Kester Smith

Kester Smith
Smith, January 2012
Background information
Born	Granada
Origin	Trinidad
Died	January 15, 2024 Saint Helena, California
Genres	Jazz blues world
Occupation	Percussionist

Kester Winston "Smitty" Smith was an American percussionist. Born in Granada and raised from a young age in Trinidad, he was the drummer for the Taj Mahal Trio and collaborated with jazz, blues and world musicians.[1][2] He performed with and alongside Taj Mahal for over forty years.[3] He recorded music with Taj Mahal, Geoff Muldaur, Peter Rowan, Cedella Booker, Morgan Freeman, Ellen McIlwaine, Mary Coughlan and Pinetop Perkins.[4]

Selected discography

• Taj Mahal, Mo' Roots, Columbia Records, 1974.[5]
• Taj Mahalm Music Fuh Ya' (Musica Para Tu)
• Taj Mahal, Big Blues: Live at Ronnie Scott, Silverline Records, 1991[6]
• Taj Mahal, Mule Bone, Gramavision, 1991[7]
• Geoff Muldaur, Secret Handshake, HighTone Records, 1998[8]
• Taj Mahal, Sugar Mama Blues, Just a Memory Records, 2004[9]
• Taj Mahal, Maestro, Telarc, 2008[10]
• Taj Mahal, Swingin' Live at the Church in Tulsa, Lightning Rod Records, 2024

Death

Smith died surrounded by family, in his adopted hometown of St. Helena, California on January 15, 2024.[11]

References

1. Britt, Grant. "Taj Mahal Review - Raleigh, NC 2-18-12". Blogs. No Depression. Retrieved 6 January 2013.
2. Hayden, Mark. "Taj Mahal is tale of blues legend". Arts & Entertainment. The Durango Herald. Retrieved 6 January 2013.
3. Penn, Roberta. "Global sounds inspire Taj Mahal". News. Star News. Retrieved 6 January 2013.
4. "Kester Smith". AllMusic. Retrieved 6 January 2013.
5. "Mo' Roots". Dead Disc. Retrieved 6 January 2013.
6. "Taj Mahal - Big Blues: Live at Ronnie Scott Audio CD". CD Universe. Retrieved 6 January 2013.
7. "Taj Mahal - Mule Bone Audio CD". CD Universe. Retrieved 6 January 2013.
8. "Secret Handshake". Dead Disc. Retrieved 6 January 2013.
9. "Taj Mahal - Sugar Mama Blues Audio CD". CD Universe. Retrieved 6 January 2013.
10. "Maestro". CD Universe. Retrieved 6 January 2013.
11. "Kester "Smitty" Smith". Napa Valley Register. Napa, CA: Lee Enterprises, Inc. March 14, 2024. Retrieved March 14, 2024.