J.C. Smith was born, raised and discovered to play the blues in San Jose. However the award-winning vocalist and guitarist is one in an extended line of American blues musicians who've achieved extra success overseas than at residence. For Smith, who has performed 10 excursions and performed greater than 200 exhibits in Russia over the past decade, his Russian fame outstrips his Bay Space title recognition.
“The (Russian) individuals love the music,” he says, “they usually embrace the tradition of the blues.”
That’s the place Smith was in February, halfway by what was presupposed to be a run of 18 exhibits in 19 days, when Russian forces invaded the Ukraine. Because the state of affairs worsened, the bluesman was compelled to cancel his remaining gigs and flee again to the U.S., forsaking mates and band members who reside in Russia.
“There was some disappointment — fairly a bit,” Smith says. “However I used to be blissful I made it out.”
Months later, the circumstances nonetheless relaxation so closely on Smith’s coronary heart, he’s doing one thing to assist: an April 30 live performance at San Jose’s Tabard Theatre to assist Medical doctors With out Borders’ efforts in Ukraine.
“They're in a spot the place they may get blown up at any time, and they're serving to individuals,” Smith says of the worldwide humanitarian group. “It’s very admirable — much more guts than I've.”
In a nod to the Ukrainian flag, the present has been dubbed the “Yellow and Blues” profit and options the J.C. Smith Band — with Noel Catura on sax, Scott Porter on keys, Ray Figeroa on bass and Tim Richard on drums — as headliners. Present time is 8 p.m. and tickets are $35-$50 through tabardtheatre.org, with 100% of the ticket proceeds going to Medical doctors With out Borders’ efforts in Ukraine. Patrons should present proof of vaccination to attend.
In addition to catching Smith and firm in live performance, “Yellow and Blues” attendees may also get to see Legally Blue, Rome Yamilov, Paul Keller and Robert Berry, the South Bay music icon who says he was glad to affix Smith on the invoice.
“I used to be honored that he referred to as me,” says Berry, who is thought for his work with Hush, Ambrosia and the Greg Kihn Band. “I feel the entire world is pleased with the trouble that the Ukrainian individuals and the federal government has put forth. I’m glad to assist them.”
Smith’s newest Russian tour was full of difficulties from the beginning. Confusion over COVID-testing mandates between the 2 nations, in addition to restricted flight availability, left him stranded at LAX for much longer than anticipated. The journey from San Jose to Moscow ended up taking three days — and that’s not counting the six-hour connecting flight to Siberia.
The delay meant Smith needed to hit the bottom operating, nonetheless battling jet lag at his first gig. However regardless of his weariness, Smith was glad to be again and taking part in.
“Wherever out of the US — even Canada — they embrace the tradition,” says Smith, including that many People don’t actually perceive what goes into taking part in the blues. “They are saying, ‘Oh, you’re a fantastic jazz musician.’ I say the one time I'm taking part in jazz is when I'm hitting the unsuitable the notes.”
He performed six gigs in Siberia. “The locations have been six hours away from one another — within the snow,” he says.
Smith didn’t spend a lot time maintaining on what was brewing with the Russia-Ukraine state of affairs throughout the Siberian portion of the tour. That modified when Smith and his band, which featured all Russian musicians, received to Moscow. The bandleader knew one thing was unsuitable when he seen his keyboardist crying one morning at breakfast.
“I requested her what was unsuitable, and he or she stated, that they had simply invaded,” he remembers.
At first, Smith determined to stay it out and proceed the tour. With “all of the horrible issues happening,” he says,” we may convey some pleasure for about an hour and half in every metropolis.”
However issues quickly deteriorated to the purpose the place Smith wanted to go away instantly, earlier than an exit turned much more tough. Smith worries that this may need been his final tour of Russia and that he might by no means see these musicians in individual once more, however he cherishes the reminiscences — and people gamers treasure them, too.
“It was (a) nice expertise to play with a person who has this music as a pure,” bassist Vasiliy Motylets says from Moscow. “All these gigs have been bought out. There was (a) large crowd in each area we performed. Folks received up from their locations to bounce and shout. You’ve received to do one thing to assist individuals really feel higher — and also you begin to really feel higher your self, I imagine.”