Catching Up With… Steve Smith Is there a harder-working man in the business? Following a world tour with tabla master Zakir Hussain, he’s got two new albums out and a third on its way. by Ken Micallef Featuring bassist Baron Browne, guitarist Vinny Valentino, alto saxophonist Andy Fusco, and keyboardist Mark Soskin, Vital Information NYC Edition’s Viewpoint, out on May 26, finds fusion star Steve Smith maneuvering classic straight-ahead material and letting it rip on three solo tracks. “I get to play over the top a lot in this band,” Smith says, “which is fun and reminds me of when I would go see Tony Williams, Elvin Jones, or Buddy Rich’s groups, where the drummer could stretch out.” Tracks include Rich’s “Willowcrest,” as well as his classic “Time Check.” “That one retains the big band feel that we had with Buddy’s Buddies,” Smith explains, referring to the group he formed […]

June 2015 Issue