Andrea Smith
Encyclopedia
Andrea Smith born and raised in Kamloops and Shuswap
regions of British Columbia
. Smith now calls Nanaimo B.C., her home. Music has always been a part of Smith's life. She was formally trained in piano from the age of five and later played the flute, alto sax, and guitar.
Smith started to write and compose her own material and perform in the folk rock and country style. With influences from Santana
to John Coltrane
, Eric Clapton
to Ella Fitzgerald
and vocal stylings that are reminiscent of Rikki Lee and Norah Jones
, Bonnie Raitt
and Sheryl Crow
.
In June 2001, Smith was nominated for the Yamaha Award of Excellence at the B.C. Festival of the Arts. In June 2005, Andrea took home first place in the Shuswap Lake International Writers Festival Songwriting Competition.
Upon returning from performances in Europe, this Smith was nominated for five 2007 Vancouver Island Music Awards and was awarded the 2007 Female Songwriter of the Year. Smith is gaining international interest and recognition, not only for her songwriting but for her skillful rendering of her material in performance.
Her 2006 release Sweet Embrace features players Miles Black, Pat Coleman, Pat Steward, Phil Dwyer
, Ken Lister, Dave Gogo, Todd Sacerty and Rick Salt.
Smith is signed to Root Cellar Records, a based independent folk and roots music label. Through Root Cellar Records, she has national distribution and recently secured distribution in Germany and Japan.
Shuswap Country
The Shuswap Country, or simply "the Shuswap" is a term used in the Canadian province of British Columbia to refer to the environs of Shuswap Lake. The upper reaches of the Shuswap basin, southeast of Shuswap Lake and northeast of the Okanagan, are generally considered to be part of Okanagan or of...
regions of British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
. Smith now calls Nanaimo B.C., her home. Music has always been a part of Smith's life. She was formally trained in piano from the age of five and later played the flute, alto sax, and guitar.
Smith started to write and compose her own material and perform in the folk rock and country style. With influences from Santana
Santana (band)
Santana is a rock band based around guitarist Carlos Santana and founded in the late 1960s. It first came to public attention after their performing the song "Soul Sacrifice" at the Woodstock Festival in 1969, when their Latin rock provided a contrast to other acts on the bill...
to John Coltrane
John Coltrane
John William Coltrane was an American jazz saxophonist and composer. Working in the bebop and hard bop idioms early in his career, Coltrane helped pioneer the use of modes in jazz and later was at the forefront of free jazz...
, Eric Clapton
Eric Clapton
Eric Patrick Clapton, CBE, is an English guitarist and singer-songwriter. Clapton is the only three-time inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: once as a solo artist, and separately as a member of The Yardbirds and Cream. Clapton has been referred to as one of the most important and...
to Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Jane Fitzgerald , also known as the "First Lady of Song" and "Lady Ella," was an American jazz and song vocalist...
and vocal stylings that are reminiscent of Rikki Lee and Norah Jones
Norah Jones
Norah Jones is an American singer-songwriter and occasional actress.In 2002, she launched her solo music career with the release of the commercially successful and critically acclaimed album Come Away With Me, which was certified a diamond album in 2002, selling over 20 million copies...
, Bonnie Raitt
Bonnie Raitt
Bonnie Lynn Raitt is an American blues singer-songwriter and a renowned slide guitar player. During the 1970s, Raitt released a series of acclaimed roots-influenced albums which incorporated elements of blues, rock, folk and country, but she is perhaps best known for her more commercially...
and Sheryl Crow
Sheryl Crow
Sheryl Suzanne Crow is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, musician, and actress. Her music incorporates elements of rock, folk, hip hop, country and pop...
.
In June 2001, Smith was nominated for the Yamaha Award of Excellence at the B.C. Festival of the Arts. In June 2005, Andrea took home first place in the Shuswap Lake International Writers Festival Songwriting Competition.
Upon returning from performances in Europe, this Smith was nominated for five 2007 Vancouver Island Music Awards and was awarded the 2007 Female Songwriter of the Year. Smith is gaining international interest and recognition, not only for her songwriting but for her skillful rendering of her material in performance.
Her 2006 release Sweet Embrace features players Miles Black, Pat Coleman, Pat Steward, Phil Dwyer
Phil Dwyer (musician)
Phil Dwyer is a jazz saxophonist, pianist, composer, producer and teacher who, after 15 years in Toronto, now resides on Vancouver Island. Dwyer has been nominated for Juno Awards 4 times and won Best Mainstream Jazz Album in 1994....
, Ken Lister, Dave Gogo, Todd Sacerty and Rick Salt.
Smith is signed to Root Cellar Records, a based independent folk and roots music label. Through Root Cellar Records, she has national distribution and recently secured distribution in Germany and Japan.