Trumpeter Preston Smith, a resident of Houston, teaches band and music at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School. He was also the host of the Straight Ahead Jazz Night at the famous Red Cat Jazz Café in downtown Houston which has a long history of showcasing jazz artists of various genres. Smith is also making a name for himself as a premier performer in the area thanks to many performances with his quintet, and additional freelance gigs in the region. His Recent CD "Beneath the Surface" has sold throughout the US, and Internationally.
Preston started his college career as a scholarship musician at Texas Wesleyan University in Dallas, Texas. He continued his study of trumpet performance at Western State College of Colorado where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music Performance in 2000. While studying jazz and classical music in college, Preston performed professionally with multiple groups throughout Colorado and collaborated with several on a variety of recording projects. He played with Dixieland, jazz, funk, rock, and Latin groups throughout the state and performed in several notable venues including One World Festival, UNC Jazz festival, and the Montana Traditional Jazz Festival.
Afterwards Smith took a full assistantship to pursue his Masters of Music at Southeastern Louisiana University. While there, Smith was a member of the faculty brass quintet and played lead trumpet in the top big band. Smith then started his teaching career, and played professionally throughout Southern Louisiana. In 2002, he was invited by Tom Benson (Saint’s Owner) to play the national anthem before the Dallas Cowboy’s vs New Orleans Saint’s NFL Game in the Louisiana Superdome.
While in Louisiana Preston began to record and play professionally there and throughout Texas, Alabama, and Florida. He recorded his first solo album, “One Night Stand,” at Word of Mouth Studio in New Orleans. Smith also recorded and toured with Jive Train, a funk R&B group, as well as appearing with the R&B band, Coffee, featuring Ernest Scott on the TV show, Louisiana Jukebox. "In the Cool," his second solo album was released in 2003, and several of his originals were featured on the “Hammond Toast to the Arts” CD, and on the Strawberry Jam Toast to the Arts Festival compilation album.
After brief stint as co-owner of SugaCane's Jazz 'n Blues restaurant and club in Hammond, Louisiana, Smith moved to Houston to become a high school administrator. In 2012, Smith again turned to his horn and music in earnest. He recorded a 3 song CD called "In the Pocket", and started performing throughout the Houston area. In 2015, Preston released his newest Album "Beneath the Surface" is selling on all major markets including itunes, amazon, Spotify, cdbaby, and many more. It has been showcased on radio across the US and internationally in over 15 countries, as well as Sirius XM Radio.
Mr. Smith is now the host of the Saturday Jazz Brunch at the Houston House of Blues, and the host of Sunday Evening Jazz at the Cellar Door Winery in Katy, Texas. He is also working on releasing two new recording projects in the fall of 2016.
Preston is an endorsing artist for Phaeton Trumpets. Smith plays on a Phaeton BLACK/COPPER ANTIQUE finish PHT-2060 Bb trumpet, and a Phaeton BLACK/COPPER ANTIQUE finish PHTF-2800 flugelhorn.
www.prestonsmithjazz.com – This site provides audio clips and videos of Mr. Smith.
Contact email - baldcoach@hotmail.com
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