Latest news with #ScottishNationalJazzOrchestra
Times
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Times
The reign of Tommy Smith as the king of jazz is over — what now?
Tommy Smith is no longer the leader of the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra. But the saxophonist is still very much its face. Last week the musician stepped down as the band's artistic director after he was dismissed from Scotland's premier music and drama university, the Royal Conservatoire, over allegations he had a relationship with a student. Yet Smith's picture remains plastered all over the website of the publicly funded orchestra he founded 30 years ago. Its youth wing is even named after the musician. For decades, insiders say, the former teenage prodigy has been the king of Scottish jazz. His reign is now over. Some lament the loss of a genuine talent. Others last week were celebrating what they see as an opportunity for musicians to come out from under his shadow.
The Herald Scotland
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Jazz star quits orchestra after being sacked by Conservatoire
The Mail on Sunday reported that the 58-year-old was told to stay away from classes at the Glasgow institution after the allegations came to light. Confirming his dismissal, a spokesperson for RCS told The Herald last week: "RCS has robust policies in place to ensure the safety and wellbeing of students and staff.' One of the world's leading saxophonists, Smith was awarded an OBE for services to jazz in the 2019 New Year honours list. READ MORE: Leading jazz musician sacked by Royal Conservatoire of Scotland Orchestra statement after jazz star sacked from Conservatoire role Glasgow Jazz Festival 2025 wraps with packed shows A presence on the global jazz scene since his teenage years, Edinburgh-born Smith has gone on to record with definitive jazz label Blue Note and work with myriad jazz greats, including Chick Corea and Dame Cleo Laine. He established the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra in 1995 and ensured its progress until funding began in 1998. In a statement, a spokesperson for the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra said: "The Board of the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra has formally accepted Tommy Smith's resignations from the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra Board and as its Artistic Director. "We thank Tommy for his enormous contribution to Jazz - in Scotland, the UK and beyond. His work in building up the SNJO, TSYJO and the RCS Jazz Education programme has nurtured an amazing talent base of musicians and created a lasting legacy for Jazz in Scotland. "Building on this foundation, we are well-placed to deliver our planned 2025-26 programmes with interim artistic direction from Senior Orchestra members, Alumni and an extensive roster of visiting bandleaders and arrangers, while we search for his replacement."
The Herald Scotland
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Orchestra statement after jazz star sacked from Conservatoire role
RCS confirmed that the 58-year-old was dismissed following a disciplinary investigation and hearing. A spokesperson for RCS added: "RCS has robust policies in place to ensure the safety and wellbeing of students and staff.' Read more: One of the world's leading saxophonists and artistic director and founder of the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra, Smith was awarded an OBE for services to jazz in the 2019 New Year honours list. A presence on the global jazz scene since his teenage years, Edinburgh-born Smith has recorded with definitive jazz label Blue Note and worked with a myriad of jazz greats, including Chick Corea and Dame Cleo Laine. In a statement, the board of the SNJO said: "Tommy Smith OBE is the founder of the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra and a board member of the organisation. "While the board is aware of the Mail on Sunday report surrounding his removal from post by the Royal Conservatoire for Scotland (RCS), we wish it to be understood that his work with the SNJO and the TSYJO is, as Artistic Director, significantly different from his teaching position at the RCS. The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland "Moreover, as with such cases, Mr Smith is within his rights to appeal his dismissal, therefore, we will be making no further comment until any due process is completed." The Tommy Smith Youth Jazz Orchestra - the youth wing of the SNJO - is scheduled to perform on Friday as part of the Glasgow Jazz Festival. The Herald understands that Mr Smith was never going to be part of, or present, at the concert. A spokesperson for Glasgow Jazz Festival said: 'The jazz orchestra show will go ahead as planned, conducted by Pete Johnstone, giving 26 young musicians a platform to showcase their musical talents as part of the festival.'
STV News
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- STV News
Jazz professor dismissed from role at Royal Conservatoire
Leading Scottish saxophonist Tommy Smith has been sacked as a professor at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Following a disciplinary investigation and hearing by the Glasgow institute, the 58-year-old – who has been a star of jazz since his teens and founded the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra – was dismissed. Mr Smith had held the position of head of jazz at the music school for the last 16 years. The Daily Mail reported that the dismissal is related to allegations of a relationship with a female student who was over the age of 18. It was claimed that Mr Smith was told to stay away from classes at RCS after the allegations came to light. Smith was brought up in the Wester Hailes housing scheme in Edinburgh, was awarded an OBE in 2019, and holds honorary doctorates from Heriot-Watt University and the University of Edinburgh. A spokesperson for the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland said: 'Following a disciplinary investigation and hearing, Tommy Smith has been dismissed. 'RCS has robust policies in place to ensure the safety and wellbeing of students and staff.' Founded in 1847, Scotland's national conservatoire is a global leader in performing arts education, consistently ranked in the top ten of the QS World University Rankings. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
The Herald Scotland
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
SNJO issues statement after jazz star sacked from Conservatoire role
RCS confirmed that the 58-year-old was dismissed following a disciplinary investigation and hearing. A spokesperson for RCS added: "RCS has robust policies in place to ensure the safety and wellbeing of students and staff.' One of the world's leading saxophonists and artistic director and founder of the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra, Smith was awarded an OBE for services to jazz in the 2019 New Year honours list. READ MORE: Leading jazz musician sacked by Royal Conservatoire of Scotland Scottish Young Musicians Solo Performer of the Year announced A presence on the global jazz scene since his teenage years, Edinburgh-born Smith has recorded with definitive jazz label Blue Note and worked with a myriad of jazz greats, including Chick Corea and Dame Cleo Laine. In a statement, the board of the SNJO said: "Tommy Smith OBE is the founder of the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra and a board member of the organisation. "While the board is aware of the Mail on Sunday report surrounding his removal from post by the Royal Conservatoire for Scotland (RCS), we wish it to be understood that his work with the SNJO and the TSYJO is, as Artistic Director, significantly different from his teaching position at the RCS. "Moreover, as with such cases, Mr Smith is within his rights to appeal his dismissal, therefore, we will be making no further comment until any due process is completed."
