Saxophonist Rolly Smith has long served as an in-demand musician across West Michigan, while also co-founding the avant-fusion band Space Bar. Today, he reveals the albums that have influenced him most.
A Lifetime of Musical Love and Curiosity: Rolly Smith, with Space Bar and Roberta Bradley (Photos/Chelsea Whitaker/Eric Stoike)
EDITOR’S NOTE: All musicians can trace their inspiration to key recordings that influenced their careers. Writer Ross Boissoneau today showcases music that changed the world for well-known West Michigan saxophonist Rolly Smith. Scroll down for a Spotify playlist of his picks.
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Saxophonist Rolly Smith is a familiar face, having served time in several different regional bands over the decades. He says it all stems from a love for and curiosity about music that spans the years and numerous styles.
“I went to music school (at Western Michigan University). I had a desire to be a composer and write film scores,” he says. He went on to graduate school, but left after one class. “I decided I’d had enough for a while.”
He joined the band Avatar, modeled after the jazz-rock of outfits like Chicago and Blood, Sweat and Tears. Smith calls it “a smokin’ hot band,” but after seven years with only modest success the band called it quits.
“Our last drummer was Narada Michael Walden,” Smith says. Walden went on to drum for Jeff Beck and Mahavishnu Orchestra, among others, and as a producer he helmed hit recordings for Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston and numerous others.
Smith tried his hand at teaching, but found his passion for playing didn’t translate to the classroom. Instead, it was on to working with an array of outfits, from open mic nights to trad jazz bands to show bands (“cummerbund bands” as he calls them) to jazz, fusion, even abstract free-blowing groups. He co-founded the eclectic Grand Rapids band Space Bar and is a member of the band Cosmic Knot, but doesn’t stop there, continuing to perform with, as Local Spins publisher John Sinkevics says, “EVERYBODY across West Michigan,” including Vespa and others.
“I like straight up jazz, but I want to do something more unusual,” Smith notes.
Smith performs with Space Bar on Feb. 6 at The Stray in Grand Rapids and March 20 at Speciation Cellars in Grand Rapids. He also performs with Vespa on March 19 at Horrock’s Market in Kentwood and April 15 with Vespa at SpeakEZ Lounge in Grand Rapids. You can catch him performing solo at City Built Brewing on Feb. 9 as part of Nathan Walton’s Monday Night Live. (Listen to Space Bar here.)
1. Dave Brubeck, “Time Out” (1959) – That was my first big jazz influence. Paul Desmond had a perfect sound, played in tune. It launched me into that genre. Brubeck’s music was complex and beautiful. “Take Five,” “Blue Rondo a la Turk,” they were amazing. It was complex, beautiful, but it didn’t sound tricky. They made everything sound easy. It was years before I was able to play all his stuff.
Listen: “Take Five”
Version 1.0.0
Listen: “Just One Smile”
3. John Coltrane, “My Favorite Things” (1961) – It changed my attitude about playing. He had great facility but didn’t always use it. I never tried to copy his licks but I think about the way he might think about sound and structure. I used to be into these crazy arpeggios but (now) think about improvisation and melody. Coltrane was creative and playing melodies. I try to incorporate that into my playing.
Listen: “My Favorite Things”
Currently Loving: Maddie Ashman, “Jaded / In Autumn My Heart Breaks / Seraphim” (2025) – Those three songs, she does microtoning (the use of musical intervals smaller than a semitone, i.e. a note that falls between the keys of a tuned piano; Ashman has also released a “sample pack” of microtones). So those three songs, yes. I am a fickle listener, however. This week it’s Jacob Collier.
Listen: “Jaded”
ALBUMS THAT CHANGED THE WORLD: Rolly Smith’s Playlist on Spotify
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