EP 96: He Was the Kid With a Guitar—Now He Teaches the Greats

On this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I sit down with master guitarist, composer, and educator Richard Smith—a man who’s been shaping smooth jazz from every angle for decades. Born in Detroit and raised in Eugene, Oregon, Richard’s musical journey began with a spark from a Chick Corea concert at just 14 years old. That one moment set the stage for a life of passion, discipline, and bold choices—including skipping school, landing a record deal, and eventually becoming a professor shaping the next generation of jazz musicians.

From his early days sneaking into shows to studying the intricacies of tango in Argentina, Richard’s story is filled with color, rhythm, and sharp turns. He shares how jazz clubs in Eugene opened his ears, how a phone call to his girlfriend turned into a fork in the road, and why he never looked back.
We dive deep into his influences—Pat Metheny, Robben Ford, Larry Carlton—and what it means to write music that actually moves an audience. Richard also takes us inside his creative space, talks about why discipline is everything, and how teaching is its own kind of performance.

He breaks down the power of the first 8 bars in smooth jazz, why Adam Hawley’s success makes him proud, and how composing is more than playing—it's building with geometry and feeling. Whether you’re an artist, educator, or a lover of musical storytelling, Richard’s perspective will leave you inspired to create, refine, and stay true to your sound.

Connect with Richard: https://www.richardsmithguitar.com/