Biography

Gary Smulyan (b. 1956) grew up on Long Island, and began performing with jazz greats like Chet Baker, Lee Konitz, and Ray Nance while still in high school. After finishing his education at SUNY Potsdam and Hofstra University, Smulyan joined Woody Herman’s Young Thundering Herd, a collection of rising jazz stars that included saxophonist Joe Lovano and drummer John Riley. After moving to New York City in 1980, Smulyan found work with the Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra. During this time, he also worked with the Mingus Big Band and the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra. Outside of his big band work, Gary Smulyan has collaborated with legends like Freddie Hubbard, Chick Corea, B.B. King, Ray Charles, and Tito Puente. He has also released over ten records as a leader, and won multiple Downbeat Critic’s and Reader’s Polls awards. Through his extensive work as a sideman, Smulyan has won six Grammy awards.