Daily Inspiration: Meet Houston Smith

Today we’d like to introduce you to Houston Smith

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I can’t really remember my life without music. At the young age of 3, after showing an interest in rhythm ( a la beating on any and everything around the house I could get my hands on), my parents decided it’d be best to expose me to formal music lessons. Soon after, I began studying drums and percussion instruments under master educator, Mr. Leon Brady at Brady Music Studio in Kansas City, KS. Given that my parents were also musically inclined, (my mother a gospel pianist, vocalist and choir director & father a gospel & contemporary bass player), I was always exposed to and immersed in various styles of music from a young age. At the age of 6, I assumed the drum chair at our local church and played weekly services regularly, eventually serving on other instruments (piano/organ/bass) as I got older and expanded my musical knowledge. All of this supporting experience happened in conjunction with my private studies & yearly Mid-America Music Association (M.A.M.A.) drum competitions through Brady Music Studio.

As time progressed, I was unknowingly introduced to the saxophone by local sax legend Darryl Terrell, however had no idea that it would soon become the defining voice of my musical endeavors. After making the connection that saxophone was essentially the same instrument as the recorder by a total stranger, my love and passion to begin exploring the instrument more seriously was ignited. Soon after, I switched my focus from private drum instruction solely, and began participating in Mr. Brady’s ‘Kansas City Youth Jazz’ program, which would prove to be the vehicle for many unforeseen musical opportunities, including working professionally around the city starting at the age of 13, while being mentored by some of the city’s most prominent musicians, including saxophonists Bobby Watson, Gerald Dunn, Chris Burnett & pianists Luqman Hamza & Pearl Thuston – Brown, among a host of others. Because of my involvement in and dedication to KC Youth Jazz, I was fortunate to be featured on ‘Good Morning America’, and perform in the opening festivities for the newly-constructed Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, also participating in it’s co-sponsored Grammy Music Revolution Project as a member of the program’s inaugural class. These opportunities opened the door for me to obtain regular gigs and performances at many of the city’s well-known restaurants and clubs, in addition to booking regular high end private engagements throughout my high school career.

I knew that there was somewhat of a ‘ceiling’ to playing regularly in KC, and wanted to continue expanding my musical knowledge and relationships beyond the city. Unwaveringly, I applied to the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA in 2015 and completed my studies as a Professional Music major with concentrations in Woodwind Performance and Music Business, as a proud member of the class of 2019. During my time at Berklee, I was fortunate to study from many musical mentors including composer & trumpeter Terence Blanchard, saxophonists Walter Beasley, Bill Pierce, Tia Fuller & bassist Lenny Stallworth among many others. After graduation, I stayed in the Boston area continuing to hone my craft through a vast range of private, public and teaching environments spanning all genres, before returning to spend more time in KC a few years ago.

The range of my experiences have afforded me a refined approach to the execution of music at one’s highest personal level. Consequently, my teaching perspective keeps me active within private instruction & masterclass settings, recurrently working with the KC AREA YOUTH JAZZ (youthjazz.us) and BIRD BOOTCAMP programs as Next Generation teaching faculty, in addition to my own performances as a bandleader and sideman for some of KC’s top talent.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
“Though the road’s been rocky, it sure feels good to me.” – Bob Marley

I came across this quote shortly after relocating to Boston, and have found it to be one of the main motivators when things become challenging or ‘rocky’. That being said, I’m not sure that anyone’s journey is totally ‘smooth’, especially those that decide or are pre-destined to pursue artistic or creative career paths. I’ve found that life’s ‘roadblocks’ or ‘challenges’ only truly present as such if you let them. Because of the vast amount of challenges I’ve encountered on my journey, I chose to count them ‘all joy’ or opportunities to learn and continue improving the person I am and aspire to be, inside and outside of the music. I’ve found, through trial and error, that seeing a challenge for ‘what it really is’ rather than ‘what it appears to be’ in the present, allows me to stay focused on the task at hand and not let any obstacle deter me from my destiny.

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season, we shall reap, if we faint not.” (Galatians 6:9)

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Music is my main pursuit, and likely what most people know me for or associate me with, although I have other creative pursuits as a writer & business professional as well. I specialize as an artist, bandleader and creative entrepreneur within the field, which encompasses much more than just playing the saxophone (which is the main thing supporters see & hear most often). I believe that any artist should strive to understand what the word ‘artist’ really encompasses, in terms of responsibility and personal development, when they take on that role, to better understand all the components that play into maintaining and advancing one’s career longterm. I’m most proud of the fact that first, I’m a genuine human being looking to serve God and others through my gifts, rather than ‘self-glorify’ or use my platform to stroke my own ego. This allows me a refined approach to dealing with negativity in any aspect, but especially the kind that can impede an artist’s career or potentially affect their own feelings of self-worth in terms of their artistic offerings or career track.

I’m proud of my ability to authentically connect with people through the power of music, understanding that it’s not necessarily ‘about me’ but really about who I can ‘reach’ or ‘help’ in some way through the music. This train of thought is interwoven through how I live and extends beyond the music or the stage into my efforts to build community, lasting support, and provide critical resources through my entrepreneurial endeavors as well. Rather than using the music as a vehicle for my own self aggrandizement, I primarily focus on how I can use and innovate upon my gifts to uplift others; the returns of that mission have continually proven rewarding for me.

I’m also proud of the fact that I’m committed to knowledge and continual learning, in all aspects of my artistry; particularly those areas that are often less thought about when sustaining one’s career as an independent artist (marketing, branding, outreach, developing supporter base etc.). I’m fortunate to have found a community of established mentors, creatives and genuine supporters who resonate with this vision and understand the mission behind my music, in addition to the notes.

The thing that sets me apart from others, is that there’s only ONE unique ‘me’ (just like any other artist), genre or style of music aside. Rather than being consumed with trying to fit a specific mold or genre category, I focus on utilizing all of my gifts, talents and skillsets to craft and propel my unique sound, compositions and vision to effect change in a unique yet collaborative way. The effort may seem daunting to some, however “in due season, we shall reap, if we faint not!”

In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
I believe that the music industry is experiencing a major shift in the way that people resonate with artists, how those artists engage their prospective supporters and the mediums each group use to discover each other. The industry has been slowly shifting for some time, due to the fact that the way we consume or are exposed to artists and their music has changed significantly. Gone are the days where the only option to hear about new artists or access new music was the local record store or neighborhood listening shop. Due to technological advances, particularly those within the past 10 years, we’ve seen a unique opportunity for artists to build genuine connections worldwide at the click of a button, by simply being themselves and offering something valuable (their gift) for prospective supporters to resonate with.

Take for instance, now 5-time Grammy winner and 2023 ‘Best New Artist’ Samara Joy, for example. Her career, before her online popularity, was fueled by an innate desire to hone her craft to the best of her ability & pay homage to the musical innovators that came before her like Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn and many more. Although not trying to ‘be like them’ in any way, her tireless dedication to refine her craft & unique sound, paired with mentorship and study from some of this music’s most essential mentors prepared her, albeit somewhat unknowingly, for unparalleled success. After sharing her gift on social media, she went viral for her inimitable talent and was afforded opportunities to catapult her career to unimaginable heights, often being referred to as the modern-day version of some of her (s)heroes. Some naysayers would see her story and attribute the success to ‘shifty trends’ or ‘fleeting virality’, however her undeniable talent invalidates those claims easily, as soon as she opens her mouth to sing.

Artists have a unique opportunity to connect with the world and share their gift, however it’s the work done ‘behind the scenes’ that most often catapults them to long-lasting and fruitful careers. Paying attention to all the ways one can build a supporter base to bolster their careers online (even without 5- time Grammy winning success) is just as important, though. There are also countless examples of ‘artist-preneurs’ who understand this concept and have thriving careers, even if you and I don’t know their names. I believe the industry will continue to shift in this way & for good reason. Although it’s easy to point out some of the downsides of the shifts too (streaming royalties etc.), highly successful artists (of past & present) tend to focus solely on what they can control & how they can continually improve and reach the masses with their gifts. This unshakeable focus is one I’m always refining as I work to continue building my career and connecting authentically through the power of my music, while taking advantage of the opportunities any new ‘industry changes’ may bring, seen or unforeseen.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/houstonmsmith
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/houstonmsmith
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/houston.smith1
• LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/houstonmsmith