Performance Spotlight: Steve Smith

Don't miss the 2012 CD+DVD release from Steve Smith & Vital Information, entitled "Live! One Great Night". This release captures Vital Information in their natural habitat: A packed club with an audience of music lovers and the band in high gear, pulling out all the stops for the entire set. Check it out and see why Vital Information has been hailed as "one of improvised music's best-kept secrets". For more information, visit:

[Procyon]

As a metal head and a drummer, this literally changed my way to approach to drums and inspired me deeply.

[marshall]

RIP VIC FIRTH.
I came here when I heard the very sad news- the opening section is a beautiful tribute to the man.
Beautiful sounding drums, flawless french timpani grip.

[CamerOneiric]

His snare chops and flow from rudiment to rudiment is so seamless and dynamically fluid.

[unclerhombus]

What an animal. Such a musical solo, executed with flawless technique.

[ericmetzger]

How does he make the drums sound so good with those Remo Black Dots?! I'm amazed. Truly one of the greatest drummers of all time.

[joesantamaria]

I love the way he smiles broadly when he gets a riff he’s been practicing right. He nails it, then smiles.

[alexandremello]

One of the most technical drummers ever. And his respect for jazz and tradition is beautiful and inspirational.

[michaelmaier]

Steve Smith just exudes musicality. I don't know any drummer that demonstrates such smoothosity (yes, I make up words).

[drumstudio]

great tony' s reminiscences on the intro and on the heads...great solo!

[santafejboy]

Steve Smith is the greatest living drummer today - Flawless technique and great style!

[adan]

The groove he plays at 7:05 along with the rest of them is one of the main reasons advanced jazz is probably the hardest style of music to play (well) on drums in terms of skill. It takes so much time and effort along with hours upon hours of practice. Literally all four ligaments can be doing something completely different and in various time signatures simultaneously. I have so much respect for Steve Smith that guy is simply a master at what he does!

[rhythmista]

I simply love loves when he just  changes rhythms and goes into the shuffle.. superb..

[blanno]

Steve Smith... Now that's huge... Two words easy to say, almost impossible to be that much awesome in drums!!!

One of the best from all time!! I can get enough of this video!!

[wilsinhobatera]

This is the most beautiful one man drum solo I've ever heard. This is unique, My english is poor, I can't quite explain my tought on this act. It's just sublime. Stuff like this and "Two for one" from the Vital Tech Tones album are rare to find, and absolutly amazing to listen to.

[MusicWorker]

Dear Steve... I love you, I started watching you here in Russia many ears ago - when I was a kid - and now I've noticed that we're all get old together... health to you!! you the gratest drummer in the world!

[ricmmatias]

MAGESTIC! One of the few that holds you for 10min without making you wish they never had a snare in the first place!

[SixTenVisuals]

Steve has always been a excellent technical hitter with nice tom grooves that I've never heard anybody else do. Always a fan of his.

[tdrum]

You can see how much of an influence Tony was to Steve here. What a great solo and performance!

[pawelmorrison]

Wow. I think i`ve just discovered a new meaning of "tastefull playing"

[Taikomaniac]

Luv Steve's posture, grace and elegance of his strokes in his playing. The height of his Moeller and shoulder release is great. The mirror IS THE BEST FRIEND of any drummmer getting the greats technique down right