Michael Smith is a British musician, arranger, musical director, music producer and composer.

He's been part of Blur's touring band since 1994, as keyboard player and musical director.[1]

Early life

Smith grew up in Bridport, Dorset and cites his music teacher Rex Trevett as the reason he took up music.[1]

He obtained a 1st Class Degree in Jazz and Contemporary Music at the City of Leeds Leeds College of Music and a Post Graduate Degree in Jazz and Rock at Guildhall School of Music and Drama.[1]

Music career

Touring Musician

Smith gained experience as a studio musician, playing and touring with The Brand New Heavies[2] and Jamiroquai.[3] In 2015 he was part of PJ Harvey's live music installation at Somerset House recording her album The Hope Six Demolition Project.[4]

Blur

Smith was originally hired as a saxophonist when Blur toured with a brass section. After a hiatus he returned to Blur for the Think Tank (Blur album) which he played saxophone on, and has a writing credit for the track Jets. He joined the album tour as musical director and keyboardist and has remained in this role ever since.[1]

Gorillaz

Smith is the keyboard player and musical director of the Gorillaz live band.[1] He is the only other constant live member since the band's debut, alongside co-founder and singer Damon Albarn.

Film Score Arranger and Composer

Alongside Damon Albarn, Smith co-composed and arranged the score for The Kid Who Would Be King as well as the award-winning Broken (2012 film) starring Tim Roth and Cillian Murphy.

Smith won a Royal Television Society regional award in 2013 for Best Music for his score to 8 Minutes Idle.[5] He worked with Christoph Bauschinger to score The Exchange (2021 film).

Documentary film composing includes ‘Last Stop Coney Island: The Life and Photography of Harold Feinstein’, ‘Madeleine – One Year On’, and ‘Betrayal’ (Scott Calonico 2019 Tribeca Film Festival).

Smith was also a co-music producer for Aardman’s 2018 animated feature A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon.[6]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "Mike Smith - Gorillaz, Blur, The Good, The Bad & The Queen". StageLeft (Podcast). 17 February 2021. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
  2. ^ Strong, Martin Charles (2002). The Great Rock Discography. The National Academies. pp. 213–214. ISBN 978-1-84195-312-0. Retrieved 30 March 2011.
  3. ^ "Mike Smith - Blur". Roland UK (Podcast). 10 August 2012. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
  4. ^ "PJ HARVEY MAKES NEW ALBUM IN A GLASS BOX FOR YOU ALL TO SEE". Huckmag. 2 April 2015. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
  5. ^ "RTS West England Awards 2013". Royal Television Society. 8 April 2016. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
  6. ^ "Michael Smith IMDb". IMDb. Retrieved 10 November 2023.

External links