It's Like That is the name of the Nick Smith's debut CD. Nick wrote and composed all the music. The CD features a superb supporting cast, Stanley Clarke on acoustic bass, Dennis Chambers on drums, David Sanchez on tenor saxophone, Sekou Bunch on electric bass, Munyungo Jackson on percussion, Herman Riley on tenor saxophone, Ron Stout on trumpet, and vocals by Lynn Fiddmont. Nick produced the CD and Stanley Clarke was co-producer to his protégé.
It's Like That is a mixture of several forms of Jazz, fusion, swing, blues, and of course ballads.
Nick Smith was born in Cleveland, Ohio. He is the ninth of ten children born to Betty and James Smith. From the age of nine to sixteen, Nick and his brothers, known as Transformation, played at various Cleveland locales. After he reached sixteen, Nick formed his own band, Art Effect. He developed a following and played at several Cleveland clubs until he went to Boston to attend Berkelee College of Music, where he studied Jazz Composition.
Originally a student of classical music, Nick chose to be a Jazz Pianist because Jazz is a versatile and challenging art form. Nick's playing style is precise, free flowing and rhythmically versatile. Not only is Nick an outstanding Jazz performer, he can also play soul, funk, country and western, rock, and pop.
Nick has toured with various artists, including Stanley Clarke, Stevie Wonder, Kenny Garrett, Mike Paulo, Kirk Whalum, Eric B'enet, Brandy, Donald Byrd, and Diane Reeves. Not only has Nick toured with Stanley Clarke, he has also worked on several movie projects with Stanley. Some of the movies include Higher Learning, Eddie, Sprung, Funny Valentine, and The Color of Friendship. In 1995, Nick appeared nightly on the Tonight Show featuring Jay Leno.
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