Steve Smith's Jazz Legacy Debuts in Fall 2006 US Tour

Over the past eight years, Steve Smith & Buddy's Buddies has been developing a unique "small big band" sound and direction, and has matured into an exhilarating and vibrant jazz quintet. 

The group has been moving away from exclusively playing music associated with Buddy Rich to playing music that is dedicated to the legacy of many great jazz drummers. 

Pianist Mark Soskin, a prolific writer and arranger, has been adding exciting original compositions and arrangements to the book, allowing the band to evolve with its own voice.

The sad and unexpected passing of Steve Marcus in September 2005 created a void that the group had to consider carefully how to fill. Where a door closes, a window opens, and Walt Weiskopf came to mind. He brought a fresh approach to the band with his virtuosic playing, writing and arranging. Walt has already been adding great contemporary charts to the band's repertoire, expanding their musical direction.

At that point it was clear that the band had outgrown its original concept, thus a new band was born -- Steve Smith's Jazz Legacy.

Steve Smith reveals, "Part of our mission will be to perform music honoring great drummers of jazz history. We have charts dedicated to Philly Joe Jones and Art Blakey and we're developing new material for each tour. We also intend to carry on the tradition of many of the drummer-led jazz bands, which is to communicate with music lovers of all generations, strive for excellence and play non-compromising, burning, straight-ahead jazz."

The lineup of Steve Smith's Jazz Legacy is Andy Fusco (Buddy Rich/Mel Lewis), alto sax; Walt Weiskopf (Buddy Rich/Steely Dan), tenor and soprano saxes; Mark Soskin (Sonny Rollins/Herbie Mann), piano; Baron Browne (Vital Information/Billy Cobham), bass; and Steve Smith (Vital Information/Journey), drums.