Teen Jazz October 2005 Artist Influence
Greg Smith - Saxophonist
By Shannon Kennedy
Name: Greg Smith Profession: Saxophonist Years Playing: since the
age of 8 College/Major/Degree: attended North Texas University
Location: Los Angeles,
CA
I recently had the privilege
of interviewing Greg Smith -
it was very spur of the
moment (he came in where
I work) and he was very
courteous in granting me the interview. Greg Smith is a very talented
baritone saxophone player who currently tours with The Eagles as their
saxophonist and horn section leader. I was very pleased that he took the
time to contribute to Teen Jazz.
Greg Smith began playing the saxophone at the age of eight. He attended
college at North Texas University where he studied with Time Bell and Jim
Riggs. His playing is strongly influenced by musicians such as Coltrane, Miles
Davis, Gerry Mulligan, Serge Chaloff, Buddy Rich and numerous others.
Greg Smith just completed an album entitled "Smile & Nod". He told Teen
Jazz that he is making more money than he ever has at any other point in
his career while touring with The Eagles and feels that his career has gone
exactly how it was supposed to go. He does wish, however, to write more
and improve his image marketing skills. He also looks forward to teaching
master classes at schools, record more, and to continue touring.
Some of the artists and groups that Greg Smith has performed with include
Aaron Neville, Pink, Stan Kenton, Bruce Willis, The Eagles, Supersax, Buddy
Rich, and Dwight Yocum. He feels that his coolest gig is his current one with
the Eagles while his lamest one he had was with Johnny Catron that paid
only $23 a week after taxes. Greg Smith's most embarassing gig was when
he was on the road for the first time. He was playing with Stan Kenton;
Albert Hall had written a feature for him. When he went to play the solo, he
squeaked in front of thousands of people.
Greg Smith's first horn was a Beuscher Soprano Saxophone that he inherited
from an uncle. Hobbies that he enjoys aside from music include golf and
"annoying people". Greg Smith has endorsements with SaxRax and has had
an endorsement with Rico since 1983.
The advice Greg Smith offers to the young musicians is "Enjoy Your Life".
