About Vincent

/About Vincent
About Vincent 2019-06-18T23:19:04+00:00

Vincent Pierce Smith is a multi instrumentalist, teacher, recording engineer, and composer born in New Jersey, USA.  He received his bachelor degree in music at Rutgers University. Vincent started playing Drum Set professionally at the age of 14 and has toured with different groups ever since. Vincent is a skilled dance accompanist and has played over one thousand Modern and African dance classes. He composes for Modern dance using both electronic and acoustic instruments. He is also an accompanist for the complex Kathak dance of North India and has studied and performed in India and America. He currently tours with the dance and percussion group, “Pradhanica”.
Vincent studied Tabla for 13 years with Tabla Guru, Pandit Divyang Vakil and has applied his knowledge of North Indian Tabla Rhythms onto Drum Set and Cajon. In recent years, Vincent has focused on Cajon and has developed a unique style using Tabla technique. He also plays a full Schlagwerk Cajon Drum set.
Vincent’s latest release is a full length instrumental album called, “The Transcendent State”. The music features Hang and Halo drums, Tabla, Cajon, and synths and was recorded with Kartikeya Arul.
Teaching privately for over 13 years, Vincent has taught hundreds of students. He has teaching experience with various age groups and ability levels. He enjoys teaching and spreading musical knowledge by using multi cultural instruments and styles to encourage communication, understanding, and acceptance through the language of music.

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  • Education
    BA Music, Rutgers University, NJ
    Taalim School of Indian Music, Edison, NJ
    Rhythm Riders School in Ahmedabad, India
  • Teachers & Mentors
    Pandit Divyang Vakil
    Billy Martin (MMW)
    Rushi Vakil
    Kaumil Shah
    Jin JoungJin Won
    Sejal Kukadia
    Loren Oppenheimer
    Scott Martin
    Pat Petrillo,
    Tony Reedus
    Ralph Peterson
    Chris Brown
    Jerome Jennings
    Mike Lukshis
    Tony D’Nicola
  • Performing Experience
    6-Wire
    Pradhanica
    Al Chez and the Brothers of Funk (2017)
    Brummy Brothers (2017)
    AATMA Perfoming Arts (2015)
    Taan (2012)
    The Do Rights (2012)
    Natural Breakdown (2002-2011)
    Amber Blues (2002-2004)
    Adam’s Not Funny (1998-1999)
    Rail 16 (1996-1998)
    Rusted Root
    Billy Martin
    Girish
    SRI Kirtan
    Guru Ganesha
    Sharon Silverstein
    WAH
    Consider the Source
    Mike Montrey Band
    One Eyed Jack
    Rutgers Glee Club
    Monmouth County Orchestra
    Mason Gross Jazz Band
    Mason Gross Dance Classes
    Mason Gross African Ensemble
    Dance Plus, Rutgers
  • Carnegie Hall
    NJPAC
    Kennedy Center for the Performing arts
    Riverside Theater, Milwaukee
    Lisner Auditorium, DC
    World Cafe Live, PA
    Cutting Room, NYC
    BB Kings, NYC
    Summer concert Series – Hudson River NYC
    Princeton Festival, McCarter Theater
    Mountain Jam, NY
    Earth Dance, CA
    Dreamtime Festival, CO
    Fox Theater, CO
    Fairfield Theater Company
    Rockwood Music Hall, NYC
    NAMM Show – Demos for Schlagwerk
    Gear Fest – Sweetwater.com – Demos for Schlagwerk
    Tabla Performances in India and US
    Weddings and Events
  • Radio performances
    WKCR 89.9
    WDHA 105.5
  • Teaching Experience
    Westminster Conservatory, Princeton, NJ
    Rider University, NJ
    Governors School for the Arts, VA
    Music Tech, South brunswick, NJ
    Taalim School of Indian Music, Edison, NJ
    Mason Gross Dance Department, Rutgers
    Mason Gross Extension Division, Rutgers
    Christine Music Academy, Edison, NJ
    Lou Rose Music, Edison, NJ
    Academy of Music, East Brunswick, NJ
    Clinics at PAC
    Private Students
  • Composing & Recording Experience
    Soundscapes” Written and performed live for Mason Gross Dance Plus, December, 2007
    Antigone” Score composed, recorded, and performed for Mason Gross Theater Department, 2008
    Desire” Score composed for, “Enter” choreography by Kim Gibilisco for Dance Plus Fall, 2013
    Glitch” Score composed with Nimisha Mahiyaria – Junior Dance Concert Mason Gross 2015
    Dance is a moving painting” Score composed for Nimisha Mahiyaria – Senior Dance solo at Mason Gross 2015
    A slice of Life” Film score for Chien-Ying Wang 2016
    The Transcendent State” Turiya, 2013
    Milked” Adams Not Funny, 1999
    All The Paths” 2009 Natural Breakdown – Natty B Records
    Inside The One” 2007 Natural Breakdown – Natty B Records
    Kathak Dance Pieces Recorded for Jin Won and Pradhanica
    Sound and lighting Technician for Nicolas Music Center, Mason Gross
    Sound assistant at Music Together, Princeton, NJ
  • Musical Profile
    Rock, Jazz, Latin, Funk, and Fusion.
    African: Djembe, bells
    Indian: Tabla, Nal, Cajon, Drum set
    Latin: Congas, Bongos, Timbales, Cajon, Drum set
    Frame Drum, Steel Drum, Snare Drum, Piano
    Electronic music – Ableton, Maschine, Moog Analog Synths
  • Endorser For
    Schlagwerk Percussion, Germany
    Regal Tip, USA, NY
    Torres Cajon Mic Systems
    TRX