In the jazz idiom Erik has provided the groove for among others Frank Gambale, Bobby Shew, Andy Sheppard, Eddie Daniels, Niels Landgren, Bart Van Lier, Phil Woods, Putte Wickman, Ed Palermo, Django Bates, Bob Mintzer, Hector Bingert, DeeDee Bridgewater and Gerald Wilson.

Erik is a pioneer doing clinics and is known for his powerful and virtuosic style of soloing. He is the first Norwegian drummer to tour extensively in support of his endorsing companies to inspire and teach. He is a long time endorser of Yamaha Drums , Pro Mark Drumsticks , Evans Drumheads and most recently Istanbul Mehmet Cymbals.

In 2003 he appeared at the NAMM Yamaha Groove Night and also held a clinic at the prestigious PASIC convention in Nashville in 2004, both a first for a Scandinavian drummer. Erik has also done duo clinic tours with Yamaha colleagues John "JR" Robinson and Akira Jimbo.

"A Clinic with Erik Smith is worth its weight in gold" - Sound1 Magazine / Norway

Erik leads his own bands; the "Erik Smith Trio" and a 9 piece Funk/R&B band "Smiths Venner"(Smith's Friends) featuring first call session players of Norway. He has also made appearances with his own big band paying tribute to Buddy Rich.

Erik teaches privately in Oslo when his schedule permits and also has concepts available for big bands, drumming masterclasses and lectures for schools, universities and private firms.
He is a recipient of the Spellemanns prize, Norway's "Grammy" and has his own regular column on drumming in Norway's leading music magazine, Musikkpraksis.

You can get in touch with him here on myspace or through email: esmith@online.no

ERIK HAS PERFORMED WITH THE FOLLOWING ARTISTS:

JAZZ / FUSION

POP / ROCK / ENTERTAINMENT

DRUMMERS