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Q1 Could you introduce yourself? How did you start?
My name is Steve Smith. Started playing instruments from 9 years old, in 1963. I met a great teacher in Boston, Massachusetts, and studying drum there. I thought I was going to be a musician when I was 12 or 13. My passion has been to Jazz since I was very young, and naturally playing Jazz. Currently, I'm touring the USA with Vital Information.
Q2 Who makes the Vital Information music?
We are making music together. We record jam and then, listen to that, and look for the interesting part. It's kind of composing techniques, a lot of ideas are born by jamming.
Q3 Have you been to Japan?
Many many times. The audience is good. Right culture, good food. I like sushi and natto. |
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Q4 You've won the #1 All- Around Drummer five years in a row?
#1 All-Around Drummer means many styles, jazz, punk rock, country, everything. 5 years in a row I won that. So then they said, "Okay, no more. Take your name off the list." In 2001 Modern Drummer Magazine named Steve as one of the Top 25 Drummer of All Time, in 2002 I was voted into the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame and finally in 2003 my Hudson Music DVD "Steve Smith Drumset Technique - History of the U.S. Beat" was voted #1 Educational DVD of 2003.
Q5 Are you interested in drummer education?
Yes. I do more clinic, not like school. A drum clinic. You know what that is? I do teach and doing clinic around the world. And then I occasionally play and teach in the drum camp, where I stay one week long. Something like that, and I enjoy that. |
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Q10 What's coming up for 2007? We are waiting for Japan tour.
This year, mostly touring with Vital Information. We are coming to Japan in month of May. Locations are the Blue Note in Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka. I'm doing other project with other band called "Jazz Legacy" as well. We have a plan of CD & DVD releases for next year. Now I'm touring and recording for next year.
Q11 Do you have a goal as an artist?
Goal? I play jazz with people I like. And I really love jazz. It's really simple. Nothing complicated. Our music make the audience feel joy, and then we enjoy playing jazz. That's the goal.
Q12 Any last words?
I appreciate people that listen to my music and buy my CDs and DVDs. Thank you very much for listening. Please listen to our new CD "Vitalization", and please buy it!! |
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In 70's a drummer name was known to the world through the rock band "journey." Steve Smith has many fans in Japan, After dissolving the "journey", he started to be a jazz drummer that he's loved most since young age. Currently, he is touring with Vital Information, throughout the US. We achieved an interview with Steve Smith on March 23rd at the iridium Jazz Club in New York City. Steve Smith will come to Japan this coming May with the group Steps Ahead, and they will play at the three Japanese Blue Note clubs.
We've achieved to interview with Steve Smith at the Iridium Jazz Club in NYC, one of the world's most prestigious jazz clubs, is now available for Private Events, including Movie Premieres, Record Releases, Corporate Dinners / Presentations, Charity Events, and Tour Groups. Iridium presents New York's Best Live Jazz Nightly and clients can choose to attend a jazz show and include a pre-show cocktail hour with passed hours and/or dinner during a show. Larger Groups have the option of attending private performances or enjoying the club for a private event. Iridium is also available during the day for Photo Shoots and Corporate Presentations with Full Audio/Video and Advanced Telecommunications on site. |
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Q6 (Steve starts showing us his drum sticks and hitting the rubber drum during the interview) You usually do that before the show?
Of course. Everytime.
Q7 (Steve shows us his drum stick performance and technique) Audience want to see this definitely. This back stage is already a show.
No. If I show this, I have to get extra money from the audience, hahahaha.
Q8 I've heard you sometimes play with Bill Evans...
Yes, Bill Evans is a great saxophonist. Sometimes I play with his band, and sometimes he plays with my band. We play together in a lot of bands. |
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Q9 Any plan for New Album with Vital Information?
In this June, we'll release new album, called "Vitalization." Bill Evans also playing some of the tunes with us as a guest. Please visit http://www.vitalinformation.com. All information is on the website. |
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iridium Jazz Club General Info
| Open : |
6:30pm - Midnight on Sun - Thurs. 6:30pm - 1:00am |
| Set : |
8:30pm and 10:30pm on Sun - Thurs. 8:30pm, 10:30pm, and
Midnight on Fri and Sat. |
| Location : |
1650 Broadway (at 51st), New York, NY 10019 USA |
| Tel : |
212.582.2121 |
http://www.iridiumjazzclub.com |
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