Hamish Smith is a young Kiwi jazz bassist who’s now firmly ensconced in the New York jazz scene.
Before heading off to the Big Apple, Hamish won the New Zealand Improvisation Contest three years in a row, and while he was still at high school he received awards for Most Outstanding Bassist, and Best Overall Musician at the National Youth Jazz Competition.
In New York, Hamish has been mentored by some of the world’s top jazz artists. In his first year at the Manhattan School of Music, he was recruited by fifteen-time Grammy award winner Paquito D’Rivera to play in his quintet.
Hamish has recently published an e-book, Notes on the Move, which is designed to give practical advice to young jazz musicians wanting to go to the States.
David Morriss caught up with Hamish Smith to talk about the new book, and his own path to New York.
Watch Hamish performing with Paquito D'Rivera