
Will Smith
Will Smith is a renewed traditional jazz trumpet player and vocalist born in New Orleans.
His relation with music began at the age of seven at the Preservation Hall, where he went daily with his sister to
listen to trumpeter John Simmons, in the same place where afterwards and for years he’s still leading his own
band, Will Smith Preservation Legacy Band. He is a regular in groups such as Harold Dejan's Olympia Brass
Band, Treme Brass Band, Doc Paulin, The New Birth Brass Band, Palmetto Bug Stompers, The Storyville
Stompers, Pinstripe Brass Band. With all of them he has toured worldwide and participated in several recordings.
Will Smith has made a name for himself in New Orleans jazz.
He grew up surrounded by the musicians who shaped the musical identity of this city, from whom he learned
and who continue to be his main source of inspiration. His style evokes great figures of the genre, such as Louis
Armstrong, Sing Miller, Sweet Emma Barret or Alvin Alcorn.
He started playing in The Fairview Baptist Church Brass Band which was led by
renowned guitarist Danny Barker and from which musicians such as Leroy
Jones, Dr Michael White and Shannon Powell emerged. Later, he started the
band named The Chosen Few with the legendary Tuba Fats.
Will Smith is releasing his album "Songs Of My Heart" on 2025.