J.C. Smith Band

Artist Information

Biography

J. C. Smith,winner of the 2012 Metro Newspapers Best Of Silicon Valley "Best Original/local Band", and 2006 Bay Area Blues Society West Coast Blues Band of the Year award winner is originally from the San Francisco Bay Area. He is an outstanding performer noted for his energy and charisma. Prior to playing guitar, he was the drummer for the Back to Back Blues Band. In 2000, he emerged from behind his drums, armed with a Gibson 335. J. C. attacks the Blues as if he is being guided by the masters like T-Bone Walker, Albert King, and Johnnie Guitar Watson. The J. C. Smith Band’s current release "Defining Cool" is by far the best recording to date. Listed for the 52nd Grammy Awards for "Best Contemporary Blues CD," it entered the Living Blues Radio Charts at #16 and was a “Pick to Click” on XM Radio. After 20 weeks on the Roots Report, the CD climbed the charts as high as #25 nationally. In 2004, Smith released “That’s What I’m Talk’n ‘Bout,” co-produced by Grammy Award Nominee Joanna Connor. This CD shows masterful songwriting, outstanding arrangements, and traditional quality. It features a host of Chicago players including Willie “Big Eyes” Smith, who worked with the Muddy Waters Band for twenty years. 2001 marked the release of Smith’s first effort "Midnight Creeper" which brought him international attention. Smith has toured throughout the United States, Eastern Europe, Mexico,South America,and Russia,to sell out crowds. Smith has work with and shared the stage with notable artist such as Hubert Sumlin, B,B, King, Buddy Guy, Buddy Miles, Son Seals Willie Bigeyes Smith, Pinetop Perkins and many more. He is also known as radio personality Johnnie Cozmik on KKUP F.M. J. C. feels that his goal in life is “To keep the Blues alive and take the message to the people.”

Instrumentation

J.C. Smith - Guitar / Vocals
Robert Green - Bass
Donnie Green - Drums
Abraham Vasquez - Sax
Todd Reid - Keybord and Organ

Discography

Defining Cool
That's What I'm Talk'n 'Bout
Midnight Creeper

Audio

• Rite On Time
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• Going Down Slow
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• Im a fool for you
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• Im a blues man
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• She walks right in
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Lyrics

• JC Smith Band

Video

JC Smith Band Mexico tour TV Spot

Photo Gallery

Press

• Check 'em out [+ Show ]
  

  Life on the road can be hard living. But take one look at J.C. Smith and you'd think the Blues was m...Life on the road can be hard living. But take one look at J.C. Smith and you'd think the Blues was made of money. Hands down the best dressed man on BSC, J.C. brought style and sophistication to the Waterfront Blues Festival in Portland, OR. Not only did he look good on stage, he had the chops to match! Check 'em out
  

• James Brown Gasp!!! [+ Show ]
  

  From the moment I saw J.C. Smith on the band stage wearing a bright yellow Oakland A's hat with a su...From the moment I saw J.C. Smith on the band stage wearing a bright yellow Oakland A's hat with a suit so snazzy that it would make James Brown gasp, I just knew I was going to like this guy. Obviously, I'm not alone.
  

• Lock up your daughter [+ Show ]
  

  Smith is very deserving of this recognition. His CDs, "The Midnight Creeper" and "That's What I'm Ta...Smith is very deserving of this recognition. His CDs, "The Midnight Creeper" and "That's What I'm Talk'n 'Bout," are solid works. He's a powerful guitarist, with a few "T-Bones" in his closet, who knows how to put on a thoroughly entertaining show. Plus, he possesses a mean howl that will make you want to - in the words of AC/DC's Bon Scott - "lock up your daughter, lock up your wife, lock up your backdoor, and run for your life."

• Mission accomplished and then some [+ Show ]
  

  Thanks to a stage show that mixes updated West Coast blues with an old-school flare, the J.C. Smith ...Thanks to a stage show that mixes updated West Coast blues with an old-school flare, the J.C. Smith Band has quickly become one of the top blues acts in the Bay Area. Mission accomplished and then some.

• San Francisco Blues Festival [+ Show ]
  

  This CD introduces Johnnie C. Smith as one of the most enthusiastic new blues talents to emerge in C...This CD introduces Johnnie C. Smith as one of the most enthusiastic new blues talents to emerge in California in years! Furthermore, he is not only one of the most personable and historically attuned blues personas I've ever encountered, but Big Johnnie C. approaches his blues with a soulful conviction I find irresistible. This is a slice of contemporary West Coast blues at its best. Go Johnnie Go!"

• Southland Blues Magazine [+ Show ]
  

  Watch out, there's a new kid in town with a friendly face, a story to tell, and a band as tough and ...Watch out, there's a new kid in town with a friendly face, a story to tell, and a band as tough and ready as a wild dog let loose in a slaughterhouse. The J.C. Smith Band just tore it up in front of a couple of thousand wildly enthusiastic fans at the Monterey Blues Festival in a riveting and inspired showcase. Smith's band's creative spirit instilled new freshness into old classics and his obvious delight in playing music instilled his original material with the fervor of a fast car plunging down a blues mountainside.The J.C. Smith Band's music will have audiences checking their soul's pulse, and finding it beating happily.

Setlist

T-bone Walker to James Brown

Basic Requirements

Calendar