Walt Smith – came to prominence in the mid 70’s as the jazz clarinettist with Mike Hart’s New Society Syncopators in Edinburgh. Known over the years for his “animated, intense playing” today Walt leads the Storyville All Stars as well as his Django Reinhardt inspired group Havana Swing. Walt has also featured with the Dundee based East Coast Jazzmen, the Milenburg band based in Fife, the Scottish  showband Spatz and Co., as well as many small jazz groups.

Walt highlights his involvement with Havana Swing as being the closest he has ever been to emulating the swing groups that formed his early listening : Benny Goodman quartet, Artie Shaw’s Gramercy Five, Tommy Dorsey’s Clambake Seven etc. The ability to solo in front of talented musicians that are both able to provide competent timing and accurate chord patterns is a joy.

Apart from jazz festivals Walt spends part of his holidays attending the Jazz Summer School and professional jazz performer courses at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow.