Justin Smith Hammond B-3, Clavinet, Electric Piano
Justin (August 2010)
Born in Sioux Falls, SD. Started playing music ever since i knew of my existence. My introduction to music was listening to my grandpa's big band and a lot of jazz standards at the lake house. Began playing drums in church in 3rd grade, then moved on to piano, tenor saxophone, and upright bass in 4th grade. My major influences were the people i was around all the time, my grandparents and my parents always had a smorgasbord of hammond organs, leslie's, amps, guitars, piano's, and horns that i would be busy playing with whenever i found the time. I moved to Bellingham after i was done with my bachelors degree at USD only to bump into Steven O Blair at a 10,000 Lakes music festival talking music only to be playing music with him and the rest of the month later. My motivation is listening to all the musicians i am obsessed with (Jimmy McGriff, Joe Doria, Delvon Lamarr Dumas, Nathan Spicer, Andreas Hellkvist, Billy Martin, Melvin Sparks, Bill Stewart, Richard "Groove" Holmes, Rusty Bryant, Tony Monico, Pat Bianchi, Jack McDuff) and knowing that you have to put major work in if you are ever to be able to fluently understand the international language of music like them. I also thoroughly love music and fill everyday with it however I can.