J. B. Smith
Biography

Dr. J. B. Smith is Professor of Music and the Coordinator of Percussion Studies in the School of Music at Arizona State University. He is internationally recognized as a performer, composer, educator and conductor having performed and recorded with musicians such as Steve Reich, Daniel Lentz, George Crumb, Chinary Ung, Sal Martirano, Chou Wen Chung, Lou Harrison, Morton Subotnick, Mary Ellen Childs, Arthur Weisberg, Alex Acuna, Robert Spring, John Bergamo, Len “ Boogsie” Sharpe, Liam Teague, Robert Chappell, Brad Dutz, and Anthony Braxton.

He is director of the ASU Contemporary Percussion Ensemble that was featured in performances at the 1991, 2002 ad 2006 Percussive Arts Society International Conventions. As a member of the Desert's Edge Clarinet-Percussion Duo with Dr. Robert Spring, Dr. Smith performed at the Music Educator's National Conference in 1994 and the 1992, 1995, 2002 and 2004 Clarinet Fest International Conferences. He served as principal percussionist with Ensemble 21, a contemporary music group under the direction of Arthur Weisberg, and as principal percussionist with The Daniel Lentz Group which performed at the Interlink Festival in Los Angeles, the Bang on a Can Festival in New York and the Festival Musica Visual in Lanzarote, Canary Islands. He has also recorded and performed with the internationally acclaimed Summit Brass and the Phoenix Symphony Orchestra. He has recorded for Koch, Summit, Centaur, Rhizome Sketch, Fontec, Leo, Canyon Records and Whole>Sum Productions. His CDs Apparitions for Percussion, First Reflections and At the Desert's Edge are available from Amazon.com.

He received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Baylor University where he studied with Dr. Larry Vanlandingham, his Master of Music in Percussion Performance and Literature degree from the University of Illinois where he studied with Prof. Thomas Siwe and his Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of North Texas where he studied with Dr. Robert Schietroma. Previously, Dr. Smith was on the music faculties of Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas and Humboldt State University in Arcata, California. He has written articles for The Instrumentalist, The Canadian Band Journal and Percussive Notes and served as president of the Arizona chapter of the Percussive Arts Society. In 1995, he hosted the Percussive Arts Society International Convention in Phoenix.

Dr. Smith is active as a composer, with numerous works published by C. Alan Publications.

As a clinician, he has appeared at the Texas Bandmasters Convention in 1997, the 1998 Music Educator's National Conference and the 1998 and 2004 Percussive Arts Society International Conventions. Dr. Smith proudly endorses Pearl Drums, Adams Percussion, Zildjian Cymbals, Mike Balter Mallets, and Grover Pro Percussion.

VITA

Dr. J. B. Smith
School of Music
Arizona State University
40 E Gammage Parkway, WB24
PO Box 870405
Tempe AZ 85287-0405
phone: 480/965-3549
fax: 480/965-2659

EDUCATION

1992 Doctor of Musical Arts: University of North Texas. Dissertation: "Parallels in the Development of Electronic and Percussion Music and an Examination of Performance Problems in Lejaren Hiller's Machine Music for Piano, Percussion and Two-Channel Tape Recorder"

1982 Master of Music in Percussion Performance and Literature: University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana

1980 Bachelor of Music Education--Cum Laude: Baylor University

TEACHING POSITIONS

1987-PRESENT Professor of Music: Arizona State University School of Music-Tempe, Arizona.

Duties: Percussion Area Coordinator
Resident Artist: Institute for Studies in the Arts
Studio Instructor of Bachelors, Masters and Doctoral Percussion Students
Contemporary Percussion Ensemble Director
Interdisciplinary Digital Media and Performance team teacher
Pan Devils Steel Band Director
Percussion Repertoire Instructor
Percussion Pedagogy Instructor
Educational Methods: Percussion Teacher
Finale Music Notation Workshop Instructor
Various administrative assignments including: undergraduate and graduate advisement, search committees, graduate advisory committee, computer committee, ISA Music Coordinator and iChamber managing director

1986 Lecturer in Music: Tarleton State University-Stephenville, Texas

Duties: Studio Instructor of Undergraduate Percussion Students
Percussion Ensemble Director

1982-1985 Lecturer in Music: Humboldt State University-Arcata, California

Duties: Percussion Area Coordinator
Studio Instructor of Undergraduate Percussion Students
Percussion Ensemble Director
Percussion Methods Class Teacher
Marching Band Director
Dance Department Music Director
Electronic Music Instructor
Contemporary Chamber Players Director

CREATIVE ACTIVITIES AND RESEARCH

Professional Performances

Principal percussionist with The Daniel Lentz Group. Performances at the 1997 Festival de Musica Visual in Lanzarote, Canary Islands, 1993 Bang on a Can Festival in New York, 1992 Interlink Festival at Japan America Theater in Los Angeles

Principal percussionist for the new music group Ensemble 21, Arthur Weisberg, director. Numerous performances and two compact disc recordings

Symphonic Percussion: Phoenix Symphony Orchestra (extra), Summit Brass, Chamber Orchestra Arizona, Arizona Opera Orchestra, Arizona Ballet Orchestra, Raphael Mendez Brass Institute, Phoenix Bach Choir Orchestra, Sun Cities Symphony Orchestra, East Texas Symphony Orchestra, The American Wind Symphony Orchestra, Champaign-Urbana Symphony Orchestra, Waco Symphony Orchestra, Dallas Civic Symphony, Richardson Symphony Orchestra

Percussionist for numerous national and regional musical theater productions including Fascinatin' Rhythm, Once on this Island, Into the Woods, Children of Eden, A Chorus Line, Phantom, West Side Story, Achille's Heel, Bye Bye Birdie (with Gary Sandy), The Pirates of Penzance, Hello Dolly (with Carol Channing), The Texas Chainsaw Manicurist, Carousel and I Do, I Do (with Rita Moreno)

University Performances

Concerto performances with the Arizona State University Symphony Orchestra, Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band and Concert Band

Arizona State University Clarinet-Percussion Duo with Robert Spring. Performances thoughout the U.S.,Canada and Europe including the 2004, 2002,1994 and 1991 Clarinet Fest International Conferences, 1994 Music Educators National Conference, and 1992 Oklahoma Clarinet Symposium

Principal percussionist and managing director for the new music group iChamber, Gary Hill--music director

Numerous solo recitals and chamber music performances

National/International Events-PERFORMANCES

2006 30 city solo recital tour
2005 Focus Day performer at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention in Columbus, Ohio
2004 Clarinet Fest International performance with Robert Spring in Washington DC
2003 Percussionist for International Cello Congress Orchestra
2002 Director of Arizona State University Contemporary Percussion Ensemble that was invited to perform at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention in Columbus, Ohio
2002 Clarinet Fest International performances with Robert Spring in Stockholm, Sweden
1998 25 city solo recital tour
1998 Section percussionist for the International Flute Society Festival Orchestra
1997 Summit Brass performance at the Brass Bands of America Festival in Danville, Kentucky
1995 Host of the Percussive Arts Society International Convention in Phoenix, Arizona. 3800 percussionists, instructors, vendors and manufacturers from around the world attended
1995 Clarinet Fest International performances with Robert Spring in Tempe, Arizona.
1994 Music Educators National Conference concert/clinic with Robert Spring
1991 Clarinet Fest International performances with Robert Spring in Flagstaff, Arizona
1991 Director of Arizona State University Percussion Ensemble which was invited to perform at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention in Anaheim, California
1989 Guest conductor for All-State College Percussion Ensemble for Tennessee Day of Percussion, Middle Tennessee State University
1987 Percussion Soloist for The International Computer Music Conference, Urbana, Illinois. Music of Frances White, Lejaren Hiller and Iannis Xenakis

State events--PERFORMANCES

1999 Concerto performance with Northern Arizona University Wind Ensemble.
Solo Recital for the Arizona Percussive Arts Society 1998 Spring Festival
Ensemble performance with members of University of Arizona and Northern Arizona University percussion faculty at Arizona Percussive Arts Society 1995 Spring Festival
Direction of 1987 and 1990 All-State High School Percussion Ensembles
Performances at ASU West with Pan Devils Steel Band, faculty chamber ensemble, Daniel Lentz Group and Richard Lerman
Annual performances by Contemporary Percussion Ensemble at Arizona Percussive Arts Society Spring Festivals

Producer, Percussionist and/or Visual Artist for interdisciplinary projects at the Institute for Studies in the Arts

2000-2003 iChamber. Percussionist, producer and computer programmer for concerts and CD recording with The iChamber Players, Gary Hill--music director
2001 Voodoo Dreams. Project director for stage adaptation of Jewell Parker Rhodes novel Voodoo Dreams
2000 Acoustic Animation. Curator and presenter of two installations of sound art pieces by Dan Senn, Marek Choloniewski, and Richard Lerman. Included in the program was an original surround sound piece Convolution Canopy
1999 Music Between Cultures. Project director for premieres of two new works for chamber ensemble: James DeMars Sabar and Phil Winsor's Formosan Mosaics. Guests from Africa and Taiwan performed with faculty members of the ASU School of Music.
1998 Jeffrey's Ghosts: Multimedia event for electronic and acoustic percussion, computer generated video, articulated video jibs and dancers. Included on the program were premieres of Daniel Lentz's Apparitions of J. B. for live and recorded electronic percussion and Wendy Mae Chambers' Mandala in FunK for four percussionists.
1994 Composition No. 174 for Percussion Ensemble and Constructed Environment: Institute for Studies in the Arts sponsored work by Anthony Braxton for the ASU Percussion Ensemble. I provided slide projection design and conducted.
1994 Crash. Residency coordinator for premier and videotaping of commissioned piece by Mary Ellen Childs for 10 cymbal players
1993 The Binary Wheel: Project coordinator and musician for collaboration with light sculptor Milton Komisar--an interdisciplinary performance involving live musicians and a light sculpture created by Komisar.
1991 Reversing the Spell. Provided computer-controlled slide projection sequences and performed electronic and acoustic percussion in collaborative production with composer/programmers John Mitchell and Robb Lovell
1991 The Nose by Elizabeth Egloff, Roger Bedard, director. Provided slide design and computer controlled sequencing of projections for set and costume construction assistant
1990 Choice. Composed and performed commissioned work for solo marimba and solo dance with dancer/choreographer Michelle Villaça
1990 Mad Dog Dreams : Percussionist for dance piece by Elina Mooney

Recordings

Standard of Excellence: Keyboard Percussion. Neil A. Kjos
Triptyque, Music for Trumpets and Organ. Accord Records
iChamber Players: iChamber. Centaur Records
J. B. Smith: First Reflections, Whole>Sum Productions
J. B. Smith: Apparitions for Percussion. Whole>Sum Productions
J. B. Smith and Robert Spring: At the Desert's Edge. Whole>Sum Productions
Robert Spring, Clarinet Music of Joan Tower. Summit Records
James DeMars with Carlos Nakai, Native Tapestry. Canyon Records
James DeMars with Carlos Nakai and the Black Lodge Singers, Two World Concerto. Canyon Records
Ensemble 21, Music of Messiaen, Revueltas and Ruggles. Summit Records
Yoshihiro Kanno, Resounding Sphere II--Works By Yoshihiro Kanno. Fontec
Anthony Braxton, Composition No. 174 for Percussion Ensemble and Constructed Environment. Leo Records
Summit Brass, Paving the Way. Summit Records
Summit Brass, Spirits of Fire. Summit Records
Daniel Lentz, b. e. comings. Rhizome Sketch
Ensemble 21, Voices Within. Summit Records
Phoenix Symphony Orchestra, Elmer Bernstein's Magnificent Seven. Koch International

Publications

1992-2008 Compositions published by C. Alan Publications--Greensboro, North Carolina:

Conga Tarang for three percussionists
Soca Phase for two percussionists
Prelude to Elaboration version 3 for vibraphone, steel pan and marimba
Prelude to Elaboration for oboe, clarinet and bassoon
"all things hastened back to Unity" for 12 percussionists
Meta Motto for Wind Ensemble
Concertante Diversion for 6 Percussionist and Wind Ensemble
Five Concert Etudes for marimba
Slap Shift for six conga drummers
First Reflection for solo marimba
In Light of Three for clarinet, marimba/vibes and tape
Dulcimer Dream for marimba/vibes and tape by Phil Winsor/trans. J.B. Smith
Congastück for two conga players
Choice for solo marimba
Boundary Waters for solo marimba
Seconds Lost for marimba duo
Skin Tensor for percussion trio
Conga Mix for three conga players
It's Destiny...Gasp for voice and 8 percussionists
Trio Passacaglia for marimba, vibraphone and bass marimba
Ringing Webs of Metal Threads for two vibraphones
Mountain Images for percussion quintet

Computer Programs

2005 Flash Tracker Music Sightreading Evaluator Program-MAX/MSP for Macintosh
2003 Pitch Tracker Percussion Performance Evaluator-MAX/MSP for Macintosh
1997 Flashworks Music Sightreading Program-MAX/MSP for Macintosh

Articles and Reviews

December-January, 2002-2003 Review of Jean Batigne's Duplex for 4 melodic timpani, multiple percussion and piano. American Music Teacher.

June, 1999 "Reading Technique on Keyboard Percussion Instruments", Percussive Notes,

Spring, 1998 "Timpani Tuning", Canadian Band Journal, Vol. XXII No. 3.

November, 1994 "Four-Mallet Independence and Rhythm Study", Percussion News

Spring, 1987 "Instrument Innovations--The Harry Partch Instrument Collection and Ensemble", Percussive Notes

March, 1983 "Mallet Keyboard Sight-Reading", The Instrumentalist

Clinics/Adjudications

2007 Percussive Arts Society International Convention Individuals Contest Judge
2005 Percussive Arts Society International Convention Contest Judge
2004 Percussive Arts Society International Convention Contest Judge
2002 Conservatory of Music-Oostende, Belgium Clinician
2002 Texas UIL All-State Solo and Ensemble Contest Judge
2001 Percussive Arts Society International Convention Adjudicator
2001 Minnesota Percussion Association Clinician/Performer
2000 Percussive Arts Society International Convention Adjudicator
1999 Percussive Arts Society International Convention Adjudicator
1999 Texas UIL All-State Solo and Ensemble Contest Judge
1998 Percussive Arts Society Marching Festival Judge
1998 Percussive Arts Society International Convention Clinician: Keyboard Fundamentals
1998 Minnesota Music Educator's Association In-Service Clinician
1997 Texas Bandmasters Association Clinician
1994 and 1998 Music Educators National Convention Clinician
1992 Arizona Music Educator's Association In-Service Conference Clinician
Arizona All-State Band and Orchestra Judge
Arizona Percussive Arts Society Fall and Spring Festivals Judge
Arizona Music Educators Association In-Service Clinician
Performer/Clinician at numerous US and Canadian Colleges and Universities including:

Arcadia University-Wolfville, Nova Scotia
Augsburg College-Minneapolis, Minnesotta
Baylor University
Capital University-Columbus, Ohio
Concordia College-Moorhead, Minnesota
Columbus College
Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam
East Carolina University
Eastern Michigan University
Florida State University
Ft Lewis College-Durango, Colorado
Illinois State University-Bloomington
Indiana University
Ithaca College
Kansas State University
Kent State University
Louisiana State University
Michigan State University
Middle Tennessee State University
Minnesota State University-Mankato
Morehead State University-Morehead, Kentucky
Northern Arizona University
Northern Illinois University
Ohio State University
Ohio University
Portland State University
Rice University
Sam Houston State University
St Cloud State University
Stephen F. Austin University
SUNY Buffalo
SUNY Fredonia
Tennessee Tech University-Cookeville
University of Arkansas
University of Central Florida
University of Colorado-Boulder
University of Florida
University of Illinois
University of Kansas
University of Kentucky-Lexington
University of Miami
University of Michigan
University of North Carolina-Greensboro
University of North Dakota
University of North Texas
University of Oregon
University of South Florida
University of Southern Illinois
University of Texas-Austin
University of Washington
Washington State University
Western Michigan University
Western Ontario University

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT

Graduate Placement

Kyle Forsthoff (MM 2006) DMA student at the University of Kentucky
Joe Goglia (BM 2006) freelance percussionist and Adjunct Faculty at Mesa Community College
Aaron Morales (BM 2006) Masters candidate and Graduate Teaching Assistant at the University of New Mexico
Andrea Venet (BM 2005) Masters candidate at Rutgers University
Margaret Billin (BM 2004) Masters candidate and Graduate Teaching Assistant at Eastman School of Music and James Madison University
Eric Gewirtz (BM 2004) Public Relations dept with the New York Philharmonic.
Jeremy Kushner (DMA 2003) former Assistant Professor at Missouri Southern State College--Joplin, Missouri
Thomas Murphy (MM 2003) Adjunct Faculty at Mesa Community College and Percussion Director for the Phoenix Symphony Guild.
Chris Reidy (BM 1999, MM in progress) formerly Teaching Fellow at the University of North Texas and Director of Bands at Coronado High School-Scottsdale, Arizona. Extensively toured with Broadway production of Blast. Featured soloist at Disney Tokyo in Spring 2004.
Michael Richau (BM 2004) percussionist for Disney production of Blast in Anaheim, California
Keith Lienert (MM 2003) Instructor at Elgin Community College-Elgin, Illinois
Doug Nottingham (DMA 2002) Assistant Professor at Glendale Community College-Glendale, Arizona
Paul Koch (MM 2002) assistant band director at Desert Ridge High School--Gilbert, Arizona
Mark Breen (BM 2002) Graduate teaching assistant at Northern Illinois University
Corey Fogel (BM 2002) Graduate student at California Institute for the Arts.
Ian Templin (BM 2002) Director of Bands at Cesar Chavez High School-Laveen, Arizona.
Tim Rush (MM 2001) free lance percussionist and teacher in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Performs with Caribbean Eclipse and is co-director of CALYPSO, the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra's new Steel Band program.
Dave Sabine (MM 2001) percussion instructor at the University of Regina, Saskatchewan
Melanie Sehman (Tebay) (MM 2001) Assistant Professor at the City University of New York Queensborough Community College. Graduate teaching assistant and DMA recipient from the Eastman School of Music
Steve Sehman (BM 2001) Percussion Instructor at Bronx Community College and Masters recipient from the Eastman School of Music.
Pete Ellingson (MM 2000) Adjunct faculty in the College of Arts and Media at the University of Colorado at Denver.
Ryan Watson (BM 1999) Teaching assistantship at Michigan State University-East Lansing, Michigan
Gabe Lugo (BM 1999) Teaching assistantship at the University of Las Vegas, currently Director of Bands at Moon Valley High School--Phoenix, Arizona
Stan Dahl (MM1997) Faculty Associate at Central College-Pella, Iowq
John Pennington (DMA 1996) Professor of Music at Fort Lewis College-Durango Colorado. Section percussionist for Santa Fe Opera
Daryle Redmond (MM 1996) Faculty Associate at Plattsburgh State University in Plattsburgh, New York
Julie Hill (MM 1996) Assistant Professor of Music at University of Tennessee---Martin. Member of percussion trio Caixa. DMA recipient from the University of Kentucky.
Scott Werner (MM 1996) Assistant Director of Bands at Corona del Sol High School-Tempe, Arizona. Performed with Arizona Opera and recorded CDs with Yoshiro Kanno and Summit Brass
Mike Nichols (MM 1996) former drummer for A. J. Croce
Steve Ridley (BM 1995) Los Angeles free-lance composer and former teaching assistant at the University of California at Los Angeles
Robert Edgar (BM 1994) Director of Bands at Gilbert High School-Gilbert Arizona
Sandy Schaefer (DMA 1994) Professor of Music and Director of Jazz Studies at Chadron State College-Chadron, Nebraska
Valerie Whitchurch (BM 1993) National Manager, Education for American Musical Instruments
Keith Ballard (BM 1993) Director of Community Relations, Sweetwater Union High School--San Diego, California.
Kevin Fuhrman (BM 1990) Vice President of Minnesota Percussion Association and freelance musician in Minneapolis-St. Paul
Scott Lang (BM 1990) Director of Bands at Marcos de Niza High School-Tempe, Arizona
Leo Werner (BM 1990) Director of Bands at Mountain Pointe High School-Tempe, Arizona
William Meldrum (BM 1990) Director of Bands at Agua Fria High School-Phoenix, Arizona

Honors

Keith Ballard (BM 1993) 2003 ASU College of Public Programs Alumni Chapter Hall of Fame inductee. Recipient 2001 California Music Educators Association MULTICULTURAL MUSIC AWARD Honoring Excellence in Multicultural Music Education
Andrea Venet alternate finalist for 2003 Percussive Arts Society International Marimba Competition.
Victoria Lopez fifth place snare drum solo at 2003 DCI Finals in Orlando, Florida
Joseph Goglia fifth place tenor solo at 2003 DCI finals in Orlando, Florida
Andrea Venet, Victoria Lopez and Freddie Smith accepted into 6-time DCI World Champion Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps
Joseph Goglia accepted into 8-time DCI World Champion Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps
Tricia Brown (private high school student) won Clotilde Otranto First Prize in the 2000 Phoenix Symphony Guild Concerto Competition
John O'Reilly (BM in progress) won best big band drummer of the Pacific Coast Collegiate Jazz Festival at Berkeley, CA. in May 1998
Sonja Branch (MM 1994, DMA in progress) invited to participate in 1996 PASIC masterclass with Michael Burritt; 1996 ASU Concerto Competition winner
Mark Falzarano (BM 1995) first prize in the 1994 keyboard percussion Drum Corps International individuals competition
Scott Werner (MM 1994) 1994 ASU Concerto Competition winner
Ryan Gliha (private high school student) first prize in the 1993 National MTNA percussion competition in Spokane, Washington
Kevin Fuhrman (BM 1990) 1990 ASU Concerto Competition winner

SERVICE

2003 Society of Electro-Acoustic Music in the United States National Conference co-host
1995 Percussive Arts Society International Convention Host
1991-93 President of the Arizona Chapter of the Percussive Arts Society
Percussive Arts Society Competitions Committee Member
Percussive Arts Society Composition Contest Committee Member
Arizona Chapter of the Percussive Arts Society Fall and Spring Festivals Host
Arizona Commission on the Arts grant panel member
Phoenix Arts Commission grant panel member

GRANTS

ASU CFA Research: Percussion Performance Evaluation Computer Programs
Institute for Studies in the Arts: Anthony Braxton commission, premier and recording of Composition No. 174
Institute for Studies in the Arts: Mary Ellen Childs commission, premier and videotaping of Crash.
ASU-CFA Research Grant: Sight Reading Computer Program
American Composers Forum: Wendy Mae Chambers commission of Mandala in FunK
Arizona Commission on the Arts: visiting artist support
ASU Public Events: Voodoo Dreams production sponsorship
ASU College for Liberal Arts and Sciences: Voodoo Dreams production sponsorship
ASU English Department: Voodoo Dreams production sponsorship
ASU Office of the Vice Provost for Research: Voodoo Dreams production sponsorship
Zildjian Cymbal Company: visiting artist support and instrument contributions
Pearl Corporation: visiting artist support and instrument contributions
Vic Firth, Inc.: visiting artist support
Sabian Cymbal Co.: visiting artist support
Calato-Regal Tip: visiting artists support

CORPORATE SPONSORS

Pearl Corporation-Nashville, Tennessee
Adams Percussion-Thorn, Holland
Zildjian Cymbal Company-Norwell, Massachusetts
Mike Balter Mallets-Prospect Heights, Illinois
Grover Pro Percussion-Woburn, Massachusetts