Staff
Rob Smith
Assistant Professor of Jazz Studies
Rob Smith, assistant professor of jazz studies at Central Michigan University, graduated from Central Michigan University in 1986. He went on to earn a master of music in jazz studies degree from the University of North Texas (1989), where he performed in the world-renowned One O’Clock Lab Band, and can be heard on recordings from 1987-1989. Most recently, Smith held a faculty position at The University of North Carolina-Greensboro, the Miles Davis Jazz Studies Program (2004-05). He also taught at St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia, Canada (1991-93, 97), Michigan State University (1994-97), Mott Community College (1995-97), Interlochen Center for the Arts (2000), and Central Michigan University (2000-04). Smith performs regularly on trumpet and saxophones throughout the United States, Canada and Europe with several notable jazz groups, including: The Woody Herman Jazz Orchestra, The Kirk MacDonald Quintet, The Steve Haines Quintet, The Jeff Haas Trio & Friends featuring Marcus Belgrave and Rob Smith. Smith recently toured with Terri Lyne Carrington, Nancy Wilson and Dianne Reeves in a tribute to Billie Holiday, performing on trumpet and tenor saxophone. This tour included performances at USC, UCLA, Penn State University, Byham Theater-Pittsburgh, Chicago Symphony Hall, Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center (2005). Smith also recently performed and recorded with the Ron DeSalvio Group, featuring legendary jazz drummer Jimmy Cobb. He can be heard on several recordings including: International Trumpet Guild-Carmine Caruso International Trumpet Solo Competition retrospective (1993-2003)-1993 performance (2006); Step By Step –The Terry Lower Quintet (2005); Itchin to Grove –Jim Cooper Quintet (2004); Beginner’s Mind –Steve Haines Quintet (Artist House-2002); HaGesher Cahi –The Bridge Lives – Jeff Haas Trio & Friends (2001), -Live at the Montreaux-Detroit Jazz Festival, The Larry Nozero (2000).-Live in London, The Woody Herman Orchestra-(1999), -New Beginnings, The Kirk MacDonald Septet (1998), Sherman Mitchell & Friends & Sherm, In n’Out; Now and Again, Maritime Jazz Orchestra (1998), various recordings by the group, Mind’s Eye.
Smith has performed in concert with the following artists: Rufus Reid, Randy Brecker, David Liebman, Bob Berg, Adam Nussbaum, Frank Tiberi, Buddy DeFranco, Marcus Belgrave, Geore Benson, Bobby Shew, Phil Markowitz, Phil Woods, Rodney Whitaker, Mulgrew Miller, Kareem Riggins, Jon Faddis, Frank Foster, Jerry Fuller, Ira Sullivan, Neil Swainson, Lorne Lofsky, Kenny Wheeler, and John Taylor.
Contact Information
Email: smith2rm@cmich.edu
Phone: (989) 774-1269
Room: MU 269
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