“...One of the finest reed men in the jazz business today"” - Edward Blanco

— EJazz News

Melvin Smith, " A soulful sax man and well musically educated award winner" (Chris Spector-Midwest Record Review), is a native of Jacksonville, Florida who began playing saxophone at the age of thirteen.

During his early musical development Smith was fortunate to have great musical experiences like performing at the Montreux Jazz Festival and a European tour. Smith attended the prestigious Berklee College of Music where he received an excellent education in music. Smith later received a Master's Degree in Jazz Studies from Queens College in New York. Comfortable in many different musical genres and configurations, Smith is a seasoned band leader and performer.

Since Portrait (2007) his first recording as a leader, Smith has pushed the envelop artistically. Not willing to settle for the status quo,  Melvin Smith  looks to make a statement with every arrangement and composition. The overall composition is greater than anyone part.

 

Performances with:

Oleta Adams, Eddie “E.J.” Allen, Cecil Bridgewater, Kim Burrell, Jonathan Butler, Tye Tribbett, Byron Cage, Doug Carn, Norman Connors, Hubert Eaves, Onaje Allen Gumbs, Fred Hammond, Roy Hargrove, Darwin Hobbs, Israel Houghton, Greg “Organ Monk” Lewis, Donnie McClurkin, Martha Munizzi, Jeb Patton, Charli Persip, Ben Vereen, Kirk Whalum, Natalie Wilson, and Be Be Winans.

 

A Time For Change

Melvin Smith,  spent  twenty years delivering his brand of music

to the New York scene. Now he’s back home in Jacksonville, with a great sound that mixes funk, blues, world, gospel and hip hop. Enjoy Smith wether in Jacksonville or abroad. It’s a show that shouldn’t be missed.

Selected Discography

 

As A Leader:

2022 "The Blessed EP"

2020 “New Jack Theme”

2014 “Time Will Tell”

2010 “Evidence”

2008 “I Surrender All”

2007 “Portrait”

 

As A Sideman:

2022 "Breaks from the Soul Vol. 2"- Stix Bones

2021 “Breaks from the Soul”- Stix Bones

2014 “Twice As Nice”- Stix Bones

2013 “No Turning Back”- New Hope Ensemble

2010 “Beyond The Blues”- The Back Alley Players

2004 “All- 4- 7” - All -4-7

2002 “Funk Monk EP” - Welf Dorr and funk monk

2002 “Now is The time”- New Hope ensemble

 

 

Notable Performances

 

*Jacksonville Jazz Festival

*Minton’s 48hr Jazz Marathon performance

*Montreux Jazz Festival performance

*Lincoln Center Out of Doors performance

*Louis Armstrong House Inauguration performance

*Jazz at Lincoln Center, The Allen Room performance

 

Media Contact:

 

Melvin Smith Music

P.O. Box 28808

Jacksonville, FL 32226

www.melvinsmithsax.com

info@melvinsmithsax.com

917.929.5015

Press Photos

“A proficient saxophonist with a knack for writing catchy tunes”” - Bill Milkowski

— JazzTimes

Music

Video

Inquiries