Ronny
Smith
 Off
The Hook
His mom sang in the church choir. His dad was the choir director
and taught music in Baltimore, Maryland’s public school system.
Guitarist, Ronny Smith’s first musical influences were his parents.
“My dad introduced us to all kinds of instruments, the flute,
the clarinet, whatever. Actually, the whole family would try an instrument
or two. However, out of all that, I was the only one that actually
wanted to play. I started fiddling around with instruments, initially
the clarinet, but eventually gravitated toward the guitar.”
At fourteen, Smith seriously began studying the guitar. So, he got
the guitar, and listened to Wes, George, and Joe Pass, among others,
primarily playing by ear. Throughout his junior high school years,
Smith continued to play the guitar and eventually learned to read
music. High school brought other opportunities to
hone his skills in the form of jazz ensembles, both in school and the community.
After graduating high school, Ronny went on to study music at various
colleges and universities. On the advice of a trusted friend and advisor,
Dr. George Ross, at the University of Maryland, Smith became a part
of the military band system playing in Army bands in Europe and the
U.S. Further studies took him from the Army to Elizabeth State University
in NC and finally to the University of Phoenix where he completed
his Masters Degree.
Smith has performed as a sideman for a wide range of artists in a
variety of musical disciplines, including the Marvellettes, Melba
Moore, and drummer Bobby Durham. In 2001, he released his first album,
Long Time Comin, which was well worth the wait. Simmering
keyboards and a smokin’ guitar provided a glimpse of what was
to come and in 2002, he gave us Laid Back; on this
one, Smith plays various compositional styles with unique improvisations
and R&B fusion. One would think it doesn’t get any better
than that, but it does. Got Groove? Of course, you do. And so does
Ronny. Album #3, Got Groove, released in 2005, is
contemporary jazz at its best. It’s rhythmic, and energetic,
and has a whole lot soul.
Over the past seven years, Ronny Smith has definitely learned what
to do and what not to do as it relates to his music. In March 2007,
Simply Stated, Smith’s fourth and latest creation
was released, a bold display of Ronny’s instrumental power and
his compositional skill where seven of the nine tracks are original
compositions. This disc contains a diverse mix of tunes with highlights
that include the banging bossa nova beat of Majorca. He gets
down and funky with Josey, a tune popularized by Steely Dan and his
smoother side is well represented by the beautiful ballad Chillin
After Eight. Smith gives God the glory with his moving interpretation
of Fallin’ In Love With Jesus, authored by Jonathan
Butler with vocal honors going to childhood friend, William Banks.
Simply Stated, you’re gonna love it!
If George Benson or Earl Klugh is your cup of tea, then Ronny is your
man. Don’t get this thing twisted; he is not a George or Earl
wannabe. Smith has developed his voice and his
playing style, just like those other boys. You feelin’ me? He
is a class act, too! |
