Smith, who has only recently focused on his songwriting after years of playing guitar with local bands and Dunedin City Jazz Orchestra, worked with Australian-based producer Murray Burns (Misex) to release debut album Tall Stories in 2020.
The two are working together again to hone Smith’s new set of nine songs, which he plans to record at Tom Bell’s Port Chalmers Recording Studios over the summer with support from local musicians.
Now that the songs are ready for a public performance, Smith has assembled an impressive line-up of top local musicians to join him on stage for "More Tall Stories" next Thursday, December 9, from 7.30pm at Bark!, Dog With Two Tails.
The Aart Smith Band for the show will comprise Nick Cornish (saxophone), Ralph Miller (trumpet), Joyln Chia (cello), Marcel Rodeka (drums), Matt Woods (keyboard/vocals) and Smith himself (guitar/vocals).
"I’m so excited to be performing with this group of exceptional musicians — I know the songs are going to sound really lovely," Smith said.
"The band has really embraced the new songs, and we are having a lot of fun working on the arrangements with such a great selection of instruments."
The Aart Smith Band will be supported by solo musician Paul S. Allen during next Thursday’s show.
