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Kenny
Smith: Drums
Kenny Smith was raised in the heart of the Chicago
blues scene. While other babies listened to nursery
rhymes, Kenny listened to the blues, and the blues
in Kenny's house were played by America's finest.
His father, Willie "Big Eyes" Smith, is
one of the best-known living blues drummers. Willie
played in Muddy Waters' band for some 30 years.
So, it's only natural that Kenny would grow up with
a drumstick in his hand, and a back beat in his
head. Muddy Waters and his band were like family
to Kenny. They encouraged his music, and were his
mentors.
In a recent article about Kenny's drumming capabilities
Robert Margolin said: "…Kenny …
plays in the moment and provides a great drum part
in any musical situation. He listens and creates
in an instant. Kenny is certainly already one of
the best drummers out there. Trust me on that. I've
been on bandstands with some of the best…and
the worst."
While Kenny acknowledges that his father taught
him 99% of what he knows, he has also studied with
such great drummers as Odie Payne, Fred Below, Earl
Phillips, S. P. Leary, Francis Clay and Art Blakey.
Kenny has performed with an impressive list of blues
legends, that includes Pinetop Perkins, Big Bill
Morganfield, Homesick James, Honeyboy Edwards, Henry
Townsend, Rusty Zinn, Fingers Taylor, Mississippi
Heat, and The Cashbox Kings - just to name a few.
Besides playing and recording with Mississippi Heat
since 1997, he has played on more than 50 albums
with people like Jody Williams, Big Jack Johnson,
Aron Burton, Lurrie Bell, Dave Myers, Kim Wilson,
Paul deLay, Junior Wells, and the Legendary Blues
Band.
Kenny reports: "I am seriously developing my
piano playing and my vocals. The harp is just a
hobby, but the drums are my heart and soul. If there
comes a time when I feel the blues is dying, I will
make a Kenny Smith CD to carry on the tradition,
to keep the blues alive. I grew up with the blues
all around me, from the very day I was born, so
the traditional blues will always be a big part
of me. I can play different styles of music but
I learned it all from the blues." |
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