Evento

Friends with Benefits - The New Smith Dobson Sextet

Drummer/vibraphonist/saxophonist Smith Dobson V has been performing in the Bay Area for over twenty years.

Originally from Santa Cruz, Dobson is a member of an important jazz family. His father, the late Smith Dobson IV, was a world reknowned pianist and director of the jazz series at Garden City in San Jose for over twenty years, where he accompanied the likes of Art Pepper, Stan Getz, Bobby Hutcherson, Harold Land, Chet Baker, Red Norvo, Tal Farlow, and Lee Konitz, to name a few. Also in the family, Grandfather Smith III is a jazz accordionist; Grandmother Norma, Mother Gail, and Sister Sasha are all jazz vocalists.

Smith Dobson V has had the honor of working with some of the great Jazz artists, locally and internationally, such as Bobby Hutcherson, Red Rodney, John Handy, Sheila Jordan, Red Holloway, Pete and Conte Condoli, Phillip Harper, Hal Stein, Noel Jewekes, Ben Goldberg, Graham Connah's Sour Note Seven, Darren Johnstone, Charlie Shoemake, Will Bernard, and Kenny Brooks.

Since 2001, Smith has turned much of his artistic energy to composing.

In January 2007, he released his first album of original compositions entitled Basement Bloodlines on the Evander Music label, featuring Devin Hoff on bass, Vijay Anderson on drums, John Finkbeiner on guitar, and Dobson on vibraphone.

Dobson sings and plays bass in the indie rock band Grand Lodge, who released their self-titled debut in 2010.

He was featured at this year's Monterey Jazz Festival with his band Prez Kids, playing jazz influenced by the iconic Lester Young and early swing era.

Dobson's latest musical venture is the band Friends With Benefits, featuring Ben Goldberg, clarinet, Henry Hung, trumpet, Michael Coleman, piano, Kim Cass, bass, Vijay Anderson on drums and Dobson on alto saxophone. The band plays contemporary jazz, strongly influenced by the music of Ornette Coleman, Jackie Mclean, Duke Ellington, Charlie Parker, as well as many other avenues of influence.