Jazz saxophonist, composer and educator Walter Smith III leads his trio in performances driven by improvisation and storytelling, all rooted in the jazz tradition. Walter’s recent release, In Common III, has been described as “boundary pushing,” and features some of the most important and talked about musicians in the world: Matt Stevens, Kris Davis, Dave Holland and Terri Lyne Carrington. In April of 2023, Smith released his debut album for Blue Note records, return to casual, to critical acclaim.

In demand as both a bandleader and sideman, Walter has toured and recorded with artists like Terence Blanchard, Herbie Hancock and Christian McBride and has appeared at major venues and festivals around the world. He’s also been a member of several legendary groups (recording and/or touring) including the Roy Haynes Fountain of Youth Band, Terence Blanchard Quintet, Eric Harland’s “Voyager,” Bill Stewart Trio, Jason Moran’s In My Mind:Monk at Town Hall, Ambrose Akinmusire Quintet, the Christian McBride “Situation,” Marquis Hill “New Gospel Revisited,” Gerald Clayton Quintet, Christian Scott group and the Sean Jones Quintet, to name a few. He’s a graduate of Berklee College of Music and the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz, and now serves as Chair of Berklee’s Woodwind Department, helping shape the next generation of jazz musicians.

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