Nate Smith (musician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Nate Smith
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Smith in 2017
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Ira Nathaniel Smith |
| Born | December 14, 1974 Chesapeake, Virginia, United States |
| Instruments | Drums |
Ira Nathaniel Smith (born December 14, 1974), known as Nate Smith, is a talented American drummer. He is also a songwriter and producer. Nate has been nominated for a Grammy Award three times!
Nate Smith's Life and Music Journey
Early Life and Discovering Drums
Nate Smith was born in Chesapeake, Virginia. He started playing the drums when he was 11 years old. At first, he loved playing along to rock and funk music. When he was 16, he discovered jazz music. He was inspired after listening to an album called Album of the Year by Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers.
College and Big Opportunities
Nate studied media art and design at James Madison University. While he was there, he performed at a big jazz conference. At this event, he met the famous jazz singer Betty Carter. She was so impressed that she invited him to play with her in New York City!
Nate then went to graduate school at Virginia Commonwealth University. There, he met Dave Holland, a well-known bassist. In 2003, Nate joined Dave Holland's band, the quintet. He played on their albums Critical Mass (released in 2005) and Pathways (released in 2009).
Releasing His Own Music
In 2017, Nate Smith released his very first album as the main artist. It was called Kinfolk: Postcards from Everywhere. He also worked with a group called The Fearless Flyers. In 2018, he helped write and perform on their first music release. He even went on a tour across the United States with them. The Fearless Flyers have released several music collections since then.
Nate has also created music for TV shows. He composed soundtracks for documentaries on the Discovery Channel and The Learning Channel. He even helped write and produce a song for Michael Jackson called "Heaven Can Wait".
Nate Smith's Music Albums
Albums as the Main Artist
- Workday, Waterbaby Music Vol. 1 (2008)
- Kinfolk: Postcards from Everywhere (2017)
- Pocket Change (2018)
- Light and Shadow (2020)
- Kinfolk 2: See the Birds (2021)
- Pocket Change 2: Mad Currency (2023)
Albums as a Collaborator
Nate Smith has played drums on many albums for other artists. Here are some of them:
With Robin Eubanks
- Klassik Rock Vol. 1 (2014)
- More Than Meets the Ear (2015)
With Dave Holland
- Critical Mass (2006)
- Pathways (2010)
With Brittany Howard
- Jaime (2019)
- What Now (2024)
With Jose James
- Love in a Time of Madness (2017)
- Lean on Me (2018)
With Chris Potter
- Underground (2006)
- Follow the Red Line (2007)
- Ultrahang (2009)
- Imaginary Cities (2015)
With Other Artists
- Patricia Barber, The Cole Porter Mix (2008)
- Randy Brecker, Randy Pop! (2015)
- Scott Colley, Seven (2017)
- Nir Felder, Golden Age (2014)
- Takuya Kuroda, Rising Son (2014)
- Monday Michiru, Don't Disturb This Groove (2011)
- Eric Roberson, Fire (2017)
- Adam Rogers, Dice (2017)
- Karel Ruzicka, Grace & Gratitude (2018)
- Paul Simon, In the Blue Light (2018)
- Alex Sipiagin, Live at Smalls (2013)
- Somi, Petite Afrique (2017)
- The Fearless Flyers, The Fearless Flyers (2018), The Fearless Flyers II (2019), Tailwinds (2020), The Fearless Flyers III (2022), The Fearless Flyers IV (2024), The Fearless Flyers V (2025)
Nate Smith's Drum Gear
Nate Smith uses specific brands for his drum equipment. He uses Zildjian cymbals, Ludwig drums, and Vic Firth sticks, mallets, and beaters. He also uses Evans drumheads.
