About

    Russick Smith’s music is steeped in the emotional remnants of his motley, spirited adventures; whether recording at Woodstock studios or sailing the high seas on traditionally rigged ships. Lauded as “uniquely Colorado” by Governor Jared Polis, the cellist and multi-instrumentalist creatively explores landscapes both musical and geographical.

    With a formal education in cello and electric bass, Russick Smith’s foundation bridges contemporary and classical music drawing inspiration from artists such as Edgar Meyer, Mark Orton, Shuggie Otis, and The Bird and the Bee . His interests and recording work have led him to supplement his instrumental repertoire with mandolin, banjo, concertina, double bass, guitar, and other various keyed and string instruments. Smith’s productions are also bolstered by a background in audio engineering. After graduating from the Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences, Smith moved on to cut his teeth as an assistant engineer working under Grammy-winner Justin Guip and platinum-selling engineer John Siket as well as assisting sessions with producers such as David Baron and Paul Stacey. Outside of music, his extracurricular adventures prompted Chris Robinson (Chris Robinson Band, The Black Crowes) to characterize him as “a real-life action man.”

    Described as “a smart, dynamic musician who is doing everything right,” Smith engages audiences by seeking out non-traditional roles and locations for his music. Now well-know for his tree performances, Smith initially took his cello off the ground and into the trees to perform a solo set titled “Music for the Birds” (2016). In the fall of 2017, Smith expanded that concept with violinist Karen Lauffer and mandolinist Kevin Larkin for “Tree-O” (2017), which the Denver Post called a “don’t-miss promise”. “Runoff Reverie”(2017), “A Small Concert on a Tiny Island”(2016), “Through the Blue” (2018, 2019) set Smith in the middle of a river playing to his audience on shore. Even during 2020, Smith put together a water-bound, socially-distant performance incorporating flowing water as a fourth member to Tree-O using a custom constructed water harp.

   Enthusiastically spanning a variety of musical styles, Smith has appeared alongside artists ranging in genre from goth rock to polka, hiphop to bluegrass. Often found performing as a sideman with multiple artists, he most consistently appears with roots rock group Shovelin’ Stone. Smith has been featured by television and radio stations across the country and in print articles for publications throughout Colorado, playing before two Colorado Governors. In 2019, Smith received an Award of Excellence from Major General Mike Loh following a performance in the Colorado State Capital. He has been spotlighted at the Colorado Creative Industries Summit and been a presenter at the Colorado Music Convergence. In 2020, Smith released his first album, Who Chases Two Jackrabbits, on which he composed and performed all of the music. Smith has also appeared with national storytelling organization The Moth as a Mainstage timekeeper and is currently the Lead Music Instructor for The Matthew’s House.

   During the past year, in addition to returning to a more regular performance schedule, he has begun to move into film scoring, completing works for Sly Fox Films, Devil Red Films, and other independent filmmakers.

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