Ches Smith
Ches Smith ( * in San Diego ) is an American drummer, composer and band leader in the field of rock music, jazz and improvised music.
Life and work
Smith grew up in Sacramento and began his musical career initially in the punk and metal scene, before he experimented with jazz and free improvisation music. He studied philosophy at the University of Oregon and went in 1995 in the San Francisco Bay Area. After lessons with Peter Magadini he was accepted into the graduate Programn of Mills College in Oakland; where he studied percussion, improvisation and composition with William Winant, Fred Frith, Pauline Oliveros and Alvin Curran. In this period was co-founder of the formations Theory of Ruin ( with Alex Newport ) and Good for Cows ( with Devin Hoff ).
Throughout his career, Smith worked among others with Tim Berne, Ben Goldberg, Lou Harrison, Mary Halvorson, Elliott Sharp, Fred Frith, Larry Ochs, Mary Halvorson, Jessica Pavone, Wadada Leo Smith, John Zorn and Marc Ribot, further comprising the avant-garde and independent rock band Beat Circus, Secret Chiefs 3, Mr. Bungle and Xiu Xiu. He was also a member of Trevor Dunn's Trio - convulsant. In 2012, he appeared with his group thesis Arches, which includes next Halverson, Andrea Parkins, Tim Berne and Tony Malaby and allegedly experimenting " at the interface of rock and jazz ," at the jazz festival Willisau. Smith is also solo concerts with the program Ches Smith's Cong for Brum, which he presented in Mannheim 2011.
Disco Graphical Notes
- Darren Johnston / Fred Frith / Devin Hoff / Larry Ochs / Ches Smith - Reasons for Moving ( Not Two Records, 2007)
- Mary Halvorson: Dragon 's Head ( Firehouse 12, 2008)
- Mary Halvorson, Jessica Pavone, Devin Hoff, Ches Smith - Calling All Portraits ( skycap, 2008)
- Ches Smith & These Arches - Finally Out of My Hands ( Skirl Records, 2010)
- Psycho Predictions (88 Records, 2012)
- Noise to Men (2012 )
- Hammered ( Clean Feed ), with Mary Halvorson, Tim Berne, Tony Malaby, Andrea Parkins