Marvin "Bugalu" Smith facts for kids

Marvin "Bugalu" Smith (born in 1948) is an American jazz drummer. He is famous for his amazing work with Sun Ra and his band, The Sun Ra Arkestra.

Early Life and Music Journey

Marvin Smith was born in Englewood, New Jersey. His father was a carpenter, and Marvin grew up with three brothers and sisters. He started playing the drums when he was only two years old!

Marvin learned from some of the best drummers ever. These included Max Roach, Elvin Jones, Philly Joe Jones, and Art Taylor. He also learned a lot from his older brother, Earl "Buster" Smith. Earl later played with another famous musician, Eric Dolphy.

Adventures in Italy

Later, Marvin Smith traveled to Italy with a saxophonist named Tyree Grimm Jr. He loved it so much that he stayed there for 20 years! During this time, he also played music with Rocky Roberts.

While living in Italy, Marvin became a Buddhist. This spiritual practice helped him think about his drumming in new ways.

Playing with Jazz Legends

Marvin Smith played with the famous musician Archie Shepp from 1982 to 1987. After that, in 1987, he joined Sun Ra's amazing band, the Arkestra. Sun Ra was known for his unique and experimental jazz music.

Teaching and Jam Sessions

In the 1990s, Marvin took a break. He then moved to the Hudson Valley in New York State. There, he started teaching drums to many students. He was a tough but caring teacher. He helped many young drummers become better musicians.

Marvin also hosted a very popular jazz jam session every Tuesday night. This happened at the Terrace Lounge in Newburgh, New York. Musicians from all over New York and nearby states would come to play. Marvin would even record these sessions and share them online!

The first part of the show featured Bugalu and his special musical guests. Then, his group of students, called "Bugalu's Drum Crew," would play the second set. This went on until 2012.

Recent Years

After a tour in Italy in 2012, Marvin focused on working in his music studio. He also played on many recordings. He toured Italy again in 2015. Since 2017, Marvin Smith has been living in New York City. He continues to play music at sessions and gigs all around New York and the nearby states.