Kevin Smith

Biography

Kevin Smith is a highly respected, Grammy Award-winning American jazz bassist celebrated for his exceptional technique, deep sense of swing, and masterful versatility across both orchestral and contemporary styles. Born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, Smith developed his musical foundation through the rich traditions of the city’s historic Black Baptist churches. Immersed in gospel, hymnody, country, and blues from an early age, he quickly demonstrated exceptional talents in vocal performance, orchestral bass, and jazz, eventually earning a spot in the prestigious Georgia Governor's Honors Program.

Smith's career reached an early high-profile milestone during his senior year of high school, when he was invited to perform on Outkast's monumental, Grammy-winning double album Speakerboxxx/The Love Below. He formalized his training at Florida State University’s School of Music, earning a Bachelor of Music in Double Bass Performance on a full scholarship. While there, he strictly honed his classical and baroque contrabass repertoire under Melanie Punter—holding chairs in the Tallahassee Symphony and several regional opera orchestras—while concurrently studying jazz under acclaimed bassist Rodney Jordan.

As a frontline anchor of the modern jazz scene, Smith is highly sought after for his sharp musical instincts and immaculate timekeeping. He splits his busy performing schedule between the cultural hubs of Atlanta and New York City, frequently collaborating with premier jazz artists. Over his career, he has shared the stage and recorded alongside jazz luminaries such as Marcus Printup, Curtis Fuller, Russell Malone, Wycliffe Gordon, Fred Wesley, Donald Harrison, and Vincent Gardner. He is also a regular and beloved collaborator within the contemporary Atlanta jazz community, frequently performing in highly praised regional ensembles alongside musicians like saxophonist Will Scruggs and pianist Joe Alterman.

Beyond his extensive performance career, Smith is deeply dedicated to music education and community leadership. He serves as a prominent teaching artist for the Atlanta Music Project, an organization dedicated to providing intensive, high-quality music education to youth in underserved neighborhoods. Whether anchoring a hard-swinging jazz trio in an intimate club or mentoring the next generation of string players, Smith remains a vital force in the preservation and progression of the jazz tradition.