Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
"An amazing band and an amazing performance." - A&R Borders
"The Lamplighters have emerged...with a style uniquely their own that reveals their appreciation of jazz traditions." - Suburban LIFE Entertainment
"It takes enthusiasm and discipline to keep this kind of free-spirited energy from completely running away with the song, and they have plenty of both." - Star News
For jazz guitartist Ron Smith of Lyons, life is a constant learing exerience. "I am studing all the time," said Smith of his musical interest. "Jazz is an ongoing learning experience. There are so many nuances with jazz, There are no limitations; you can never do it all."
Through school Smith tried his hand at various forms of guitar music including the Big Band sound and the blues of Chicago.
Smith also studied classical music with Norm Ruiz of the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago.
"I wanted to play a little classical music," Smith said simply.
Smith continued playing guitar in various styles until he decided to study with Stu Pearce. Pearce, who lived in Bellwood and has since passed, was a well-established jazz guitar in the Chicagoland area.
"Stu Pearce tuned me on to jazz guitarists like Barney Kessel, Joe Pass and George Benson," said Smith, who studied with Pearce for seven years until Pearce's death.
"I started listening to their recordings and got hooked. Before I went to Stu I was into rock & roll, but he instilled the love of jazz in me. He felt people needed to be opened up to the jazz experience."
The studying has paid off. Smith is a full-time musician and leader of Ron Smith and The Lamplighters. The jazz quartet consists of Smith on guitar, Dan Harps on bass, Tony Melnick on sax, and Anthony Smith on drums.
In addition to performing with The Lamplighters and his Chicago style blues band, The Southsiders, Smith runs his Bravura Music Enterprises through which he does private teaching of guitar and bass and works with other musical groups.
If all goes well, Smith hopes to release a new Lamplighters CD this year. But no matter what happens, Smith will keep learning.
"It is difficult to succeed in the music field," said Smith, "so I am always working to be on the cutting edge of music." - Randall G. Mielke/Suburban Citizen
Discography
Get your Lamplighter music:
Near Midnight (CD)
Shadows (Cass)
Live at The Metropolis (VHS)
Radio & TV Air play: WDCB Radio, CH. 53 PBT & CH. 38 RBTV, Chicago & SW suburbs...
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
The jazz community has opened it's doors for this wonderful, talented group. A new blood line has opened for a mixture of traditional & contemporary jazz. That new blood line holds guitarist Ron Smith and The Lamplighter's. Their recordings pay homage to the great composers of the jazz idiom.
As one of Chicagoland's Finest, swingin' jazz bands, they have played all over the city and surrounding suburbs of Chicago as well as many city's throughtout the Midwest. Some of the Club's include Fitzgerald's, The Viking, Pops for Champagne, Philanders, Hollywood Casino, Ave Ale House just to name a few. They have also played some of the finest restaurants in the city such as Allgauers, II Jacks, Finley's Grillroom, Michael's Jazz Bistro, Harry's, Erik & Me, Cress Creek Country Club, Bistro American. You may have seen them at one of over 2 dozen Borders Books & Music stores in and around this great city. Other engagements include: High Schools & College's, Fests, Sporting Events, Weddings, Fund Raisers, Private Party, Holiday events & Retirement Parties.
They have promoted themselves using print media, via; ads, band features & weekly club listing. 'The Lamplighters' have been featured on RBTV & PBT television as well as Air play and ticket giveaways on WDCB Radio.
The Lamplighter's hope you enjoy this EPK (Electronic Press Kit) and look forward to showing you what they do live, and letting you see why they are a hit every time.
Links
