Smith Center Blog

Performances and Artists

Why Latin-Jazz Trailblazer Poncho Sanchez Is Completely Self-Taught

Globally acclaimed bandleader and conguero Poncho Sanchez still recalls the single music lesson of his life. After he spent weeks listening to his sisters’ Tito Puente records to teach himself the congas in his parents’ garage, one of his sisters paid a professional percussionist to visit and give him tips.

Performances and Artists

Five Intriguing Facts About Pink Floyd

Progressive rock band Pink Floyd remains legendary for a reason. Beyond its rock masterpieces like “Another Brick in The Wall” and “Money,” now radio staples worldwide, the British band also set a mind-blowing standard for live performances. The group’s shows included grandiose props, elaborate set pieces and transcendent special effects, including the construction of a giant wall on stage throughout the band’s tour for its iconic album “The Wall.”

Performances and Artists

How Sting Launched the Success of Trumpet Virtuoso Chris Botti

"People always ask me at the airport or during interviews, how my success happened," Botti says. "And I always tell them there are only four ingredients: Practice, practice, practice, and be friends with Sting." Playing worldwide as part of Sting’s band in the 1990s gave Botti a rare education in succeeding as a global entertainer.

Performances and Artists

Acclaimed Jazz Trumpeter Carries on Count Basie’s Legacy

Scotty Barnhart still remembers getting the call in 1993 to join the Count Basie Orchestra, one of the swing era’s most legendary jazz groups. He calls this one of the greatest thrills of his life. “I had admired and respected the orchestra’s founder, William James ‘Count’ Basie, and his orchestra ever since I was a child,” recalls Barnhart, an Atlanta native who first saw the orchestra live in his hometown at 12 years old.

Performances and Artists / National Geographic Live

Diving Into the Unknown of Underwater Photography

As a leading underwater photographer for National Geographic and one of the premiere speakers with National Geographic Live, National Geographic’s touring series that brings to life the awe-inspiring stories of National Geographic Explorers, Brian Skerry likes to recall an especially magical moment on the job. This particular assignment involved so many risks and unknowns, he worried he couldn’t pull it off.

Broadway Las Vegas / Performances and Artists

The True Stories of Henry VIII’s Wives Who Inspired Broadway Smash ‘Six’

Just like the wives of English monarch Henry VIII, the cocreators of smash Broadway musical “Six” achieved greatness at a young age. Both in their mid-20s at the time, Lucy Moss and Toby Marlow developed their novel concept for a musical set as a pop concert while students at Cambridge University in 2017. Aiming to create a women-driven production, they decided the show would star the six wives of Henry VIII, most of whom married the king as teenagers or in their early 20s and led lives of drama and intrigue.

Broadway Las Vegas / Performances and Artists

The Remarkable Journey of “Hadestown” to Broadway

It’s easy to think that eight-time Tony-winning musical “Hadestown” became a phenomenon overnight. But in fact, this groundbreaking show reimagining two Greek myths took a very unusual path to Broadway.

Performances and Artists / Broadway Las Vegas

Actress from Original Broadway Production of ‘Annie’ to Direct National Tour

When Jenn Thompson landed the role of Pepper in the original Broadway production of “Annie,” she felt like she had “hit the lottery,” she says. “It was every little girl actress’ dream to be a part of this astounding, moving, mega-hit musical,” Thompson remembers of taking on the rollicking musical numbers in this female-driven production. Now she will help tell Little Orphan Annie’s story on stage again – only this time, as director of the Broadway musical’s national tour.