How does playing music make you feel, Johnathan Smith?

"Oh wow...happy, calm, in control. It's like I get in a mode and when I'm in it, I'm in it. Like, I feel like there's nothing I can't play in that moment...."

Johnathan Maurice Smith, born in East Chicago, Indiana, on September 29, 1988, began his musical career at the age of 4 years old when he became the drummer at his mother...
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How does playing music make you feel, Johnathan Smith?

"Oh wow...happy, calm, in control. It's like I get in a mode and when I'm in it, I'm in it. Like, I feel like there's nothing I can't play in that moment...."

Johnathan Maurice Smith, born in East Chicago, Indiana, on September 29, 1988, began his musical career at the age of 4 years old when he became the drummer at his mother's church. When he encountered the keyboard at the age of 10 years old, it became his instant refuge and perfect outlet. While he never completely let go of his first love of playing the drums, he began to show the workings of a musical prodigy with keys, developing skills in playing not just the keyboard, but the organ and piano as well. Influenced by artists like Parris Bowens, Robert Glasper, Anita Baker, and Ben Tankard, Smith began to perfect the tasteful and energetic playing style that his fans have come to know and love.

Johnathan's musical career began to take flight after his move to Charleston, West Virginia, in 2003. He began to take positions as keyboard player in local churches and joined with the band Inspiration. In 2007, Smith went on a 10 day tour to Austria as the piano player for West Virginia State University's jazz ensemble. Upon returning from Austria, Smith and other members of the jazz ensemble formed the band The Rick Perdue Band. Smith took the opportunity in 2010 to be the keyboard player and assistant musical director for an American Idol Tour in Japan for seasons 5 -9 finalists. Smith’s tenure in WV also included serving as musical director at Temple of Faith Ministries in Cross Lanes, WV, First Baptist Church of Charleston, WV, and for local cover bands GrooveHeavy and Hybrid Soul Project.

Johnathan hit the ground running on the music scene when he arrived in Nashville, Tennessee, in July 2017. He has worked as a session musician and played with local acts Sam McCrary and the Mix and The Grant Garland Band. He also serves as keyboardist/organist at Judah Temple of Praise Nashville and is a keyboard player/background vocalist for the Wilson Brothers Band.

Johnathan Smith is currently a full-time musician residing in Nashville, TN, and has been working tirelessly at perfecting his craft, performing on stages with artists and musicians such as Johnathan Dunn, Twinkie Clark, Bishop Paul S. Morton Sr., J.J. Hairston, Michelle Prather, Tasha Page-Lockhart, Lawrence Flowers, Bob Thompson and Tasha D'Nae. Smith is currently working on a solo project wi
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