Carlton J. Smith

http://www.youtube.com/mrcarltonjsmith 
Carlton J. Smith is a fantastic R&B/Soul entertainer and songwriter very much in the tradition of James Brown, Al Green, The Temptations, etc. He is a true expert and afficionado of the music genre and era. He has dedicated his life to composing his own music in the tradition of the great Soul/R&B legends and night after night he channels the energy and magic into a memorable performance. His magnificent stage presence and dynamic performances excite audiences all over the world from the USA, all the way to Europe and Asia. 

Carlton met James Brown quite a few times. He portrayed James Brown in Barry Levinson's feature length film Liberty Heights.
James Brown had been scheduled to perform at B.B. King’s club on New Year’s Eve 2007 but he passed away on Christmas day 2006. Carlton who had been performing at B.B. King’s twice a month for five years straight filled in for Mr. Brown and along with Chaka Khan turned in a successful performance to celebrate James Brown.

Carlton has released two CDs - "DIAGRAM OF A RELATIONSHIP", featuring all original material and "THE SKINNYBONE TREE", which is a reinterpretation of material originally written by Tom Waits - Carlton changed the direction of the material and gave it more of an R&B feel.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DaOKwpbYPU.

His upcoming CD release is called "G.U.M. (Grown Up Music)". "Grown Up Music" is Carlton's term regarding creating and making music for a certain age and demographic who may feel left out by the current trends in pop culture.

"...I sing the type of R&B and Soul that I grew up with, and I present it in a fashion that is designed to make one think of love and loyalty which as D.J. Rogers once said, "…are not for sale…".

For a preview of one of the original songs to be featured on the new CD, please go to – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2b-gzglung .

Carlton is in the final stage of writing a book entitled " A LIFETIME OF LIFE", his hilarious take on growing up with three sisters in Spanish Harlem.

He is also currently working on the creation and development of a theatrical production he's created entitled "HELLO MUSIC". "HELLO MUSIC" is a retrospective on Soul/R&B music in sight, sound and motion with live performance by Carlton J. Smith and his band. Carlton has a valuable collection of concert posters, autographs, and other such memorabilia from that era, which has inspired him to create this one of a kind production.

All in all, Carlton J. Smith is a creative soul who believes in his art and his vision.