1. BIO OF TIMOTHY GABRIEL SMITH
Timothy Smith has been playing the piano and singing since age 4. He started
playing in his fathers church at age 7 in Cambridge MA. His father would write
songs while humming bass lines around him as a young child. He would point to
a keyboard that was sitting on top of furniture everyday until one day his parents
took it and put it in front of him. At that moment a divine connection took place as
he began to play the keys. He has been playing since that moment developing
an amazing ear and piano playing abilities.
Pastor Leroy Smith, Timothy’s father would have church functions in a small
storefront building. Bass players would come and hear his bass lines and would
see no need to play with him. During his teenage age years, Timothy began
performing around the city of Cambridge, in such venues as Harvard’s Sander’s
theatre, memorial services for the Mayor of Cambridge in 2009, talent shows at
Cambridge Youth Centers and Cambridge Ringe and Latin High School.
Timothy attended Cambridge Ringe and Latin High School from 2006-2010. He
was placed in the highest-level vocal ensemble without a formal audition. Berklee
graduate Gene Kelly taught the ensemble and saw an unusual level of talent in
Timothy and mentored him along with other music teachers there. Gene Kelly
stretched Timothy’s musicianship out of his gospel tradition, which was very
uncomfortable for him. They often times bumped heads, but later became very
close when Timothy realized that he needed to be versatile as a musician.
Timothy auditioned to Berklee College of Music in 2010 and was accepted. He
drew close to Professor Dennis Montgomery 111, where his love for the
Hammond B3 organ began. He developed outstanding organ and vocal abilities
and is known as Dennis junior around the campus. He performed with the
Berklee Reverence Gospel choir under Berklee graduated Michael Bradley. The
choir shared the stage with a Gospel legend, Richard Smallwood.
Timothy has now graduated Berklee College of Music, class of 2015. He has
worked with countless churches in the Boston area, and has shared the stage
with some of gospels greats such as Doobie Powell, JJ Hairston, Professor
James Hall, and Micah Stampley. He also accompanied Gospel Artist Michelle
Brooks-Thompson at the Apollo Theatre open house in Harlem NY in 2015.
Timothy looks forward to releasing a gospel album in the near future. He desires
to tour the world, networking and sharing his gifts with people nationally.