“Bassist and composer Steve Smith writes gorgeous, haunting original music. His compositions, often a response to literature, nature or social movements, are rich with exotic harmonies, unexpected melodies and driving rhythms.” –David Blake, Tangent Cafe
“That tradition [the piano trio] is beautifully represented, and nudged forward at least a bit on Chantal’s Way, which, is a meeting of players with an open line of communication, a three-way dialogue…Behind the session, literally, musically, and organizationally, is Smith, a strong player and composer…”
–Josef Woodard, Jazztimes Magazine
“Smith, who loves the music of Scott LaFaro and that kind of postmodern bassist, has made quite a statement with this extraordinarily consistent and inspired performance.”
–Michael G. Nastos, All Music Guide
For over three decades Bassist/Composer/Bandleader Steve Lloyd Smith has had the privilege of writing over a hundred and twentyfive songs including fifteen suites, and the honour of recording with some of the best musicians in New York (Richie Beirach, Billy Hart, Adam Rogers, Clarence Penn, Taylor Eigsti, Eric Harland, Aaron Parks, Joe Dyson, Dayna Stephens, Victor Gould, and Marcus Gilmore). His debut album as a leader, Chantal’s Way (recorded at Sorcerer Sound March 1996 in New York) on Double Time Records features Richie Beirach & Billy Hart. Smith’s first guitar trio album Roll (recorded at Systems Two March 2010 in New York) features Adam Rogers & Clarence Penn. Smith’s first New York recording of a complete suite Breathe (recorded at Sear Sound March 2015 in New York) features Taylor Eigsti & Eric Harland. Smith’s interest in the seven deadly sins and the seven holy virtues inspired Sins & Virtues (recorded at Samurai Hotel March 2023 in New York) featuring Aaron Parks & Joe Dyson. Smith’s most recent New York album Three Circles (recorded at Big Orange Sheep March 2024 in New York) features Dayna Stephens, Victor Gould & Marcus Gilmore.
Steve Lloyd Smith relocated to Vancouver in 2000 and began writing, performing and recording with some of the best musicians in Vancouver (Dave Say, Kevin Elaschuk, Lisa Cay Miller, Dylan van der Schyff, Dave Sikula, Tom Foster, Jillian Lebeck, Paul Townsend, Chris Gestrin, Joe Poole, Dave Robbins, Andrew Skepasts, Dan Reynolds, and Nicholas Bracewell). Smith’s trio album Life Cycle Suite (recorded at Riverside Recording Studios July 2001 in Vancouver) features Dylan van der Schyff. Smith’s first quintet album Five (recorded at The Factory Studios October 2002 in Vancouver) features Dave Say, Kevin Elaschuk, and Dylan van der Schyff. Smith’s first quintet Five was called “one of the most vibrant bands on the burgeoning Vancouver jazz scene”. On June 25th, 2004, Five opened for Mike Stern at the Centre for the Performing Arts for the 2004 Vancouver International Jazz Festival, resulting in the live album FIVE Live at the Centre. In July 2006, Smith was contracted by Zula Productions to present four concerts of original music for the Artist in Residence series at rime. In November 2007, Smith’s second quintet Shapes recorded the album Cry (recorded at The Factory Studios November 2007 in Vancouver) featuring Dave Say, Dave Sikula, and Tom Foster. Smith’s second quintet Shapes was said to be “moody, swinging and altogether modern”. On October 2nd, 2008, Shapes recorded the live album SHAPES Live at the Cellar. Smith’s project, Songs features Jillian Lebeck, and Paul Townsend. Songs was “formed specifically to explore the open conversational style of the piano trio combined with the lyrical quality of the voice”. Two live performances in the 2009 and 2010 Vancouver International Jazz Festival resulted in the live album SONGS Live at the Roundhouse. Smith’s album
Deep River of the Soul (recorded at Monarch Recording Studio October 2017 in Vancouver) is a complete recording of two original suites, and features Chris Gestrin, Dave Sikula, and Joe Poole. Smith’s album Healthy (recorded at Monarch Recording Studio October 2022 in Vancouver) is a complete recording of two original suites, and features Dave Say, Chris Gestrin, and Dave Robbins.
Smith’s most recent Vancouver album The Darkness Before the Dawn (recorded at Monarch Recording Studio October 2023 in Vancouver) is a complete recording of two original suites, and features Andrew Skepasts, Dan Reynolds, and Nicholas Bracewell. All of Steve Lloyd Smith’s albums as a leader are released on his record label Chantal’s Way. Smith is also featured on five of Lisa Miller’s albums on her green ideas record label. These albums include lisa miller trio with Brad Turner: Early Days (2003), a live recording from the 2003 Vancouver International Jazz Festival with Dave Robbins, Q: music by lisa miller (2005) featuring Peggy Lee and Dylan van der Schyff, lisa miller trio: open (2006) CBC trio recordings for Hot Air and Jazz Beat with Tom Foster, lisa miller octet: Sleep Furiously (2007) with a string quartet and jazz quartet, and Q: waterwall (2011) featuring Eyvind Kang.
Before moving to Vancouver, Smith resided in San Francisco. A native of California, Smith received a Bachelor of Arts in Music from the University of California, Santa Barbara. After studying privately with Bertram Turetzky and Bob Magnusson in San Diego, he was contracted for a series of performances in Canada where he met jazz pianist and contemporary classical composer, Lisa Miller. The two moved to New York City. Following this enlightening time in New York, Smith and Miller traveled extensively with their own trio. Their travels took them to the Caribbean, Alaska, the Mediterranean, the British Isles, Scandinavia, Africa, South America, Hawaii and Tahiti. While living in Montreal, Smith made several trips to New York to prepare for his debut album with Richie Beirach and Billy Hart. Steve Lloyd Smith now resides in East Vancouver’s Commercial Drive Community.
