Steve Smith talks Journey, Don't Stop Believin, and more
Posted: Tue May 26, 2015 12:09 pmFormer Journey drummer Steve Smith to play Harrisburg with jazz band; talks 'Don't Stop Believin',' new music and more
Jewel Wicker | jwicker@pennlive.com By Jewel Wicker | jwicker@pennlive.com
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on May 22, 2015 at 3:59 PM, updated May 22, 2015 at 4:13 PM
Steve Smith won't perform "Don't Stop Believin'" when he performs with his jazz band in Harrisburg later this month, but the former Journey drummer had nothing but nice things to say about his time with the band.
•Must-see concerts this summer
"I had great time playing in Journey. It was an exciting time in my youth. I played with Journey from the time I was 24 [years old] until I was 30 [years old]," he said.
Smith said he formed the jazz band Vital Information while he was still performing with Journey.
"When I got the chance to record a solo album as a Journey member the first thing I did was put together a jazz group and make that first Vital Information record," he said.
Since then, the band has had several reincarnations. The current one is called Vital Information: NYC Edition, because all of the current members reside in New York.
On Tuesday the band will release their new album Viewpoint and celebrate it by playing a show at River City Blues Club.
Smith said he's excited to be playing in Harrisburg on such a special day, because Pennsylvania as a state has always been welcoming to jazz musicians. He said he has been a part of several bands that have played in the area.
"When I played there before, it's actually been Harrisburg and also in Lebanon. I know that there's a great jazz audience in Pennsylvania," he said. "In fact, of all the states in the country, we play more gigs in Pennsylvania than in any other state. We also play in Reading and Scranton as well."
Smith said he believes Pennsylvania's love for jazz music stems from the fact that venues take chances and book a lot of jazz acts, allowing locals to get introduced to the genre in a live setting.
While you won't hear any Journey songs during the show, Smith said Vital Information will be playing music from their new album and more.
Smith did speak to us about "Don't Stop Believin'" briefly, however.
"It's interesting, 30 years later the tune is really a bigger hit than it was when it first came out. And it was a big hit [before]," he said.
He said he believes the fact that the song resonates with different generations is a testament to how timeless it is.
Copies of Viewpoint will be available for sale at the show. Smith said the band will also be around to sign copies and meet fans.
Details: 8 pm.; May 26; River City Blues Club, 819 South Cameron Street, Harrisburg; Cost: $22; rivercityhbg.com.
http://www.pennlive.com/entertainment/i ... eve_s.html
Jewel Wicker | jwicker@pennlive.com By Jewel Wicker | jwicker@pennlive.com
Email the author | Follow on Twitter
on May 22, 2015 at 3:59 PM, updated May 22, 2015 at 4:13 PM
Steve Smith won't perform "Don't Stop Believin'" when he performs with his jazz band in Harrisburg later this month, but the former Journey drummer had nothing but nice things to say about his time with the band.
•Must-see concerts this summer
"I had great time playing in Journey. It was an exciting time in my youth. I played with Journey from the time I was 24 [years old] until I was 30 [years old]," he said.
Smith said he formed the jazz band Vital Information while he was still performing with Journey.
"When I got the chance to record a solo album as a Journey member the first thing I did was put together a jazz group and make that first Vital Information record," he said.
Since then, the band has had several reincarnations. The current one is called Vital Information: NYC Edition, because all of the current members reside in New York.
On Tuesday the band will release their new album Viewpoint and celebrate it by playing a show at River City Blues Club.
Smith said he's excited to be playing in Harrisburg on such a special day, because Pennsylvania as a state has always been welcoming to jazz musicians. He said he has been a part of several bands that have played in the area.
"When I played there before, it's actually been Harrisburg and also in Lebanon. I know that there's a great jazz audience in Pennsylvania," he said. "In fact, of all the states in the country, we play more gigs in Pennsylvania than in any other state. We also play in Reading and Scranton as well."
Smith said he believes Pennsylvania's love for jazz music stems from the fact that venues take chances and book a lot of jazz acts, allowing locals to get introduced to the genre in a live setting.
While you won't hear any Journey songs during the show, Smith said Vital Information will be playing music from their new album and more.
Smith did speak to us about "Don't Stop Believin'" briefly, however.
"It's interesting, 30 years later the tune is really a bigger hit than it was when it first came out. And it was a big hit [before]," he said.
He said he believes the fact that the song resonates with different generations is a testament to how timeless it is.
Copies of Viewpoint will be available for sale at the show. Smith said the band will also be around to sign copies and meet fans.
Details: 8 pm.; May 26; River City Blues Club, 819 South Cameron Street, Harrisburg; Cost: $22; rivercityhbg.com.
http://www.pennlive.com/entertainment/i ... eve_s.html
