Jazz Guitarist, Michael-Louis Smith, born in upstate New York, began his life as a musician when he first picked up a guitar at twelve years old. Inspired by his older brother’s quest to create music, Michael would teach himself the basics and although he loved all kinds of music, it wasn’t until he heard Miles Davis that he would pursue a career in jazz. The jazz great motivated Smith to further his individual studies but it was a compilation of jazz recordings where he would find his greatest influence, Wes Montgomery. Just sixteen, Michael would spend the next four years honing his skills by taking private lessons, practicing every chance he had, and “sitting-in” at jazz sessions from Saratoga’s 9 Maple and One Caroline to New York City’s Smalls.

The self-taught musician was so eager to play that although he had not intended on pursuing a formal education, he enrolled full-time in Schenectady Community College’s Conservatory of Music just so he could play guitar in the Jazz Big Band. This afforded him the chance to train as a classical guitarist as well, adding to the versatility and skill prominent in his playing today. The renowned program fueled his passion further and before long Michael was playing all over upstate New York at famed venues such as Justin’s in Albany, Caffé Lena in Saratoga, and Yours Jazz Club in Schenectady where he started and led, for three years, a jazz jam that brought together local and touring musicians alike.

After receiving his Associates and Certificate of Music with honors at SCCC, he moved to Westchester, N.Y. in 2001 and ventured into furthering his education at Purchase Conservatory where he studied with the likes of John Abercrombie and Randy Johnston. He also worked with Todd Coolman, John Faddis, Ralph Lalamma, Hal Galper, and Jevon Jackson. He received his B.A. in Jazz Studies and completed his Masters, cum laude. All the while, Smith was carving a niche for himself by starting The Hot House Jazz Group with co-founder Diallo House on bass, Ismail Lawall on drums and, Stacey Dillard on Saxophone. The group released three successful albums, the fourth in the works. The last two albums, “Live Bait”, the most recent, are comprised of all original material, with Michael as chief composer.

Smith’s modern straight-ahead jazz sounds are very ambitious and consistent with his exceptional training, experience, and raw skill. Hot House Jazz Group went on to play many venues from the Discover Jazz Festival, the Saratoga Jazz and Blues Festival, Jazz on Jay in Schenectady, and the Southern Vermont Arts Center, to Café Creole and Merchant’s in N.Y.C. They have also been personally selected to play at countless private parties from weddings and corporate events to fundraisers at four-star resorts such as Equinox in Manchester, V.T.

Hot House Jazz Group is now based in New York City and has been playing local venues and touring. Michael has been working on new compositions for the groups fourth album, slated for release in summer 2005.