Alex H Smith
Performance
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Concerto soloist, orchestral musician, contemporary performance artist, musical theatre percussionist, jazz vibraphonist, timpanist, session musician, Latin percussionist, folk musician, improviser, drummer, marimba specialist.
(Programme note descriptions from professional performances)
Solo Performance
As a soloist, I specialise in marimba and melodic percussion.
I have studied with some of the world's greatest marimbists and percussionists while completing my masters and bachelor degrees in prestigious international schools for percussion and marimba - Royal Northern College of Music (Manchester UK) and Koninklijke Conservatorium van Antwerpen
My personal musical interests are very varied, from contemporary classical music, to jazz, to baroque arrangements. Above all, I aim to expand the voice of the marimba; finding new avenues to explore (both technically and stylistically) through collaborating with composers, interdisciplinary artists, and other musicians.
I have had the honour of performing internationally as a soloist in a variety of genres and contexts. Recent highlights include:
- Performing the world premier of Ludwig Albert's 'Permafrost' Concerto for solo marimba and percussion quartet.
- Frequent collaborative performances with spoken word artist Sesa
- Appearing as a soloist in Shanghai, Beijing, Tianjin and Wuhan, during a concert hall tour with the RNCM percussion sextet.
My favourite way of working is collaboration. The sharing of experiences, perspectives and tastes always leads to unexpected places and very enjoyable performances.
My experience as an ensemble musician ranges from more 'traditional' formations, such as classical chamber ensembles, to experimental contemporary and stylistic fusion groups.
My present work with the Cusk Collective, Sesa and Maisha are perfect examples of the latter (click the links to read a short blog post about each project).
Some highlights of my career as a chamber/ensemble musician to date include:
- Concert hall tour of China with the RNCM Percussion Sextet,
- Marimba duo and voice performances in Novi Sad (Serbia) for the European City of Culture 2022
- Performances with the Melia Duo (percussion and sax) in Porto as part of the Eurosax festival
- Performing chamber works by Harrison Birtwistle, Tansy Davies and Mark Anthony Turnage at the Wigmore Hall (London) under the direction of the composers themselves.
Small ensemble Performance
Orchestral and large ensemble
Performance
I began my musical career as a brass band percussionist (in the typical British tradition). My first professional role as a musician was as Principle Tuned Percussionist with the world champion; Black Dyke Brass Band.
Following my bachelor studies in Orchestral Percussion and Timpani from the Royal Northern College of Music (Manchester, UK), I worked for several years as a freelance orchestral percussionist in the UK and Europe. I performed regularly with the Piccadilly Symphony Orchestra and the Northern Film Orchestra, and I appeared as a guest player with many others, including;
- Buxton Opera Festival orchestra
- Jersey Chamber Orchestra
- Scarborough Spa Orchestra
- Montepulciano Festival symphony & chamber orchestras
- Szene 12 opera orchestra (Dresden)
Some career highlights include:
- Giving the UK Premiere of Krzysztof Penderecki Penderecki's 'Seven Gates of Jerusalem' symphony, under the baton of the composer himself.
- Performing in the Montepulicano summer festival orchestras, premiering a new opera by Stefano Taglietti and Carlo Pasquini alongside a 3 week programme of symphony concerts.
- Performing with the Backbeat Percussion ensemble across the UK for performances of Carmina Burana (for massed choirs, 2 pianos and orchestral percussion section)
