Born
in Germany and raised in California, Reginald Smith Jr. first picked up
the saxophone at the age of twelve. At age 13 he performed his first
solo, 'Amazing Grace,' at Greater Community Church, foreshadowing his
upcoming experience as a gospel artist. At age 15, his family relocated
to Mississippi where Reginald performed along side Vinard Johnson and
Twinkie Clark & the Clark Sisters. It was his biggest performance
yet with 44,000 in attendance. Before graduating highschool, Reginald
had the privilege of playing for Congressman Johny Isaccson. This
opportunity led him to play for Wally “Famous” Amos which officially
marked the beginning of Reginald’s professional career as a musician.
After graduating high school, Reginald attended Alabama A&M University, where he majored in music education and led the saxophone section in the school’s marching band. During this time, Reggie joined the group, “Remedy”, a neo-soul group who went on to perform with the ‘Yin Yang Twins’, ‘Silk’, and many other pop artist at that time.
Four years later, Reginald met Steve ‘Coolbone’ Johnson and began touring Eastern Europe and South American jazz festivals with Johnson’s band, ‘Coolbone Brass Band’. Upon arriving back in the states, Reginald went to live with his family Kentucky to reconnect with his southern influences. There he began performing with a smooth rock/ funk and smooth jazz band, 'The City'. After opening up for Trombone Shorty, Reginald was inspired to move to New Orleans, Louisiana where currently lives.
Today Reginald aspires to be a household name as one of the saxophone greats, changing the lives of others through his music. Today he plays with the #1 Zydeco Band, “Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers”. He also wrote, composed, and engineerd his first original album 'Elephant Shoes.'
After graduating high school, Reginald attended Alabama A&M University, where he majored in music education and led the saxophone section in the school’s marching band. During this time, Reggie joined the group, “Remedy”, a neo-soul group who went on to perform with the ‘Yin Yang Twins’, ‘Silk’, and many other pop artist at that time.
Four years later, Reginald met Steve ‘Coolbone’ Johnson and began touring Eastern Europe and South American jazz festivals with Johnson’s band, ‘Coolbone Brass Band’. Upon arriving back in the states, Reginald went to live with his family Kentucky to reconnect with his southern influences. There he began performing with a smooth rock/ funk and smooth jazz band, 'The City'. After opening up for Trombone Shorty, Reginald was inspired to move to New Orleans, Louisiana where currently lives.
Today Reginald aspires to be a household name as one of the saxophone greats, changing the lives of others through his music. Today he plays with the #1 Zydeco Band, “Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers”. He also wrote, composed, and engineerd his first original album 'Elephant Shoes.'
