Lucy Smith: More Bio
I grew up in Chicago. Our living room had a wall covered, floor to ceiling, with mirrored tiles that reflected what was happening outside on Racine Avenue. A console stereo (encased speakers, turntable AND an AM/FM radio) sat in the corner of the room. I was in my own kinda heaven. I spent hours listening to and singing along with Josh White, Nina Simone, James Taylor, Aretha Franklin, Trini Lopez, Mariam Makeba, Eric Carmen, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder and (yes) Barry Manilow. I’d sing and dance myself into a frenzy -- the mirrors ensuring my cool steps and the perfect positioning of my pen (or pencil) microphone. I wanted to be everyone I sang along with and go wherever they went...I still do.
Now I make my own music. I love to groove and make pretty sounds; to swing and close my eyes and listen to what’s around me. When I’m not singing, I’m an audience member…even when I’m on stage. I say…“right on!”… “awright now!” I smile and sometimes I even cry. Music is the boss of me.
I lead my own quartet…The Lucy Smith Quartet. I write poetry and music and enjoy rearranging what others have composed. I perform in and around the Chicago area: from nightclubs and neighborhood festivals to the grandest of private affairs. I encounter amazing musicians, teachers and fans – they sustain me.
PERFORMANCE
The Lucy Smith Quintet/Quartet/Trio
1992-present
Traditional and contemporary sounds.
Chicago area venues: Katerina's, HotHouse, Pete Miller's, Steppenwolf Theatre, Lee's Unleaded Blues, House of Blues (Foundation Room), Park West, Morseland, Speakeasy Supper Club, Millennium Park, Moda, Circuit, Gallery 37, Va Pensiero, HOME, Garfield Park Conservatory, South Shore Cultural Center, Chicago Cultural Center, Museum of Sciene & Industry, Bop Shop, Excalibur, Shedd Aquarium, St James Cathedral, Fairmont Hotel, Hilton Hotel, and the Adler Planetarium, Starlight Concerts, Fountain Square Arts Fest, Lakeshore Arts Festival
Portraits: Stories of Hope and Survival
2007
Park West Theatre
Music Director
Music and Memories
2007
Steppenwolf Theatre (Traffic Jam Series)
Music Director
(conversations with Koko Taylor, Tom Burrell, Laura Washington, Timuel Black and Michael Warr)
The Vagina Monologues
2004: Park West (Chicago)
2003: DuSable Museum of African History (Chicago)
Benefit productions directed by Ilesa Duncan
Singer/Actor
Zenesy (tribute band)
2003-2005
Pays homage to master composers.
Bethel Arts Center (Chicago), Chicago Park District, Cheney Mansion (Oak Park), and Leo's Den (Chicago), Lee's Unleaded Blues
Singer/Arranger
Concord Orchestra
2000-2005
Lead vocalist for ensemble with extensive repertoire; myriad special occasions and various venues in the Midwest.
Passing for Normal (aka SWAG)
1998-2004
Singer/Songwriter for 6-member jazz-fused funk band with three CD releases.
Chicago venues: HotHouse, Taste of Chicago, Chicago Cultural Center, The Note, Martyr's, Elbo Room, The Field Museum, Morseland Music Room, and Groucho's.
"The Blues"
1999
Blues singer for a theatre production at the University of Illinois at Chicago; musical director: Dr. Richard Wang. Interpretations of music from Duke Ellington to Fats Waller.
Ensemble Stop-Time
1998-1999
Lead vocalist for ensemble housed at the Center for Black Music Research (Columbia College, Chicago); music directors: Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson and T.S. Galloway. Venues: The Regal Theatre, South Shore Cultural Center, Columbia College.
"Goree Crossing"
1998
Featured vocalist for concert featuring music from Paul Carter Harrison's operetta about the Middle Passage; music director, T.S. Galloway. Venue: The Museum of Science and Industry (Chicago)
Bop Shop Vocal Jazz Jam
1997
Fronted trio and served as host for weekly vocal open mike at the Bop Shop (Chicago).
RECORDING/ARRANGING/TELEVISION/PRODUCTION
“Movin’ On” LMS (2006)
Music for Five-Year Olds, Chicago. Singer/Writer/Arranger
“The Best of Pow-Wow Wednesdays” – Blackout Records (2003)
Materville Studios, Chicago, IL. Vocalist
Producer/Performer/Host: SundaySongs with Lucy Smith (2002-2003)
Original music showcase at the Hothouse (Chicago).
“Chameleon Voice” – b.d.t. (Brian Tell – Busy Flower Productions) (2001)
Silver Tortoise Soundlab, Ann Arbor, MI. Vocalist
“Morning Edition” – National Public Radio (2001)
Washington, DC. Dramatic Reader. Appeared in two segments.
“SWAG II” – SWAG (1999)
Fatbaby Studios, Forest Park, IL. Singer/Writer/Arranger
“Arts Watch” – WTTW Ch. 11, Chicago, IL (1999)
Featured in Ensemble Stop-Time Segment
“Four More of What You Asked For” – SWAG (1998)
Fatbaby Studios, Park Forest, IL. Singer/Writer/Arranger
“Love, Put on Your Faces” – Patricia Barber (1998)
Chicago Recording Company, Chicago, IL. Appears on “Modern Cool”. Co-arranged and sang choral accompaniment.
EDUCATION
M.M., Jazz Studies (Vocal Performance). Roosevelt University, Chicago, IL.
Private study with Jennifer Shelton. Performed in combos directed by Scott Mason and Jim Gaillereto.
B.A., Music (Jazz Studies). Columbia College, Chicago, IL. Private Study with Bobbi Wilsyn. Improv with Orbert Davis. Performed in combos directed by William Russo and Orbert Davis.
Private Study with Patricia Barber, Chicago, IL.
BA, (PR & Speech). Bradley University, Peoria, IL.
Prior to full-time musicianship, I was the Associate Director at the Crossroads Fund, a public foundation that raises money to support organizations working on issues of social and economic justice in Chicago.
I've worked with and continue to work with many organizations and efforts. They include:
Affinity Community Services
Cathedral Counseling
CESO (Coalition for Education on Sexual Orientation)
Chicago Foundation for Women
Chicago Park District
Chicago Women In Trades
CARPLS (Coordinated Advice & Referral Program for Legal Services)
Crossroads Fund
Estrojam
Enterprising Kitchen
Funding Exchange
Garfield Park Conservatory
HOME Cafe
Illinois Center for Violence Prevention
Lakeshore Arts Festival
Lakeside Pride
POWER (Women’s Networking Community)
POW-WOW Inc.
Rape Victim Advocates
Saint Martin's Episcopal Church
Starlight Concert Series (Evanston, IL)