Page 12 - BUZZ Magazine - Issue No. 3 - Summer 2022 | University of Rochester

FAVORITE SPACES HERB

SMITH

’91E CLASSICAL AND Smith's beloved Bach
trumpet. A few years ago,
Smith was invited to tour the
Bach factory in Indiana. He
JAZZ MUSICIAN,
arrived with an empty trumpet
TEACHER,
case just in case he found an
COMPOSER &
instrument that spoke to him.
CONDUCTOR

Smith picked up his first trumpet He did.

when he was nine years old. Today,
the Olds Ambassador rent-to-own brass The didgeridoo.
A traditional Australian
horn can be found, along with dozens instrument named for
of other trumpets, in Smith’s basement the sound it makes.
Smith found it years
home office. Adorned with many ago at an unlikely place:
Eastview Mall. To the
objects that ground, inspire, and surprise of the store’s
entertain, Smith’s favorite space is staff and customers,
Smith started playing
as dynamic as he is. it, using the same
vibrating, lip-buzzing
technique that makes
by KRISTINE KAPPEL THOMPSON the trumpet sing.
Photography by Matt Wittmeyer

TOMP-sounding, junkyard-found hubcaps Born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, Smith
S hang from the ceiling. Existential books came to Rochester to attend the Eastman
written by yogis and philosophers are tucked School of Music—and he never left. He’s been
among scores of music. Photographs and with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra
sculptures of Black musical legends like Louis (RPO) for more than 20 years and, today, is
Armstrong, Dizzy Gillespie, and Duke Ellington its third trumpet and a periodic guest
rest on nearby walls and shelves—smiling, conductor. He has also played with the Buffalo
encouraging, and inspiring the music that Smith Philharmonic many times and frequently
and his students make there. conducts for the Syracuse Symphoria.

11 | UNIVERSITY OF ROCHES TER BUZZ MA G AZINE