Tommy Smith (saxophonist) - Out of The Blue

Out of The Blue

In 1993, Smith joined Scottish label Linn Records. "Reminiscence" (1993), "Misty Morning and No Time" (1994), Azure (recorded with Jon Christensen, Lars Danielsson and Kenny Wheeler in 1995), and "Beasts of Scotland" (1996) all received critical as well as audience acclaim. Writing in Playboy magazine, Neil Tesser noted of Beasts of Scotland that: “Smith’s artful writing makes the ensemble sound like a petite Philharmonic.” Reviewer Chris J Walker, in the Los Angeles Jazz magazine, remarked that

The Sound of Love followed. Recorded in New York in September 1997 with Kenny Barron (piano), Peter Washington (bass), and Billy Drummond (drums), it focused on the Duke Ellington-Billy Strayhorn songbook. The album reached number 20 in the American Gavin Jazz Chart.

Released in 1998, Gymnopedie: The Classical Side of Tommy Smith. Recorded with his regular duo partner, classical pianist Murray McLachlan, the disc featured music by Satie, Bartok, Grieg and Chick Corea, and Smith’s Sonatas No 1 "Hall of Mirrors" and No 2 "Dreaming With Open Eyes" based on Michael Tucker's book of the same title.

Returning to jazz and to New York the following year, Smith then recorded his final album for Linn, "Blue Smith", with guitarist John Scofield and his regular rhythm team, bassist James Genus and drummer Clarence Penn.