User:Vivek.karande/Ned Smith

Ned Smith , b. 1960, Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Versatile American musician and Drummer. Smith, the son and brother of a family of musicians has played in hundreds of bands, yet remains one of America's many musicians who’ve never attained critical acclaim, yet are sought after instructors and players in the country's many live and recorded music sub-cultures.

In his recent history, Spring 2006, Ned moved from San Diego, CA where he'd been working in hip-hop, jazz, funk projects, playing Jazz Mass at the Coronado Episcople Church and operating the restaurant, "Drummer's Pizza" in Clairemont. Smith resides in Seattle, WA (2006-2011). In Seattle, Smith has been playing in the Fred Radke Big Band, and with Fred’s son, HB Radke’s combos and big band. Fred Radke is the lead trumpeter and band leader for the Harry James Orchestra.

In Fall 2006, Smith started a drum school in his home in Redmond. Smith's son, who is diagnosed in the Autism spectrum and Ned's degree in clinical psychology come into play in his endeavor to reach out to students from young to old who are in the autism spectrum, or who have sensory and or proprioceptive challenges. The students chose proprioceptive and sensory engagement and growth from learning drums, karate, acting-improve, and tap dance in a partnership with actress/Black belt/dancer Robyne de Jong.

His background varies from playing with Irish IRA bands in South Boston, to playing on the road with Vegas shows, to recording heavy metal with his brother’s Hollywood band Calamity Jane, to being a Harvard Square street musician in Cambridge playing with indy-punker Pete Cassani's Velcro Peasants, to Boston musical theater either acting on stage 1940's radio hour, or drumming 'in-the-pit' (under the stage) in shows like Little Shop of Horrors.

During his most recent Boston period, 1990-2003 he graduated with honors from Tufts University with degrees in Clinical Psychology, and English with an emphasis in writing. As a musician during that time, he recorded and performed with poet and Grammy nominated multi-hit producer/songwriter Darrell Scott; Best-selling American author, adventurer, journalist, documentarian and exceptional blues harmonica player Sebastian Younger;Alt/art-rock/theater artist (Boston rock Opera) Chris Mascara --immortalized on the 'blue screen' as one of the characters in Xbox Rock Band; Jazz, blues and classical composer John Putnam's Used Blues; Composer-guitarist-producer and effects inventor Scott Dakota (The Moors, Valhalla Kittens); 20th century classical composer Dan Stearns who brings his thrash metal-jazz-punk-fusion guitar work into the world of Charles Ives, Hanns Eisler and Arnold Schoenberg. During that time Smith also acted in the movie: The Darien Gap. Ned is currently endorsed by SoulTone Cymbals, and DCCalifornia Drums