Anthony Smith
Vibraphone Artist
“… a jazz artist of the highest level — a deep thinker
with an interest in pushing the vibraphone more into the focus of jazz fans and enthusiasts.”
— Behn Gillece
Anthony Smith has been performing, arranging, composing and producing music professionally for 25 years. As a pianist, keyboardist and vibraphonist, he has worked with many well-known artists in the world of jazz, and also pop, rock and a variety of other genres. In addition to working as a sideman in a large number of both local and touring groups, Anthony has led many of his own bands, performing extensively throughout the U.S., and also abroad on occasion.
Anthony is also a prolific composer and writer, having written and produced numerous albums, screenplays, stage plays, and a 700-page memoir titled The Lizard Stays in the Cage, published in 2013. His latest work is a series of conversation with today’s living jazz vibraphonists, titled Masters of the Vibes, and published by Marimba Productions, Inc.
He served for years on the jazz faculty at San Diego State University, where he earned a Masters Degree in 2010, and was the regular keyboardist for The Mighty Untouchables, one of San Diego’s premier variety pop/rock acts. Anthony also performed regularly for many years with a who’s who of San Diego’s finest jazz musicians, appearing live at many of the city’s top clubs and venues on an ongoing basis.
In 2014, Anthony relocated to New York City with his wife and two sons, and is currently establishing himself in the East Coast’s vibrant jazz scene, as both a vibraphonist and pianist.