At age thirteen, Tim acquired an old electric guitar and decided to teach himself to play rock guitar. Soon he was having jam sessions with his musically inclined buddies in the attic of his parents' house. The sounds of Black Sabbath, Cream, and the Rolling Stones boomed from the open attic windows prompting many complaints from the Smiths' neighbors.
While in high school in the early-1970s, Tim joined his first rock band, Crown Vetch, and played in a local battle of the bands competition. Later he became aware of the beauty of improvisation thanks to his older brother John - a versatile jazz guitarist whose influences include Jim Hall, Wes Montgomery, and Pat Martino. Watching John practice and play nudged Tim in the direction of jazz. He started listening to Weather Report, Return to Forever, The Mahavishnu Orchestra, Passport, and other fusion bands. Soon he discovered emerging guitar greats Allan Holdsworth, Pat Metheny, and John Scofield. In addition, his taste in rock music became more refined: he listened to Yes, Gentle Giant, UK, and King Crimson and other techno-rock groups of the day.
By the late 70s, Tim had built his own guitar and was a respected jazz-rock musician among his musical peers in Meadville. In 1982, the rock group Option 30 formed with Tim, bassist Jim Nordstrom, drummer Todd Nero, and keyboardist/vocalist Trent Reznor (yes, that Trent Reznor). The group played cover tunes but also played a number of originals penned by Tim. Trent left the band two years later and Tim led the group as a power trio. Option 30 gained a loyal following in northwestern PA but broke up in 1986.
Having tried the rock scene, Tim decided to switch gears, and in 1988 formed the jazz quartet Blue Windows with his younger brother Tom (a drummer). The group played mainly straight ahead jazz standards, but mixed them up with originals and tunes by John Scofield, Herbie Hancock, and other fusion artists.
Tim moved to the Washington D.C. area in 1991 and formed a fusion trio with his brother Mike on drums and Paul Langosch on bass. In the mid 90s, Tim gigged and recorded with the fusion band Facing East led by flutist John Wubbenhorst. In addition, he wrote and played on two tunes - Sanctuary and Sadhana - for percussionist Broto Roy's CD, American Raga. Sanctuary was one of the songs space tourist Gregory Olsen would listen to as he floated in zero gravity, looking at the Earth from a space station window.
In 1997, Tim left D.C. to be in New Orleans with his fiance. It was there that he got the chance to play with New Orleans musicians John Fohl, Chip Wilson, George Porter, Leo Nocentelli, and many others. A few years later, he formed the funk-rock band, Kerfunk, with rhythm guitarist John Segal, drummer Eddie Ecker, and his two sons - bassist Kelly Smith and lead vocalist Roan Smith (now Know One of Media Darling Records).
Tim moved back to D.C. in 2003. Inspired by his musical experiences in New Orleans, he began composing new jazz-fusion tunes - some with a distinctly New Orleans flavor. In 2004, Tom asked Tim to join him in a jazz trio. Their brother Mike introduced them to bassist Neil Lewis, and the Timothy Smith Group was formed.
Tim relocated back to New Orleans in mid 2009 to be close to his sons. Six months later he died of complications resulting from a rare heart tumor. At his memorial the surviving members of Option 30, Jim Nordstrum and Todd Nero, payed homage to their fallen leader by performing some of their tunes with the help of Tim's two sons, Roan and Kelly, filling in for him. It was the first time their song "Water From The Moon" had been played live in public. On that night scientists announced they had in fact found water on the moon.
Although he is TERABLY missed, the music world is just as bright for Tim's light still shines through the many songs he left behind. His sons continue to make music in his name.
Excellent expression! I'm glad to see that you have pursued your lifelong dream and passion. For some reason... I now want to play a game of Risk on a Sunday afternoon.
Thanks for the add. Lovin' the tunes! I was letting them play while I surfed and my wife walked by and said, "who is that? I like that!" (she never says that!). Looking forward to hearing more of you!
be well, Damian
