Tim Smith

Tim Smith is a lecturer in Contemporary and Jazz Bass at the FROST SCHOOL OF MUSIC. He received his bachelor’s degree in Studio Music and Jazz from the University of Miami in 1979 and was awarded his Master’s Degree in Jazz Performance from the FROST SCHOOL OF MUSIC in 2015.

Mr. Smith got his start in show business when he appeared on his family’s syndicated television variety show, “The Arthur Smith Show.” By the time he was 16, he had already contributed to his first successful album, 200 Years of America in Song. Following his graduation from UM, Mr. Smith moved to Nashville at the request of legendary producer and Monument Records founder, Fred Foster. Within a few months, he was contributing to top hits by Tom Jones, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, and Kris Kristofferson, playing bass for country icon Mel Tillis and serving as a musical director for Vince Gill. After stints in Los Angeles and Paris, Mr. Smith returned to Nashville in 1996 and began performing with saxophone legend Boots Randolph. He produced several of Randolph’s CDs, including Nashville Standard Time, Songs from the Spirit, A Christmas Holiday, and his final project, A Whole New Ballgame.

Mr. Smith currently leads the jazz/blues band Mr. Groove with his brother, guitarist Roddy Smith. The group has recorded several acclaimed albums, including Roots, Blues, and Jazz with Grammy nominated singer Bonnie Bramlett on the New York-based ZOHO label. Their latest project, an album of classic soul music entitled Detroit Memphis Experience, is receiving significant international airplay.

Mr. Smith is also the producer of the big band series Music Minus One/Pocket Songs, a series of recordings that recreate the classic backing tracks heard on records by Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Ella Fitzgerald, Michael Buble, and others. His other credits include work with jazz saxophonist Bill Evans, former Kansas lead singer John Elefante, and Country Music Hall of Fame member Charlie McCoy, among many others.