Warren Smith

Born in Chicago Illinois, Warren I. Smith entered the professional music world at the early age of fourteen, working in various family bands in the late 1940’s and later in the mid-50’s with Captain Walter H. Dyett’s concert and marching bands. Warren Smith has firm roots grounded in the Chicago south side music scene. Warren is a part of an essential element in the development and definition of Afro-American music. Warren relocated to New York City in 1957 and completed his Masters of Music at the Manhattan School of Music in 1958. That same year brought his first jazz gig in New York City with Kenny Burrell at Minton’s Playhouse. W.I.S. played Birdland in 1959 with Gil Evans, and from 1960-1972 worked regularly with Johnny Richards’ Bigband. It was around that time that Warren began extensive work both in the studios and on Broadway. Already an articulate voice within the jazz community, Warren Smith found himself deep inside the Motown scene throughout the 1960’ and 70’. Being the unsung percussionist on the scene with Bernard Purdie, Warren played on all the Gladys Knight and the Pips’ 45 hit singles; performed on numerous occasions with Dionne Warwick; did several tours, recording sessions and TV dates with Harry Bellafonte; Backed up Nat King Cole on his week summer tour of New England, 1964; played the R n R Shows with Murray the K. in Brooklyn; toured with Barbra Streisand throughout the U.S. in 1965; worked on the ABC New York staff orchestra 1964-67 - including the Jimmy Dean Show and the Less Crane/Nippsy Russell Show; recorded on the only collaborative album done by Marvin Gaye and Tammy Terrell; musical director of Janis Joplin in 1969- playing the Ed Sullivan Show, the San Francisco Ice Palace and her only European tour; recorded, toured and did live TV performances with Aretha Franklin from 1965-1978, including a performance at the 1971 Montreaux Jazz festival, which he also played with Tony Williams Lifetime EGO that same year. Concurrent with his extensive Motown and studio work, Warren Smith began to teach at Adelphi University in 1969 and later at the State University of New York in Old Westbury from 1971-1996. Never loosing sight, Warren has remained a prominent percussionist and drummer within the jazz world. Performing, touring and recording with every progressive from Charles Mingus to Miles Davis, From Muhal Richard Abrams to Sam Rivers, Max Roach, M’Boom, Jabbo Ware, David Murray, Sonny Sharock, Anthony Davis and many other masters of the music.

Partial Discography Warren Smith & The Composer's Workshop Ensemble Warren Smith and the Composer's Workshop Ensemble Warren Smith and the Composer's Workshop Ensemble (1995) - Warren Smith & The Composer's Workshop Ensemble By: Warren Smith & The Composer's Workshop Ensemble Credited Role:Main Performer Song List: Sub Structure, Hello Julius, Blues for E.L.C. Warren Smith Warren Smith and Masami Nakagawa Warren Smith and Masami Nakagawa (1979) - Warren Smith By: Warren Smith Credited Role:Main Performer Warren Smith & the Composers Workshop Ensemble Composers Workshop Ensemble Composers Workshop Ensemble (1974) - Warren Smith & the Composers Workshop Ensemble By: Warren Smith & the Composers Workshop Ensemble Credited Role:Main Performer Warren Smith Last Detail Last Detail (1981) - Warren Smith By: Warren Smith Credited Role:Main Performer Song List: Red Cadillac and a Black Moustache, Book of Broken Hearts, ... Warren Smith/Cowell/Jordan/Bey/Novosel Cats Are Stealing My ---- Cats Are Stealing My ---- (1998) - Warren Smith/Cowell/Jordan/Bey/Novosel By: Warren Smith/Cowell/Jordan/Bey/Novosel Credited Role:Main Performer Song List: Listen to Songs by Smith, Warren [Percussion] Ann Of Zninga, Jitterbug Waltz, Cats Are Stealing My Shit (... Warren Smith Warren Smith and Toki Warren Smith and Toki (1979) - Warren Smith By: Warren Smith Credited Role:Main Performer Esther Phillips Best of Esther Phillips (1962-1970) Best of Esther Phillips (1962-1970) (1997) - Esther Phillips By: Esther Phillips Credited Role:Percussion Song List: Listen to Songs by Phillips, Esther Release Me, Am I That Easy To Forget, I've Forgotten More T... Van Morrison Astral Weeks Astral Weeks (1968) - Van Morrison By: Van Morrison Credited Role:Vibraphone Song List: Listen to Songs by Morrison, Van Astral Weeks, Beside You, Sweet Thing Jackie Wilson Mr. Excitement Mr. Excitement (1992) - Jackie Wilson By: Jackie Wilson Credited Role:Drums Song List: St Louis Blues, St. Therese Of The Roses, Reet Petite (The ... Quincy Jones I Heard That! I Heard That! (1969) - Quincy Jones By: Quincy Jones Credited Role:Drums Song List: I Heard That!!, Things Could Be Worse for Me, What Good Is ... Esther Phillips Collectables Classics Collectables Classics (2006) - Esther Phillips By: Esther Phillips Credited Role:Percussion Song List: Lookin' for a Mean (To Satisfy My Soul), Heart to Heart, De... Various Artists Amarcord Nino Rota Amarcord Nino Rota (1981) - Various Artists By: Various Artists Credited Role:Drums Song List: Amarcord, Giulietta Degli Spiriti, 8 1/2 Count Basie Afrique Afrique (1970) - Count Basie By: Count Basie Credited Role:Marimba (Electronics) Song List: Step Right Up, Hobo Flats, Gypsy Queen Roberta Flack Chapter Two Chapter Two (1970) - Roberta Flack By: Roberta Flack Credited Role:Percussion Song List: Listen to Songs by Flack, Roberta Reverend Lee, Do What You Gotta Do, Just Like A Woman Bobbi Humphrey Dig This Dig This (1972) - Bobbi Humphrey By: Bobbi Humphrey Credited Role:Percussion Song List: Lonely Town, Lonely Street, Is This All?, Smiling Faces Som... Chuck Rainey Chuck Rainey Coalition Chuck Rainey Coalition (1972) - Chuck Rainey By: Chuck Rainey Credited Role:Percussion Song List: Listen to Songs by Rainey, Chuck Eloise (First Love), How Long Will It Last, Genuine John (C... Charles Tolliver Impact Impact (1975) - Charles Tolliver By: Charles Tolliver Credited Role:Chimes Song List: Impact, Mother Wit, Grand Max Esther Phillips Set Me Free Set Me Free - Esther Phillips By: Esther Phillips Credited Role:Percussion Song List: Mojo Hannah, I Saw Me, Double Crossing Blues Esther Phillips Country Side of Esther Phillips/Set Me Free Country Side of Esther Phillips/Set Me Free (2001) - Esther Phillips By: Esther Phillips Credited Role:Percussion Song List: Listen to Songs by Phillips, Esther I Really Don't Want To Know, Just Out Of Reach, I Can't Help Aretha Franklin Lady Soul Lady Soul (1968) - Aretha Franklin By: Aretha Franklin Credited Role:Vibraphone Song List: Listen to Songs by Franklin, Aretha Chain Of Fools, Money Won't Change You, People Get Ready Barbara Lewis Hello Stranger: The Best of Barbara Lewis Hello Stranger: The Best of Barbara Lewis (1994) - Barbara Lewis By: Barbara Lewis Credited Role:PercussionDrums Song List: Listen to Songs by Lewis, Barbara [1] My Heart Went Do Dat Da, My Mama Told Me, Puppy Love Aretha Franklin Queen of Soul: The Atlantic Recordings Queen of Soul: The Atlantic Recordings (1992) - Aretha Franklin By: Aretha Franklin Credited Role:Vibraphone Song List: Listen to Songs by Franklin, Aretha I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You), Do Right Woman-Do... Muhal Richard Abrams Blu Blu Blu Blu Blu Blu (1990) - Muhal Richard Abrams By: Muhal Richard Abrams Credited Role:Vibraphone Song List: Listen to Songs by Abrams, Muhal Richard Plus Equal Minus Balance, Cycles Five, Bloodline Sam Rivers Crystals Crystals (1974) - Sam Rivers By: Sam Rivers Credited Role:Drums Song List: Exultation, Tranquility, Postlude Miles Davis Miles Davis & Gil Evans: The Complete Columbia Studio Recordings Miles Davis & Gil Evans: The Complete Columbia Studio Recordings (1957) - Miles Davis By: Miles Davis Credited Role:Timbales Song List: Listen to Songs by Davis, Miles Springsville, The Maids Of Cadiz, The Duke Herbie Mann Best of Herbie Mann Best of Herbie Mann (1960) - Herbie Mann By: Herbie Mann Credited Role:Percussion Song List: Listen to Songs by Mann, Herbie Comin' Home Baby, Memphis Underground, Philly Dog Gil Evans There Comes a Time (Remastered) There Comes a Time (Remastered) (2002) - Gil Evans By: Gil Evans Credited Role:Vibraphone Song List: Listen to Songs by Evans, Gil King Porter Stomp, There Comes A Time, Makes Her Move Various Artists Complete Sun Singles, Vol. 2 Complete Sun Singles, Vol. 2 (1995) - Various Artists By: Various Artists Credited Role:Vocals Song List: Listen to Songs by Complete Sun Singles, Vol. 2 Daydreams Come True, How Long, There's No Right Way To Do M... Don Covay Mercy Mercy: The Definitive Don Covay Mercy Mercy: The Definitive Don Covay (1994) - Don Covay By: Don Covay Credited Role:Bongos Song List: Listen to Songs by Covay, Don Bip Bop Bip, Pony Time, See About Me Kenny Barron Sunset To Dawn Sunset To Dawn (1973) - Kenny Barron By: Kenny Barron Credited Role:Percussion Song List: Listen to Songs by Barron, Kenny Sunset To Dawn, A Flower, Swamp Demon Tom Rapp Sunforest Sunforest (1973) - Tom Rapp By: Tom Rapp Credited Role:Marimba Song List: Listen to Songs by Rapp, Tom Comin' Back, Prayers Of Action, Forbidden City Sam Rivers Crystals [Special Packaging] Crystals [Special Packaging] (2002) - Sam Rivers By: Sam Rivers Credited Role:Drums Song List: Exultation, Tranquility, Postlude Earl Zero Visions of Love Visions of Love (1997) - Earl Zero By: Earl Zero Credited Role:Producer Song List: Listen to Songs by Zero, Earl None Shall Escape The Judgment, Home Sweet Home, Shackles Norman Connors Dark of Light/Dance of Magic Dark of Light/Dance of Magic (1995) - Norman Connors By: Norman Connors Credited Role:Percussion Song List: Dance of Magic, Morning Change, Blue M'Boom Collage Collage (1984) - M'Boom By: M'Boom Credited Role:Vibraphone Song List: Listen to Songs by M'Boom CIRCLES, IT'S TIME, JAMAICAN SUN Original Cast Recording Songs for a New World Songs for a New World (1997) - Original Cast Recording By: Original Cast Recording Credited Role:Percussion Song List: Listen to Songs by Songs for a New World Opening: The New World, On The Deck Of A Spanish Sailing Zusaan Kali Fasteau Comraderie Comraderie (1998) - Zusaan Kali Fasteau By: Zusaan Kali Fasteau Credited Role:Drums Song List: Blessings, Joyful Blues, Hopes Become Real Max Roach M'Boom M'Boom (1979) - Max Roach By: Max Roach Credited Role:Orchestra Bells Song List: Listen to Songs by Roach, Max Onomatopoeia, Twinkle Toes, Caravanserai David Sanborn Taking Off Taking Off (1975) - David Sanborn By: David Sanborn Credited Role:Percussion Song List: Listen to Songs by Sanborn, David Butterfat, 'Way' Cross Georgia, Duck Ankles Norman Connors Dark of Light Dark of Light (1973) - Norman Connors By: Norman Connors Credited Role:Percussion Song List: Dark of Light, Butterfly Dreams, Laughter Kate & Anna McGarrigle Dancer with Bruised Knees Dancer with Bruised Knees (1977) - Kate & Anna McGarrigle By: Kate & Anna McGarrigle Credited Role:Percussion Song List: Listen to Songs by McGarrigle, Kate and Anna Dancer With Bruised Knees, Southern Boys, No Biscuit Blues Joe Zawinul Rise & Fall of the Third Stream/Money in the Pocket Rise & Fall of the Third Stream/Money in the Pocket (1965) - Joe Zawinul By: Joe Zawinul Credited Role:Percussion Song List: Baptismal, The Soul Of A Village Part I, The Soul Of A Vi... Pearls Before Swine One Nation Underground One Nation Underground (1967) - Pearls Before Swine By: Pearls Before Swine Credited Role:Guest Appearance, Drums Song List: Surrealist Waltz Original Soundtrack Jelly's Last Jam Jelly's Last Jam (1992) - Original Soundtrack By: Original Soundtrack Credited Role:Percussion Song List: Listen to Songs by Jelly's Last Jam Prologue, The Jam, In My Day Art Farmer Gentle Eyes Gentle Eyes (1972) - Art Farmer By: Art Farmer Credited Role:Musician Song List: Time for Love, Didn't We, Soulsides Solomon Burke Home in Your Heart: The Best of Solomon Burke Home in Your Heart: The Best of Solomon Burke (1992) - Solomon Burke By: Solomon Burke Credited Role:Tabla Song List: Listen to Songs by Burke, Solomon Home In Your Heart, Down In The Valley, Looking For My Baby Muhal Richard Abrams Rejoicing with the Light Rejoicing with the Light (1983) - Muhal Richard Abrams By: Muhal Richard Abrams Credited Role:Vibraphone Song List: Listen to Songs by Abrams, Muhal Richard The Heart Is Love And 'I Am', Blessed Be The Heavens at 12 ... Pearls Before Swine Balaklava Balaklava (1968) - Pearls Before Swine By: Pearls Before Swine Credited Role:Strings, Arranger Song List: Trumpeter Landfrey...., Translucent C

I play live. I prefer to play live and I play all over the world. I play at Minton's playhouse every Monday with Jack Jeffers and the New York Classics. Our sets are abt 9:00pm and 10:30pm. My career has been over 6 decades so, there are many moments to me that are special. I think that Europe in the early days with Max Roach was pretty special. But being in California at my granddaughter's birth was pretty special too. I composed a piece in the waiting area. You'll hear it soon.

I am influenced by the greats and the not so greats. Art. Life. My friends and family. Max Roach. Art Blakley. Charles Mingus. Quincy Jones.

Percussions, Mirimba, Vibes