Erik Smith is one of Europes most respected and versatile drummers. Inspired by his father and mother´s music making, he started out playing piano and drums at the age of 3 and before he was big enough to sit behind a regular drumset, he built his own set from boxes, cans and toy cymbals. At the age of 12 he became the regular drummer with his fathers band playing a wide variety of styles.

At 14, Erik got into the clubs and studios of Norway´s capital Oslo to start his almost 30 year long professional carreer. His extensive work has involved studio sessions, countless TV shows, tours, shows and musicals as well as leading his own bands and receiving the highest honor in Norwegian music, the Spellemann award, Norways "Grammy" as part of the legendary big band "Oslo Groove Company".

Erik has worked with the majority of artists and entertainers on the Scandinavian scene as well as many well known artists such as Michael Bolton, Art Garfunkel, Neil Sedaka, Josh Groban, Donna Summer, Engelbert Humperdinck, John Miles, Boney M, Johnny Logan, Wenche Myhre, Lisa Nilsson, Samantha Fox, Carlene Carter, Al Jearrau, Randy Crawford, Frank Gambale, Bobby Shew, Andy Sheppard, Eddie Daniels, Niels Landgren, Bart Van Lier, Bill Champlin, Phil Woods, Putte Wickman, Ed Palermo, Django Bates, Bob Mintzer, Hector Bingert, DeeDee Bridgewater and Gerald Wilson.

"Erik´s time and groove is awesome and his chops have chops. A great guy and an awesome musician." - Bill Champlin

Educational

Erik has been teaching drums since the age of 15 and he is the first Scandinavian drummer to tour extensively in support of his endorsing companies to inspire and teach. Erik has done clinics, masterclasses and workshops in Scandinavia, Germany, Turkey, USA, China and South Africa to name a few.

In 2003 he appeared at the Yamaha Groove Night in Los Angeles and also held a clinic at the worlds largest and most prestigious drum and percussion event PASIC in Nashville in 2004. His clinic was so well received that he was invited back for PASIC 2008 in Austin TX sharing the bill with among others Roy Haynes, Ed Soph, Dafnis Prieto, Chad Wackerman and Steve Ferrone.

2008 also saw him perform at the Yamaha Groove All Stars concert in Frankfurt with Tom Brechtlein, Rick Marotta, Tommy Aldridge and Wolfgang Haffner.
Erik has done duo clinic tours with Yamaha colleagues John "JR" Robinson and Akira Jimbo.

In 2009 and 2010 Erik held clinics and judged in China´s first ever drum and percussion festival with 100´s of performers and contestants from all over China.

Erik teaches drum set at the Norwegian State Academy of Music and privately in Oslo when his schedule permits. He also does clinics, lectures and workshops for big bands, schools, universities and private firms. He has his own column about drums in the Norwegian music magazine Musikkpraksis.

"A Clinic with Erik Smith is worth its weight in gold" - Tunes Magazine / Norway

Signature Products

Erik is a long time endorser of Yamaha Drums, Istanbul Mehmet Cymbals, Evans Drumheads and Pro Mark Drumsticks

Yamaha launched the Erik Smith Signature Snare Drum in 2009. In less than a year over 50 drums were sold throughout Scandinavia and Europe.

The same year Istanbul Mehmet cooperated with Erik on two cymbal models, the 22" Erik Smith Swish Ride and the 15" Erik Smith Versa Hats. More Signature cymbals are in the planning.

Pro Mark produced the Erik Smith Signature Stick in 1997 and it has been a top seller ever since.

www.facebook.com/eriksmithmusic

www.myspace.com/eriksmithdrummer

www.myspace.com/smithyamahasnare

Here are Eriks two main cymbal set-ups listed from left to right if you sit behind the kit.

All Around:

15" Erik Smith Versa Hats
19" Radiant Paper Thin Crash
 8" Traditional Rock Splash
22" Mehmet 60th Anniversary Ride
19" Radiant Medium Crash
14" Murathan Hi Hat (remote on right side)
22" Erik Smith Swish Ride

Acoustic Jazz:

15" Erik Smith Versa Hats or 14" Mehmet Legend Hi Hat
20" Mehmet 60th Anniversary Ride w/2 rivets
22" Mikael Z Tribute Ride
18" Turk Flat Ride
18" Traditional Paper Thin Crash
22" Erik Smith Swish Ride