1/24/2023
Performances and Artists
When globally acclaimed trumpeter Jumaane Smith says that music saved his life, he means it.
“I went through a lot of trauma and bad stuff during my childhood,” Smith says.
But after he started playing trumpet in fifth grade in his Seattle school’s band, “it just became the one positive thing going on in my life at the time,” he explains.
One positive reinforcement led to another, Smith recalls, from earning stickers for practicing to getting into his high-school jazz band, to impressing a music teacher who nurtured his talent.
This eventually led to a full scholarship at Juilliard, where Smith studied directly under jazz icon Wynton Marsalis.
“He’s still a great friend and mentor,” Smith says. “I got to immerse myself in a situation where people were very dedicated to honing their craft. It taught me a lot about discipline and drive and focus.”
That’s come in very handy, as Smith has performed and toured with multiplatinum singer Michael Bublé for the past 18 years. Smith has also recorded on five Grammy-winning albums, and performed at the White House, the Grammys and on hit TV shows like “The Oprah Winfrey Show” and “Good Morning America.”
“It’s a fun, uplifting, exciting show, really high-energy,” Smith promises. “We’ll play a lot of music that people know, but in our way.”
Making the Climb with Michael Bublé
Smith has played with Bublé since the beginning of the music star’s career.
He first performed with the hit singer while still a student at Julliard, when Bublé’s first single “Home” was just climbing the charts.
“When I joined Michael’s band, we were just playing small theaters,” Smith remembers. “Now 18 years later, I’m still working with him.”
Smith and Bublé have “circled the globe several times” on tour together, he says, adding that many years they spend more time together than with their families.
“It’s been a tremendous ride and opportunity to be in the band that long, and have a small role to play in (Bublé’s) progression,” Smith says.
The Wonder of Playing with Stevie Wonder
Smith’s work with Bublé has led to performing with other musical greats, including touring the globe with Jackie Evancho and performing many times with Stevie Wonder.
Smith’s favorite experiences include playing with Wonder at the Grammys, where Smith and other musicians impressed the megastar by playing “Superstition” perfectly during rehearsal.
“(Stevie Wonder) was like ‘OK, you guys know the song! Do you just want to jam on some jazz tunes for awhile?’” Smith recalls. “I’ve had several experiences with Stevie Wonder over the years, and I’ve always been completely starstruck.”
Smith also relishes the memory of playing at the Hollywood Bowl with Frank Sinatra Jr. and 28-time-Grammy-winning, producer-musician Quincy Jones.
“It was the closest I’d ever get to being part of ‘live at the Sands with Sinatra and Quincy Jones,’” Smith says with a laugh. “It was wild.”
Crafting His Own Music
Above all, Smith cherishes composing and recording his own jazz melodies – especially when Michael Bublé recorded on Smith’s debut album “I Only Have Eyes For You.”
“It’s very rare he’ll do (recordings) as a sideman, so I was really fortunate he agreed to do it for me,” Smith says. “We recorded in the same room together, and it was a really cool, organic experience. That was an amazing thing to do.”
Smith looks forward to an equally amazing experience at his upcoming show.
“For me, music is my passion, and it gives me so much joy and hope,” he says. “Hopefully (the audience) will feel how uplifting and inspiring it is for me, and feel that for themselves, as well.”
SEE THE SHOW
Jumaane Smith performs April 15 in Myron’s at The Smith Center – for tickets, CLICK HERE.