Professor Dr. Christopher Smith

University of Music and Performing Arts Graz, Austria KUG

Chris Smith - JAZZ GRUNGE (May 2025)

Recent performances include the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, Bob Mintzer, Dick Oatts Quintet, Troy Roberts, Andrew Gould Quartet, and Randy Brecker. When in New York City I perform with the Birdland Big Band, come catch us Fridays 5:30-7pm. It’s an amazing big band performing in one of the world's best venues. Additionally, my performance schedule stays busy with work in venues such as The Blue Note, Smalls, Chicago Jazz Festival, Telluride Jazz Festival, Dizzy’s Club, and the Jazz Showcase. With my teaching position at KUG in Graz Austria I am also actively touring and performing in Europe.

I absolutely love to teach. In March 2022 I began a new role as Professor of Jazz Drums at University of Music and Performing Arts in Graz, Austria. The opportunity to be a full-time teacher of talented students and work with a world-class faculty is a dream come true. I will be in Graz inspiring generations of students for many years to come. My higher education teaching experience includes undergraduate and graduate level drum set, jazz history, music business, jazz pedagogy, rhythm section workshop, jazz ensembles, percussion ensemble, and orchestral percussion. Past appointments as a clinician and lecturer include the University of American Library in Paris, University of Wyoming, Temple University, and University of North Texas. I have a Bachelor in Jazz from Northern Illinois University, a Master in Jazz from Manhattan School of Music, and a Doctorate of Arts from the University of Northern Colorado. If you are interested in drum lessons I can be reached on the contact page above.

I hope you check out my debut album as a leader Jazz Grunge. This album is my genuine offering and a unique blend of my influences. Not intended to upset either camp (Jazz or Grunge) or to be controversial. I sincerely just hope that you enjoy the sounds and energy of this incredible band. I also hope that we inspire you to go back and listen to the original songs while at the same time realizing that Jazz is very much alive and a broad canvas that can be painted with many grooves, harmonies, and influences. Purchase the limited edition LP or CD here at Cellar Live

Lastly, my passion for jazz history led me to write The View from the Back of the Band: The Life and Music of Mel Lewis. The book is published by the UNT Press and available here in paperback and e-book. Telling the story of legendary drummer Mel Lewis the book is a comprehensive resource combining meticulous biographical information, a discography, drum transcriptions and analyses, original interviews, and never before published photographs and memoirs of Mel.