Name: Greg Smith
Profession: Saxophonist
Years Playing: since the age of 8
College/Major/Degree: attended North Texas University
Location: Los Angeles, CA

I recently had the privilege of interviewing Greg Smith – it was very spur of the moment (he came in where I work) and he was very courteous in granting me the interview. Greg Smith is a very talented baritone saxophone player who currently tours with The Eagles as their saxophonist and horn section leader. I was very pleased that he took the time to contribute to Teen Jazz.

Greg Smith began playing the saxophone at the age of eight. He attended college at North Texas University where he studied with Tim Bell and Jim Riggs. His playing is strongly influenced by musicians such as Coltrane, Miles Davis, Gerry Mulligan, Serge Chaloff, Buddy Rich and numerous others. Greg Smith just completed an album entitled “Smile & Nod”. He told Teen Jazz that he is making more money than he ever has at any other point in his career while touring with The Eagles and feels that his career has gone exactly how it was supposed to go. He does wish, however, to write more and improve his image marketing skills. He also looks forward to teaching master classes at schools, record more, and to continue touring.

Some of the artists and groups that Greg Smith has performed with include Aaron Neville, Pink, Stan Kenton, Bruce Willis, The Eagles, Supersax, Buddy Rich, and Dwight Yocum. He feels that his coolest gig is his current one with the Eagles while his lamest one he had was with Johnny Catron that paid only $23 a week after taxes. Greg Smith’s most embarrassing gig was when he was on the road for the first time. He was playing with Stan Kenton; Albert Hall had written a feature for him. When he went to play the solo, he squeaked in front of thousands of people.

Greg Smith’s first horn was a Buescher Soprano Saxophone that he inherited from an uncle. Hobbies that he enjoys aside from music include golf and “annoying people”. Greg Smith has endorsements with SaxRax and has had an endorsement with Rico since 1983. The advice Greg Smith offers to the young musicians is “Enjoy Your Life”.

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Published by Shannon Kennedy

Shannon Kennedy is a vocalist and saxophonist living in Southern California. She is author of "The Album Checklist" and the founder of Teen Jazz. She has been contributing articles to music magaizines and websites since 2004.