Biography
Tom Smith is an award-winning saxophonist, composer, and arranger, firmly established within London’s vibrant jazz scene. A graduate of the Royal Academy of Music and a two-time finalist in the BBC Young Jazz Musician of the Year competition (2014, 2016), Smith is recognised for his innovative projects, dynamic compositions, and commitment to pushing the boundaries of jazz.
In February 2025, Smith will release his highly anticipated new album, A Year in the Life (Fey Moose Records). This debut recording from the Tom Smith Big Band is a celebration of London’s thriving jazz community, featuring a stellar lineup of established and emerging talent. Recorded at Livingston Studios and released on Fey Moose Records in association with ECN Music, the album showcases Smith’s masterful compositions and arrangements, inspired by artists such as Maria Schneider, Pat Metheny, Carla Bley, Bill Frisell, and Guy Barker.
The Year in the Life brims with storytelling, each track offering a distinct perspective on the joy of making music in London. Highlights include the grooving title track, the high-energy funk of “We’re Being Watched,” the introspective beauty of “Breathe,” and the brass-laden splendour of “Atlas.” The album’s big band features some of the UK’s finest musicians, including Graeme Blevins, Alex Garnett, Freddie Gavita, and Luke Tomlinson, to name a few. Smith’s ability to blend tradition with contemporary innovation brings a fresh and engaging approach to the big band genre.
Beyond his big band work, Smith leads a range of creative projects. His trio album, Gecko (2020, Basho Records), and his collaboration with pianist Daniel Bulatkin on Drifter Days (2022) have both received critical acclaim. He is also the founder of Queertet, a trailblazing LGBTQI+ jazz initiative, and his compositions and arrangements have been performed by ensembles such as the London Gay Big Band and the National Youth Jazz Orchestra (NYJO).
Smith’s music reflects the diversity and vitality of London, embodying a city where music thrives around every corner. “This band has all of my favourite people in it, and I think it sounds like London – music everywhere and something new around every street corner,” he says.
With A Year in the Life, Tom Smith invites audiences to step into his world of dynamic compositions and vibrant musical storytelling, cementing his position as one of the UK’s most exciting jazz artists today.
