Derek Smith - Piano

Derek Smith began his career in his native England, playing his first job for pay when he was

fourteen. Someone rolled out a piano into the street, and he played for VE Day celebations.

Over his parents' protestations, he joined John Dankworth's band, when Cleo Laine was the

female vocalist. Smith also began performing and recording for the BBC (British Broadcasting

Corporation), but soon realized the place for him, professionally, was America.

Smith came to the United States with no job awaiting him. Fourteen days after arriving in New

York, he recorded with the Modern Jazz Quartet. One of his first engagements was working with

his trio opposite Mel Torme and Ella Fitzgerald at Basin Street East in New York. He joined

Benny Goodman's band in 1961 and was pianist on "Benny Goodman -- The Swing Era."

Derek Smith met Doc Severinson when both were contacted to play a society gig. Later, when

Severinson was named leader of the NBC Orchestra, The "Tonight Show" Band, he called Smith

to be the pianist. Smith played with the band for seven years while continuing to record daily in

New York studios and work with Benny Goodman. When the "Tonight Show" moved to the

West Coast, Smith opted to stay in New York and continue his career as a 'first call' studio

musician.

Smith led his own band on NBC's "Musicial Chairs" game show after he left the "Tonight Show."

After "Musical Chairs" was cancelled, he began concentrating on jazz concert performances

while continuing to record. Smith's trio album, "Love for Sale," was nominated for a Grammy

Award in 1989. Smith has 20 albums as leader to his credit in the United States and Japan.

Described by critics as "fiery," "passionate," and having "an evil left hand," he is a frequent

headliner at jazz festivals around the world.

Probably the world's most recorded commercial/jazz pianist, Smith may be heard on recordings

ranging from the popular Burt Bacharach/Dionne Warwick and Steve Lawrence/Eydie Gorme

tracks, recorded in the 1960s, to jazz albums with Dizzy Gillespie, Buddy deFranco, Louis

Bellson, Milt Hinton, and Clark Terry. The material Smith has recorded also includes movie

soundtracks, among them Woody Allen's "Hannah and Her Sisters" and"Crimes and

Misdemeanors," as well as Martin Scorsese's "The Age of Innocence."

The roster of notables with whom Derek Smith has performed includes a "Who's Who" of show

business, from Frank Sinatra to Luciano Pavarotte, from Placido Domingo to Robert Palmer.

Lyricist Sammy Cahn, a good friend until his death, comedian Steve Allen, and many other

performers have frequently called upon his accompanying and conducting skills.