Live Performances 2015 -2020

April 15th, 2024, Cool Cats

Singapore

Timeless R&B

By Zora Imani & Christy Smith

Set 1

Set 2

The Christy Smith Trio with:

Kerong Chok - Piano

Aaron James Lee - Drums

Christy Smith - Basses

Zora Imani - Vocals

Malik El-Zinzi - Vocals

Original Music by Zora Imani

July 17th, 2023

I Remember You, Johnny!
by Yvette Atienza & Friends

Lyrics by Johny Mercer

Yvette Atienza - Vocals

Mei Sheum - Piano

Darryl Ervin - Drums

Christy Smith - Bass

Yvette Atienza

June 11th, 2023

Christy Smith's FESTAC '77

at the

Esplanade Annexe Studio

Part auto-biographical story, part musical tribute to Fela Kuti and mentors, Christy recounts his transformative experience of FESTAC ’77 through narration and his original music. Deviating from the straight-ahead jazz sound that Christy is currently known for, this concert will be one of heavier Afrobeat-influenced music, with drummers, percussion, and a horn section, recreating the vibe of Fela’s old Afrika Shrine.

“There was a deep dynamic for me in my growth as a person an artist, warrior and spiritual being.
I want to pay some respect and homage to a great icon, and to this period of transformation in my life.”
– Christy Smith

Click on Christy's picture to read
his interview by the Esplanade Offstage

See also Christy's Blog on Black History Month 2017:

Festac 77 2nd Annual BLACK and AFRICAN FESTIVAL OF ART and CULTURE:
From the Cradle to the Now

June 16th, 2023

The Sean Hong Wei Quartet at The Jazz Loft

Sean Hong Wei - Saxophones

Kerong Chok - Piano

Yap Ting Wei - Drums

Christy Smith - Bass

January 5th, 2023

Zora and Family at The Jazz Loft

Weixiang Tan - Piano

Aaron James Lee - Drums

Shawn Letts - Saxophones

Christy Smith - Bass

Zora Imani - Vocals

Malik El-Zinzi - Vocals

June 17th, 2022

The Word Stage Concert

Jamael Dean - Piano

Javier Vergara - Tenor Saxophone

Christy Smith - Basses

Fritz Wise - Drums

Songlist:

I Mean you
Moments Notice
26- 2
Lament
Bolivia
I want to talk about you.
Squeeze Me
Firm Roots
Ask Me Now
Jitterbug Waltz
Bud Powell

Secret Love
Nica’s Dream
Black Bird
In your own Sweet way
Invitation.
Ceora
For All We Know
Airegin
I’m Old Fashioned
Blues
The night has a thousand eyes.

Metal Jazz: Christy Smith at World Stage, June 17, 2022.
The World Stage kicked off Juneteenth weekend with Christy Smith, an old-time California bassist who's found a home in Singapore for the last 30 years. Just like that, Smith assembled an expert quartet: HoraceTapscott drummer Fritz Wise on drums, young phenom Jamael Dean on piano and saxist Javier Vergara on tenor. They whipped out some standards, old-skool.

Warming up on Monk's "I Mean You," the guys showcased why everybody likes Wise -- he throws down such a crisp beat, but keeps things hopping with those dramatic fills on the toms. The eyes of big-dreadlocked Dean scanned the ceiling as his fingers tumbled wildly across the keys on Cedar Walton's upbeat "Bolivia" and flowed dynamically through the Trane-via-Eckstine ballad "I Want To Talk About You." Dean cocked a special ear to Smith's bass choices; the two often traded phrases even when Smith wasn't taking off on one of his precise, quick, songlike solos. The versatile Vergara, though usually tapping his lode of energy and ideas, hit his most comfortable pocket in lowdown swinging Dex mode behind Dean's lighthearted tinkle on "Squeeze Me."

Leimert Park Beat:
Tribute to Mentors of the Arts (The new World Stage), by Christy Smith.
Growing up in Compton; Music was in our diet thanks to my parents & the radio.(KBCA 105).
Louis Thomas, Troy Robinson and John Outerbridge come to mind. Troy & John opened the Communicative Arts Academy & later moved to the Watts Towers.(This was the place we rehearsed to prepare for Festac77)

I'd like to homage & give thanks to the people who inspired me to want to be a part of music or the musical experience. Although, to many to name, Billy Higgins, Harold Land , Henry Franklin, James Leary, Wayne Vaughn, Billy Childs, Gip Noble and all the cats I grew up playing with.

I left Los Angeles 1993 for a tour in Singapore. It was very timely for me as there was sparse work after the L.A. Riots of 1992. Never planned to stay or live there. It was the blessing I needed to continue playing my instrument. So, its so nice to be able to come from Singapore back home after the 2 years we've endured after the pandemic. I want to thank Dwight Trib(b)le & all who made it possible for the World Stage to serve the Arts to the people from the neighbourhood & to the world.

Click here to watch the video of this great show at World Stage on June 17th, 2022!

New York City - May 30th, 2022

Miki Yamanaka Trio & Jam Session

at the Smalls Jazz Club

Miki Yamanaka - Piano

Jimmy Macbride - Drums

Paul Sikivie - Double Bass

Christy Smith - Double Bass

Smalls Jazz Club was created in 1994. Founded by Mitchell Borden, a former Navy submariner, registered nurse, philosopher and jazz violinist, his initiative was to create an environment that was conducive to Jazz Music and Jazz culture. Under his generous care, a culture of vibrant and newly energized young musicians claimed Smalls as their home base and began to develop their individuality in the music. SmallsLIVE, 183 West 10th Street, New York City.

February 14th, 2022

Jeremy Monteiro and Friends:

Celebrating Valentine’s Day and the Lantern Festival

Jeremey Monteiro - Keys

Christy Smith - Basses

Yap Ting Wei - Drums

January 22nd, 2022

"Nostalgia" composed by Jeremy Monteiro
Arranged by Scott Routenberg
Performed at the SCO Hall, Singapore

Jeremy Monteiro - Piano

Rit Xu - Flute

Sean Hong Wei - Saxophones

Christy Smith - Double Bass

Tamagoh YS - Drums

Bobby Singh - Indian and Latin Percussions

Together with the

Christy Smith Music