Monday Night Jam Session: Houston Smith at the Blue Room

Houston Smith started making music before he could read. At age three, he began studying drums and percussion under instructor Leon Brady in Kansas City, Kansas. By six, he held the drum chair at his local church. At ten, he picked up the alto saxophone and joined Kansas City Youth Jazz, where he began performing professionally at 13 under the mentorship of Bobby Watson, Gerald Dunn, and Chris Burnett.

The stages came fast. Houston performed on Good Morning America, played the Kauffman Center's opening festivities, and was selected as an inaugural member of the Grammy Music Revolution Project — all before heading to Berklee College of Music, where he studied under Terence Blanchard, Walter Beasley, Bill Pierce, and Tia Fuller. Back in Kansas City, Houston performs as both a bandleader and sideman while teaching the next generation through KC Area Youth Jazz and Bird Bootcamp.

Monday Night Jam features a 45-minute set followed by an open jam session. Bring your instrument or just your ears. FREE admission.

The Blue Room, 1600 E 18th St, Kansas City, MO 64108. 7 pm – 10:30 pm.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

Get App

Host or Publisher The Blue Room