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Peter Smith: Smitty Straightens Out

By Thierry De Clemensat
April 11, 2025
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Smitty Straightens Out captivates from the very first notes, drawing the listener into a world where the composer and pianist masterfully channels his years of experience into a singular, compelling and spectacular style. One can already sense the power of its live performance, as the artist's greatest strength undoubtedly lies in the sheer effectiveness of his arrangements. Peter Smith served as Associate Music Director for two seasons of The Four on Fox, working directly with contestants alongside musical directors

Rickey Minor

bass, electric

" data-original-title="" title="">Rickey Minor and

Adam Blackstone

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Adam Blackstone. He also held this role on Duets—the hit singing competition aired on ABC—where he collaborated with

John Beasley

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">John Beasley as musical director. Over the years, Smith has worked with Kelly Clarkson, Jennifer Nettles,

Robin Thicke

" data-original-title="" title="">Robin Thicke, and

John Legend

" data-original-title="" title="">John Legend, supporting them and their contestants during rehearsals and shaping the musical arrangements for the show.

A highly sought-after arranger and musical director across multiple genres, Smith leads Ty Taylor's project, The Nouveau Mid Century Romance Songbook, which premiered at The Wallis in Los Angeles. He is also a co-producer and collaborator (alongside

Rob Perkins

" data-original-title="" title="">Rob Perkins and Taylor), as well as pianist and arranger for the album of the same name (Universal Music Group). Additionally, he co-created Too Marvelous for Words: A Celebration of Nat 'King' Cole, a show in which he performs alongside

Keith David

" data-original-title="" title="">Keith David.

As a composer, Smith strikes a delicate balance between honoring tradition and embracing modernity. The album's sound is deeply contemporary yet timeless, as it carries the narrative and poetic quality inherent to jazz pianists, weaving an intricate and evocative thread throughout the record. A seasoned presence on the jazz circuit, he has graced the stages of the Iridium and Birdland (NYC), Jazz Alley (Seattle), Yoshi's (SF), Blues Alley (DC), the Montreal Jazz Festival, Vector Arena (New Zealand), and the Melbourne Recital Centre (Australia), among many others.

On the Hollywood front, Smith is a familiar name, his compositions having resonated through numerous television series, including The Mindy Project, CSI, Bones, Arrow, BoJack Horseman, Young Sheldon, Benched, Supergirl, Growing Up Fisher, Black Lightning, Pitch, Charmed and How to Live With Your Parents. His journey is further defined by collaborations on stage and in the studio with an impressive roster of artists:

Rickey Minor

bass, electric

" data-original-title="" title="">Rickey Minor, Errol Cooney,

David Delhomme

organ, Hammond B3

" data-original-title="" title="">David Delhomme,

Roy McCurdy

drums
b.1936

" data-original-title="" title="">Roy McCurdy,

John B. Williams

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">John B. Williams,

Anthony Wilson

guitar
b.1968

" data-original-title="" title="">Anthony Wilson,

Stephon Harris

" data-original-title="" title="">Stephon Harris,

Edwin Livingston

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Edwin Livingston,

Gary Wang

bass, acoustic

" data-original-title="" title="">Gary Wang,

Stevie Wonder

vocals
b.1950

" data-original-title="" title="">Stevie Wonder, Brenna Whitaker,

Laura Mace

" data-original-title="" title="">Laura Mace

Maiya Sykes

vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">Maiya Sykes,

Gilbert Castellanos

trumpet

" data-original-title="" title="">Gilbert Castellanos,

Melissa Morgan

vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">Melissa Morgan,

Ben Harper

guitar
b.1969

" data-original-title="" title="">Ben Harper,

John Beasley

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">John Beasley,

James Torme

vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">James Torme,

Terron Brooks

vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">Terron Brooks,

John Beasley

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">John Beasley,

Melissa Morgan

vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">Melissa Morgan,

Dwight Trible

vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">Dwight Trible, Alexys Schwartz, Michael Beardon and many more. All these experiences are vividly reflected in his music, where each piece unfolds like a chapter in a novel, carefully structured with a keen sense of dramaturgy, developing its themes with utmost precision. Swagger Waggle is particularly striking. Beneath its apparent simplicity lies one of the most intricate compositions of the album. Smitty Straightens Out stands out as a future classic of the genre.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

Road Song; Smitty Straightens Out; Timing Rules The World; Tumbling down; As They Grow; Swagger Waggle; Until Next Time.

Personnel

Peter Smith

piano and vocals

Roy McCurdy

drums

Rickey Woodard

saxophone, tenor

Trevor Ware

bass, acoustic

Aaron Janik

trumpet

Album information

Title: Smitty Straightens Out | Year Released: 2025 | Record Label: Real Magic Records

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