Holiday Jazz Performance

Come enjoy a holiday jazz concert featuring Dr. David L. Smith Jr. on the trombone.

Dr. David L. Smith Jr.  (born in Boynton Beach, Florida) is an American jazz trombonist, educator, and composer. Smith devotes his time to performing, educating, and composing jazz and classical music for a large audience ranging from elementary to college-level students. Born into a musical family at age 8, Smith became the drummer for his father’s church. His parents encouraged and supported his musical ambitions later. By age 12, he began his first formal music training on the trombone. By the age of 17, Smith became interested in jazz music. Upon graduating from high school, he attended Florida State University where he studied and earned a bachelor’s degree in jazz studies.

Smith has performed with leading jazz artists including the late George “Buster" Cooper (trombonist from the world-renowned Duke Ellington Orchestra), Vincent Gardner, Wycliffe Gordon, Marcus Roberts, Jason Marsalis, Roland Guerlin, Rufus Reid, Leon Anderson, Rodney Jordan, John Gunther, and Dave Corbus. With a passion for jazz education, Smith decided to further his education in the field by earning both masters and doctoral degrees in jazz studies performance from the University of South Florida and the University of Colorado.  

Today, Smith currently serves on faculty as Professor of Music at Santa Fe College in Gainesville, FL. As a bandleader, Smith currently leads the “Jazz Traditions," in the North Florida area. He continues to perform, compose, and educate jazz music for all citizens, sharing his lifelong passion.

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