Biography
Saxophonist and composer Walter Smith III entered a new era of his band leading career with his remarkable 2023 Blue Note debut return to casual. Dedicated to collaborative work with some of the music’s most influential voices — including Ambrose Akinmusire, Terence Blanchard, Gerald Clayton, Eric Harland, Jason Moran, Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah, Herbie Hancock, Maria Schneider, Terri Lyne Carrington, and Dee Dee Bridgewater — Smith has crafted a distinct style, personal vocabulary and compositional approach that serves the individuality of his fellow artists. For the past several years, he has been co-leading the acclaimed In Common project with guitarist Matt Stevens, exploring and refining different conceptual approaches to writing. In releasing return to casual, on which he also served as producer, Smith unveiled the many ways his creative expression has expanded, and the influence these collaborative environments have had on his vision as a leader. For his 2024 sophomore Blue Note release, three of us are from Houston and Reuben is not, Smith pays homage to his hometown of Houston, Texas, with his fellow Houston natives Moran and Eric Harland plus bassist Reuben Rogers. Together they enliven compelling Smith originals and an imaginative rendering of a Sam Rivers composition – all of which speaks to Smith’s ascending status as one of modern jazz’s most engaging talents of his generation.
Releases
three of us are from Houston and Reuben is not - Walter Smith III
return to casual - Walter Smith III
Videos
Walter Smith III “Point of Many Returns” (Live at the Village Vanguard)
Walter Smith III “First Look” With Don Was
Walter Smith III “REVIVE”
Walter Smith III “Shine”
Walter Smith III “First Look” With Don Was
Walter Smith III “River Styx”
SPOTLIGHT
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Walter Smith III “three of us are from Houston and Reuben is not”
By John Murph Saxophonist Walter Smith III pays homage to his hometown of Houston, Texas on his sophomore Blue Note album, three of us are from Houston and Reuben is not. The album’s wry title signifies the lineup, which includes fellow Houston natives – pianist Jason Moran and drummer Eric Harland – while bassist Reuben Rogers, who hails from the Virgin Islands, rounds out the quartet.... read more
WALTER SMITH III’S “RETURN TO CASUAL”
Saxophonist and composer Walter Smith III enters a new era of his band leading career with his remarkable Blue Note debut return to casual, the long-anticipated follow-up to his self-released 2014 recording still casual. Nine original works (and one new arrangement) all composed within weeks of each other layer, displace, dismantle and reassemble among the Houston native’s fellow artists.... read more
News
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WALTER SMITH III SHARES NEW SINGLE “OFFICE PARTY MUSIC”
Saxophonist Walter Smith III has shared “Office Party Music,” the third single from his forthcoming sophomore Blue Note album, three of us are from Houston and Reuben is not, which will be released on September 27. An homage to his hometown of Houston, Texas, the new album’s wry title signifies the lineup which... read more
WALTER SMITH III SHARES NEW SINGLE “MISANTHROPE’S HYMN” FEATURING JASON MORAN, ERIC HARLAND & REUBEN ROGERS
Saxophonist Walter Smith III has shared “Misanthrope’s Hymn,” the second single from his forthcoming sophomore Blue Note album, three of us are from Houston and Reuben is not, which will be released on September 27. An homage to his hometown of Houston, Texas, the new album’s wry title signifies the lineup... read more
WALTER SMITH III ANNOUNCES NEW ALBUM “three of us are from Houston and Reuben is not”
Saxophonist Walter Smith III pays homage to his hometown of Houston, Texas on his sophomore Blue Note album, three of us are from Houston and Reuben is not, which is set for release on September 27 and marks the follow-up to Smith’s acclaimed 2023 label debut return to casual. The new album’s wry title signifies... read more
WALTER SMITH III RELEASES NEW SINGLE “RIVER STYX” FROM FORTHCOMING BLUE NOTE DEBUT “RETURN TO CASUAL”
Walter Smith III has released “River Styx,” the 3rd single to be revealed from the saxophonist’s forthcoming Blue Note debut return to casual out April 7. “River Styx” conjures an undercurrent of dynamic motion that swells and falls throughout the striking piece featuring trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire,... read more
SAXOPHONIST WALTER SMITH III COVERS KATE BUSH’S “MOTHER STANDS FOR COMFORT”
Walter Smith III has released his stunning new cover of Kate Bush’s “Mother Stands for Comfort,” the latest single from the saxophonist’s forthcoming Blue Note debut return to casual out April 7. The album features pianist Taylor Eigsti, guitarist Matt Stevens, bassist Harish Raghavan, and drummer Kendrick... read more
WALTER SMITH III TO RELEASE BLUE NOTE DEBUT “RETURN TO CASUAL” ON APRIL 7
Saxophonist and composer Walter Smith III has signed with Blue Note Records and enters a new era of his band leading career with the April 7 release of his remarkable label debut return to casual, the long-anticipated follow-up to his self-released 2014 recording still casual. Reprising their bandmate roles, pianist... read more
