Upcoming Performance!
Our founder, Warren I. Smith, will be performing at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign The Forest Program on Wednesday, October 16th! Warren spent four years attending the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign before starting his teaching career in the New York Public School system and going on to teach at the SUNY Jazz department in 1971. While establishing his teaching career, Warren also performed in Raisin, Guys and Dolls, West Side Story, and Jelly’s Last Jam on Broadway and created M’Boom and Max Roach’s percussion ensemble. Warren will be on campus Wednesday and Thursday where he will also be talking on a panel and receiving the FAA Alumni Award on Thursday, October 17th.
You can learn more about this event here.
Wednesday, October 16th
Performance at &:30pm Tyron Festival Theatre
Thursday, October 17th
4-5pm Talk w/ Music Department at Spurlock Hall
5:30-7pm FAA Alumni Award Ceremony and Presentation
Get the book!
For this holiday season, show your love of African-American classical music and surprise your friends or family with the Warren I. Smith memoir.
“Born with a beat in his soul and a drumstick in hand, Warren I. Smith’s destiny with music was inevitable. His musical chops took him from the smoky jazz clubs of Chicago, through the intoxicating energy of New York’s music scene, to global tours, sharing the spotlight with some of the most iconic musical acts of the past six decades. An exceptional blend of a classically trained musician and a relentless riff master, Warren shattered barriers with his thirst for innovation alongside his indomitable spirit.
But his journey was far from a solo act; it unfolded against the backdrop of the Civil Rights Era, where the rhythm of societal change harmonized with his personal revolution. In a time when Black musicians battled for recognition, he carved a path that would become a bridge between cultures and a beacon of resilience. His contributions to jazz, R&B, funk, pop, and rock and roll became a universal language, uniting hearts and transcending boundaries.
Beyond the melodies and the applause lies a story of unwavering passion, unyielding determination, and unbreakable friendships. Crossing Borders and Playing With Pioneers invites you to step into the electrifying journey of a jazz legend, a trailblazing percussionist, drummer, arranger, and composer who didn’t just play the music—he became its heartbeat.”
Credit: 1st edition back cover
Order the book for 8.99 or 19.99 on Amazon!
