Bass Soloist award

Jonathan Smith wins "Outstanding Musician Award" in Jazz Band Competition.

On Friday evening of March 2, 2001; 8 area junior high school jazz bands held a competition at Quakertown High School. Awards were given out for best sections and best soloists. Jonathan Smith (son of Ken & Claudia Smith), second year band member of the Pennridge Central Middle School Jazz Band, was finally asked to do a solo in the song "Aftershock". This was Jonathan's first solo ever, in public. The judge's, one of them a bass player, were extremely impressed with his solo and his "in the pocket" bass playing. Although it seemed that he did not win a soloist award, the final award announced was a shock to the entire audience. A "Bass Player" (Jonathan) had won the "Outstanding Musician Award" amongst 200 young musicians.

Pictured (left to right): Michael Smith (Jonathan's successor to the jazz band) shown holding one of Stanley Clarke's original Smith Basses (see below for the whole story). Eric Shea (Associate Publisher of Bass Player Magazine) shown congratulating Jonathan Smith on his outstanding achievement. Jonathan Smith displaying his award as well as his favorite personal bass, a Smith CR4M in Quilted Maple.

One of Stanley Clarke's Original Smith Basses from 1979 / '80, serial # 011. This bass showed up at our door unannounced and tagged: Rory Bennett. Rory is a well known professional bass player as well as an award winning producer in both R&B, Rap and Gospel Music. Already owning several Smith Basses, Rory convinced Stanley to part with one of his older Smith Basses. Rory sent the bass in for minor restoration work to bring it back up to factory specs. Ken will most likely do most of the work on this particular bass since he is the only one familiar with these models from the first batch of Smith Basses produced.

***Look for Stanley, Rory, Jonathan and Michael as well as other fine bass players along with their bios in the upcoming Musician/Artist page.