Walter Smith III in Chicago

Walter Smith III is an American tenor saxophonist and composer, born in Houston in 1980, whose music draws on contemporary jazz and post-bop. His work as a leader includes the In Common album series and Return to Casual, while his discography also includes recordings with trumpeters Terence Blanchard and Ambrose Akinmusire. Walter Smith III toured as a member of Terence Blanchard’s ensemble before performing extensively in Ambrose Akinmusire’s quartet. His engagements as a bandleader have included appearances by his own small groups at the Village Vanguard in New York.