BJ Smith

BJ Smith’s soulful delivery and musical talents have taken him all across the globe performing concerts, playing corporate events, movie premieres, the Cannes Film Festival, and even performing for President Bill Clinton himself. He’s been featured on over 20 national albums, performed on Jay Leno, Saturday Night Live, David Letterman, as well as the MTV Awards, and BET Awards. Now BJ Smith is stepping out from behind the shadows and into the spotlight with his most personal and intimate collection of songs to date on his debut album “Real Life Issues”. BJ Smith’s diverse musical abilities were discovered in his early years but more recently discovered by female vocal quartet En Vogue, who enlisted him as a member of their touring band. From there, Smith began working with some of the best vocal talents in the music business like Tony Braxton. After touring relentlessly, Smith’s musical talents caught the attention of legendary “Super Freak” himself Rick James, who recruited him to be a touring member of the Stone City Band before his untimely death. On his debut album, Smith offers up a warm, smooth, sophisticated take on modern day soul that recalls classic soul singers like Al Green and Marvin Gaye, mixed with the powerful R&B; of Sade. Smith’s versatility, diversity and strengths as a singer/songwriter shine throughout the album’s 12 tracks. “Real Life Issues” gives audiences a rich and rewarding listening experience that is enriched with a voyage of emotions. This musical event also offers added bonus extended remixes. “When I put together a song I’m constantly striving to create something that can reach deep down and touch listeners. I believe that music should be a feeling and take you on a journey, either lyrically, spiritually, psychologically, emotionally, or all of the above” says Smith. “I don’t ever want to create something that feels manufactured or emotionally contrived. Everything I do comes from the heart. When assembling this project, Smith knew he would need to enlist top notch talent that could not only match his abilities, but take things to another level. Smith immediately strategized with his producer Les Pierce. Pierce has been nominated for two Grammys and has worked with the legendary song writing pop legends Holand-Dozier-Holand. Pierce has also worked with Phil Collins, Earth Wind, & Fire and Pattie Labelle. The pair immediately recruited David Thomas, a member of the world renowned vocal group Take 6, to aid with vocal arrangements. Take 6 has been nominated for 21 Grammy’s and won an astonishing 10 awards throughout their career. Thomas has also worked with giants in the music industry like Quincy Jones, Stevie Wonder, Don Henley and Sting. To mix and add the polish to the project, Pierce & Thomas enlisted the help of legendary mixer/producer/engineer Tony Shepard, who has worked with a long list of Grammy award wining artists that include Faith Hill, Lionel Ritchie, and Whitney Houston. To execute his musical vision from the conception, BJ Smith enlisted legendary keyboardist Alex Alessandroni (Christina Aguilera, Ruben Studdard, Pink). Smith also added Roman Johnson to the group, who has tickled the ivory for The Gap Band, The Isley Brothers, En Vogue, Toni Braxton, Elton John, Paul McCartney, John Mayer and Stevie Wonder. Smith’s slamming rhythm section is held down by drummer Raymond Calhoun (The Gap Band, Ice Cube & Tito Jackson), and bassist Patrice Jones (George Clinton, Outkast), while guitarist Tommy Organ (Usher, Beyonce, Michael Jackson) ties it all together. For this project guitarists Kyle Bolden (Stevie Wonder, Musiq Soulchild & Yolanda Adams) and Basil Fung (Alanis Morissette, Janet Jackson, Reggae legend Joe Higgs) laid down some additional fretwork. “With this album I wanted to capture the essence of lust, love & romance on tape. We wanted to convey the uncertainty of heartbreak coupled with the overwhelming tangent of faith, hope, and unconditional love that caries us through hard times,” Smith closes. “Those are the things that allow us to grow stronger and transition through the often bumpy roads of life. I really just want the songs to be able to help listeners deal with ‘Real Life Issues’.”