Saxophonist Walter Smith III has been appointed associate professor of jazz studies in the Jacobs School of Music pending the approval of the IU Board of Trustees, the University announced May 31.
Smith is already a well known performer, composer and educator, according to a release. He recently released his fourth album, “Still Casual,” which became a top-10 best seller on iTunes.
“We are very excited to have Walter join the jazz faculty at the Jacobs School,” said Tom Walsh, chair of the Jacobs Jazz Studies Department, according to the release. “Walter is a deep musician who has the heart of a teacher. He is very active on the international scene, performing and recording with some of the most gifted young players in jazz, and we look forward to the new perspective he will bring to jazz studies at IU.”
Smith has been a member of several recording and touring groups, such as the Roy Haynes Fountain of Youth Band, Terence Blanchard Quintet, the Sean Jones Quintet and more, according to the release.
He is currently part of the Ambrose Akinmusire Quintet and Eric Harland’s Voyager.
While he has performed at famed venues like Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center, Smith also traveled to perform at many international festivals.
He’s appeared on stage, or on recordings, with pop artists Eric Reed, Destiny’s Child and Dee Dee Bridgewater, among others.
Smith has been on more than 100 recordings worldwide.
“Those who have had the pleasure of meeting Walter Smith have been moved by his musicianship, inspired by his teaching and impressed by his connection to the profession and his vision for its future,” Jacobs Dean Gwyn Richards said in the release.
A native of Houston, Texas, Smith currently teaches in Los Angeles.
The musician received his music education degree from Berklee College of Music, his master’s from the Manhattan School of Music and his Graduate Certificate in Performance from the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz.
“The opportunity to join this world-class faculty is the chance of a lifetime,” Smith said in the release. “I’m looking forward to continuing and building in David Baker’s legacy with the Jazz Studies program at Indiana University and am eager to see what the future holds.”
Grace Palmieri
