfield, CA Jazz / Experimental / Latin

50% of sales go to the charity Fender Music Foundation.

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About

Members: Jay Smith and various

Sounds Like: The Mars Volta, Herbie Hancock, Jazz, Esperanza Spalding, Hiromi Uehara

Label: Jay Smith Group

Manager: Jay Smith

Bio: Jay Smith has performed with dozens of
groups all over the US and Europe in a wide range of
music from bebop and jazz fusion to latin rock and funk.
He has worked with groups and musicians as
Carl Saunders, Clayton Cameron, Kelulu,
Mento Buru, The Fresno Philharmonic,
David Baron Stevens, A... See Full Bio

More Info

Status

: Got a ton done today. Always a good feeling.

Press

“California-based keyboardist Jay Smith's worldly musical views radiate mightily, as he borrows from the past and reformulates a refreshingly modern vibe, spanning jazz-fusion, blues-rock and more. He also injects panache into the proceedings and garners top-notch support, while fusing a coalition of memorable melodies with a rather ferocious improvisational element. The keyboardist incorporates a vastly entertaining subsystem with penetrating frameworks amid various climactically oriented rhythmical drivers.”

— Glenn Astarita, All About Jazz

“Jay Smith is the future of fusion. ”

— The LA Sound-Japan

“Speaking of jazz, I’d be remiss if I didn’t make mention of keyboardist Jay Smith’s bizarre freeform jazz trip into the unknown with his debut CD, “Unashamed Portrayal.” Previously reviewed by me in an early column as, “raw, loose and at times exhausting,” in hindsight I felt maybe I was a little bit rough on Smith and gave it a few more listens — this time, with jazz ears. As I told Smith myself, my mind hasn’t changed on my original review after four full-length listens; however, I have to commend him on his unflinching commitment to his concepts of jazz, which could be debated until we all turn “kind of blue.” Smith really grew on me this year, and if you haven’t heard this guy play yet, make a point to find him”

— Matt Munoz, Bakotopia.com

“One artist to watch this month is Jay Smith, a former Fresnan now living in Bakersfield, who returns for the Jazz Hop wind-down party at Audie's Olympic. Smith, a keyboardist, will be joined by Patrick Contreras, Kevin Hill and Tyler Cravines starting at 9 p.m.”

— Mike OZ, Fresno Bee

“Smith, 28, appreciates the classics, but he also has an eye to the future. He wants to pick up where more experimental jazz musicians like Miles Davis left off in the 1970s — before the arrival of smooth jazz. “Alegna,” the 15-minute opener of “Unashamed Portrayal,” is certainly ambitious. Smith’s lively keyboard and funk bass lines drive interweaving flourishes from an electric guitar and soulful trumpet, among other instruments that dive in and out of the mix. Other tracks are less sprawling, but a freewheeling mood remains throughout.”

— Jared Whitlock, The Coast News

“If you thought jazz goes into hiding after the CSUB Jazz Festival, you're wrong. Wildly energetic keyboardist Jay Smith, who mentors students weekly at the Bakersfield Jazz Workshop, has assembled a monster group of players for a special show up on the roof. Joining Smith is Grammy nominated guitarist Andre Bush, whose performing credits include stints with jazz heavyweights Nnenna Freelon, Carl Allen, Andy Narell, Liz Story among others. Also appearing will be Bakersfield bassist Jay Jay Hicks, and drummer Jonathan Weinmann.”

— Matt Munoz, Bakersfield Californian

“On "Alegna," the song's nightmarish abstract intro builds before segueing into an in-the- pocket funk romp, courtesy of bassist Jay Hicks and drummer Jonathan Weinmann, who stir up a fury behind the free play of Grammy-nominated guitarist Andre Bush. Saxophonist Chris Nguyen, trombonist Joe Vazquez, and trumpeter Mark Manda follow before Hicks and Weinmann return for the final resolve. Leading the band is Smith on keyboards, pouring on the equally funky layered Stevie Wonder-ish synth groove. It's raw, loose and at times exhausting at 15 minutes, but, according to Smith, just a facet of his overall vision.”

— Matt Munoz, Bakersfield Californian

“I try to incorporate what I've been told by dozens of other musicians greater than myself: learn the theory behind the what makes the music work then play like yourself! It's not enough (especially in this day and age) to know how to play standards well; it really comes down to bringing the music to that next level and making your own impact on the music. ”

— AAJ STAFF, All About Jazz

"The Jay Smith Group brought in a sophisticated foot-tapping crowd to watch Smith’s fingers rushing across the keyboard and his hair flying wildly as he played."

— Jane Hawley, KERN Radio

“Jay Smith Brings His Unique Sound to Upcoming Album And Birthday Bash........ He's known for putting on one heck of a show and after talking to him I can see why. He is a very good self-promoter. He believes in what he does and his success is proof that if you put everything you have into something, it will be great. And maybe great is an understatement. ”

— Missy Wiggins, Kern Radio-The Eye

“I'm really excited to hear the finished album. There are such wonderful solos and excellent compositions.”

— Christine Walsh, KFSR with Christine

“A composer as well as a performer, Smith expects to release a new album in October. Titled "Unashamed Portrayal," it's made up of music he's written in the past as well as some new material. It includes his full band, which is made up of Grammy-nominated guitarist Andre Bush as well as Montoya, Weinmann, Chris Nguyen, Mark Manda, Armando Joe Vazquez, Jay Jay Hicks and Nunzio Urbina.”

— Camille Gavin, Bakersfield Californian

"...raising the profile of the jazz scene in Bakersfield..."

— Jennifer Self, The Bakersfield Californian

“Jay Smith played the hell out of the piano, synthesizer, and keyboard—improvising as the best pianists do on jazz standards and original compositions alike. Fernando Montoya was great on the stand-up bass and bass guitar as well...Jonathan Martinez on the drums was like a speed demon with rhythm”

— Aaron Mauldin, Face Bakersfield

"..these guys are an amazingly musical force to be reckoned with, churning around soulful drums, precise keys and a lush walking bass line....this is not your grandmother’s jazz."

— Sam Jaime, Bakotopia

“There is something very cutting edge about watching young men bang out a classic jazz tune such as “So What.” With these guys playing it came out more like “WHAT? THAT’s WHAT! Yeah!””

— Facebakersfield

All Press

Songs

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The End

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Alegna Trio

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Static-Trio

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Demonstrative-…

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Alegna

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Discography

Too Many Notes (COMING SOON) Released on Oct 14, 2013
Unashamed Portrayal Released on Oct 14, 2011

Videos

Big Poppa-Jay Smith Group/Patrick Contreras

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Shows

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Tue
Jun 25

90.7 FM KFSR
Fresno, CA, US | 3:00pm
90.7 FM KFSR
Fresno, CA, US
Tue Jun 25 3:00pm
- Show Details
- Tickets
Details

Tune in every Tuesday at 3 pm PST to 90.7 KFSR to listen to my radio show. Or you can listen live with the Tune In App or with the link below: http://kfsr.org/listen/live/
Sat
Jun 29

On The Rocks
Bakersfield, CA, US | 5:00pm
On The Rocks
Bakersfield, CA, US
Sat Jun 29 5:00pm
- Show Details
- Tickets
Details

On The Rocks One-Year Anniversary Shindig is coming! Indoor / outdoor event - band line-up TBA! TIME TO CELEBRATE! 661-327-Rock / Info.
Tue
Jul 2

90.7 FM KFSR
Fresno, CA, US | 3:00pm
90.7 FM KFSR
Fresno, CA, US
Tue Jul 02 3:00pm
- Show Details
- Tickets
Details

Tune in every Tuesday at 3 pm PST to 90.7 KFSR to listen to my radio show. Or you can listen live with the Tune In App or with the link below: http://kfsr.org/listen/live/
Fri
Jul 5

Sandrini's
Bakersfield, CA, US | 9:00pm
Sandrini's
Bakersfield, CA, US
Fri Jul 05 9:00pm
- Show Details
- Tickets
Details

Mento Buru & DJ Mikey return for a First Friday exskavanza downstairs at Sandrini's! FUNKY LATIN SKA REGGAE HIP-HOP PUNK JAZZ! IRIE! 9:30pm / $5 / Sandrini's Bar / 661-322-8900 Mark your calendars! Will pack out! 661-322-8900 See you there!
Tue
Jul 9

90.7 FM KFSR
Fresno, CA, US | 3:00pm
90.7 FM KFSR
Fresno, CA, US
Tue Jul 09 3:00pm
- Show Details
- Tickets
Details

Tune in every Tuesday at 3 pm PST to 90.7 KFSR to listen to my radio show. Or you can listen live with the Tune In App or with the link below: http://kfsr.org/listen/live/

All Shows

Store

All Store Items

Unashamed Portrayal
MP3: $9.99 CD: $12.99
Alegna
MP3: $0.99
Alegna Trio
MP3: $0.99

Comments

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MTB Studios Rick W
Jay Enjoyed the emotion and feel on your tracks The End and Misty were favs , Thanks for your support Best of luck in the future Rick W.
Today or Tomorrow en...
Hey thanks for becoming a fan. I checked out your music and love it!
CAROLINE BLUE
Hi Jay-,thanks for the add! How are things? Wishing you a great 2013!
Possessed Tranquility
Thank you for the support! Great music Jay!
Susan Martin
Very cool music here. Love your sound!
Rick Guthier
Un sonido grandioso buen trabajo