BIOGRAPHY

 

Saxophonist Derek R. Smith is a versatile and dynamic performer/educator based in the beautiful Puget Sound region. At home in a wide range of musical styles, Derek’s musical skills have found him in the recording studios and on stage with artists and organizations such as: Gloria Estefan, Chick Corea, Bobby McFerrin, George Benson, Arturo Sandoval, Maria Schneider, Dave Liebman, Vince Mendoza, Terence Blanchard, Bruce Hornsby, Opera Naples, Michael Feinstein, Take 6, Kirk Whalum, Dave Gruisin, New World Symphony, and Miami City Ballet.

 

Smith is also a trained multiple woodwind specialist performing on flutes, clarinets, and double reeds. In addition to regularly appearing at The 5th Avenue, Paramount, and Village theaters, Dr. Smith serves as the bassoonist and auxiliary woodwind performer for Compass Winds chamber ensemble and second bassoonist for the Bellevue Symphony.

 

Derek currently maintains an active private studio in the Seattle area in addition to serving as a guest clinician and adjudicator in Western Washington. His formal studies include a Doctor of Musical Arts in multiple woodwind performance and Master of Music in Jazz Pedagogy from the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami and a Bachelor of Music in Saxophone and Jazz Performance from California State University-Fresno.