Daily Inspiration: Meet Eddie Smith

Today we’d like to introduce you to Eddie Smith.

Hi Eddie, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Thank you…
I grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. When I was an adolescent the city was one of the epicenters of the progressive jazz movement. I was fascinated with the Pittsburgh pianists, Erroll Garner, Ahmed Jamal, Marylou Williams, Earl Hines, Billy Strayhorn and others. I avidly listened to their lush chord voicings and unique interpretations of the American song book. No one in the house in which I grew up had any particular interest in music, but fortunately for me there was a spinet piano in the living room. When no one was home or paying attention I would spend the time for homework playing the piano instead, trying to replicate the jazz music I was listening to. I can still remember the first time I heard the piano stylings of Thelonious Monk. I was mystified. I spent hours and hours at the little spinet trying to play his tune “Blue Monk”which seemed simple and accessible but was anything but that. When I was a teenager, many nights after leaving my family a note that I was studying at the library, I instead gravitated to the bars where my piano hero’s were playing. I got good at convincing the doormen/bouncers that I was five or six years older than my actual age. My parents always hoped I would become a doctor or a lawyer. Why not, since I spent so much time studying at the library.
I lived briefly in New York City and Chicago before settling in Los Angeles. Over the years, I have been fortunate to cross paths with many prominent and some famous jazz pianists.. I am self taught. I lacked the patience for formal piano lessons, but wasn’t shy about asking these iconic players for advice, hints or tricks to improve my playing. They were exceedingly gracious in giving me guidance. Through them I learned about the displacement of phrases as well as new and interesting ways to voice and substitute chords, With a tidbit of advice from them I could spend weeks modifying my approach to melody and harmony..
Over the years I have played in restaurants and bars, for private functions and in public spaces all over Los Angeles. I enjoy playing in crowded lobbies, best of all. They provide access to larger crowds of people insuring that some of them will relate to or have a personal connection to the music I’m playing..People will stop by the piano in between songs or sets to share their life experiences with me. I like that.
For the past 12 years I have been playing in the lobbies of large metropolitan hospitals in connection with their Music for Healing programs. There is ample evidence that music, especially lush chord tones can affect one’s well being.. I am glad to be a part of those programs.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Yes and no…. Pursuing an art form that lacks broad.based commercial appeal can be difficult. It is probably best to have a day job. While pursuing my somewhat secret passion for jazz piano, I got a law degree and practiced law during the day for as many years as I needed to. I’m now back to playing the piano full time, and thrilled to be doing so. Many years ago, I had the little spinet piano I grew up with shipped from my childhood home in Pittsburgh to Los Angeles. Broken keys and all, it sits unplayed in a corner of our living room to remind me where this all started.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I endeavor to apply complex, lush harmonies in interpreting the melodic and lyrical jazz standards. I like to compose or improvise somewhat long introductions to songs and if possible drop hints about the tune I’m about to play before opening the door to the melody. A tactic used regularly and impishly by Erroll Garner. While I find new music and what is trending to be interesting I have not changed my basic conception of the music I play. The songs I’ve been playing over the years have not changed, I’m just playing them more abstractly.

How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I’m always interested in new and interesting places, for folks who are familiar as well as unfamiliar with the jazz standard repertoire. Over the years I’ve played the piano in many unorthodox if not quirky venues and I have always enjoyed the experience. Several months ago I played a “duet” in a hospital lobby with a miniature therapy horse. It was memorable. My services are and always have been available for worthwhile charities.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://eddiesmithpiano.com
• Instagram: eddiesmithpiano