A born and bred New Yorker, John Smith’s musical journey began with the award-winning
jazz big band at Martin Van Buren H.S., Queens, NY. From there he went on to study
performance and education at Five Towns College and Long Island Univ.(Brooklyn Center)
on a full scholarship. He has studied with Chuck Loeb, Ted Dunbar, Kevin Eubanks, Doc
Powell, Rick Stone, Rodney Jones [Tune World] and Bob Mintzer.
John is a much sought after guitarist, producer, composer and arranger that has worked in
the music industry for over 20 years. He has performed and worked with many gospel and
R&B artists including: Heavy D., Dr. Jonathan Dubose Jr., Christian Jazz Saxophonist Mel
Holder, Inger Reid, BeBe and CeCe Winans, Gary Anglin, CCC Music Group, Youthful
Praise, Chrisette Michele, Vanesa Bell Armstrong and Baby Face, to name a few.