My musical journey started at the age of 10 and I started gigging and performing a range of different music regularly around the UK in my early teens. With my love for all different styles of music, I moved to London in 2015 to expand my musical language and network. From 2015-2018, I took on a Bmus (Degree) in Popular Music performance at BIMM London/London College of Music. In 2019, I started my Jazz Mmus (Masters) at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Being a performer and gigging regularly is something that I have always loved from a young age. But as of recent years, my growth and passion for teaching and sharing knowledge in music is something I have deep belief in and is a key value to me as a musician. My extensive drive and passion for music has seen me achieve:
– Scholarship for Masters at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
– Music Performance (undergrad) Degree (Bmus) 2:1
– Trinity Guildhall Drum Kit grades 1-8.
– Music and Tech A level,Music GCSE and BTEC level 2.
– Regularly Gigs throughout the UK and Overseas
– Performed at landmarks such as: The Shard, Tower Bridge, Hilton Park Lane and The Globe.
As well as venues such as; The Barbican, Under the Bridge Chelsea, Camden Roundhouse,
The 02 Academy Islington and Shepherds Bush Empire.
– Played with Motown 60’s Girls group The Velvettes at the Whitby Motown weekender.
– Played the Music of Duke Ellington with the Guildhall Jazz Orchestra at the Barbican hall. Also played for Yazz Ahmed with the Guildhall Jazz Orchestra at Milton Court Concert hall.
– Attend weekly London Jam nights including the Ronnie Scotts late show.
– Small drum studio in West London for teaching and practicing.
– Study/Studied under some of the world's top musicians and drummers. Names such as, Ralph Rolle, Ralph Salmins, James Maddren, Matt Skelton and Erik Stams
– A massive passion and love for teaching and sharing information.
– Workshop practitioner for Samba and African drumming and percussion.
– knowledge in production, studio recording and mixing/mastering. With sharing and teaching, I am able to give back to those who are wanting to learn, improve and love music. I have been fortunate to have any great opportunities and I have a passion to try and give these chances to young developing musician. As well, still being in part time education (Guildhall). Working within an established school, learning from the staff and school and supporting the development of young musicians are what attracts me to this opportunity. With my skills and experience and my passion for developing my art, I believe this is a perfect role and opportunity for me. I am driven to contributing to the school and the development of my students, as well as learning and growing in this environment. Being very musically driven, outside of my performing, teaching and practice, I have an interest in restoring old and vintage drums from the 1940’s to 1990’s. This involves taking them apart and repairing them and seeing how they work – This work has helped me with finding the right sound for recordings and session work in the studio or live. This is an interest I have developed since undertaking a Summer School (aged 14) at LIPA (Liverpool Institute of Performance Arts) where I spend time in the studio and learning other percussion, outside of standard drum performance. Outside of music I enjoy football and supporting my club, Everton.
In May 2020 i raised over £700 for Everton in the Community, by playing ‘Z-cars’ in isolation to give children music lessons who can’t afford them in the Liverpool area. I also ran the Everton in the community 5K to close the fundraiser. Video available on Youtube.
‘Callum Smith is a young man that has a deep passion for drumming….Callum’s future as a musician is a bright one. I expect great things from this young man. He is truly on the path that is solid.’
Ralph Rolle (Chic, D’angelo, Sting, Prince…) Nov 2017
