Perseverance is a soulful and passionate tribute to musical mentors, family members, and supporters. The album kicks off with “Sound for Sore Ears,” a bright and joyful Jimmy Heath original performed by the quartet. Jimmy Heath is a former teacher of Smith’s. Next, “Karita” offers a Latin jazz-inspired Bobby Watson original performed by the organ

Perseverance is a soulful and passionate tribute to musical mentors, family members, and supporters. The album kicks off with “Sound for Sore Ears,” a bright and joyful Jimmy Heath original performed by the quartet. Jimmy Heath is a former teacher of Smith’s. Next, “Karita” offers a Latin jazz-inspired Bobby Watson original performed by the organ trio. “Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child” is a traditional jazz arrangement of the famous negro spiritual. “Letter To the Ancestors” is a Melvin Smith composition performed by the organ trio, which is a tribute to all those who’ve passed before us. “Beatitudes - Interlude” features the quartet performing another Bobby Watson original. “One by One,” highlights the quartet’s read of the Wayne Shorter tune as a tribute to him and the spirit of Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers. “Gettin’ It” is a funky Melvin Smith original performed by the organ trio. “Beatrice,” also an organ trio feature, presents a read of the Sam Rivers composition as a tribute to the legacy of the saxophonist and his contribution to jazz. The title track, “Perseverance,” is a hard-hitting Melvin Smith original performed by the quartet in tribute and honor of the Classic Coltrane quartet of the 1960s. “Golden” showcases the organ trio’s rendition of the popular Jill Scott song adapted in a way that can only be done by an organ trio. The final track, “Beatitudes,” is the full version of the Bobby Watson composition. The quartet presents and marries passion and intellect.