Kendrick Smith of East St. Louis is only 22 years old. Yet, his love of jazz and natural musical aptitude have led some to liken him to one of the most influential saxophonists in jazz history, Charlie “Bird” Parker, leading to the nickname “Baby Bird.”
Kendrick and his band mates Micah Walker (drums), Ryan Coleman (piano) and Ryan Chamberlin (bass) have been lucky to score weekly gigs around St. Louis. Lucky because, Kendrick says, St. Louis is a tough market for jazz musicians due to a lack of strong support, particularly from the African-American community.
The Kendrick Smith Quartet formed as college students at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville where Kendrick was pursing a degree in jazz performance.
They have played at jazz venues throughout St. Louis like Robbie’s House of Jazz in Webster Groves, with Mae Wheeler at the Delmar Lounge in The Loop, and Spriull’s.
It was at Spruill’s where Kendrick met local jazz historian Richard Henderson, president of Crusaders for Jazz, during a sit-in with legendary local tenor saxophonist Willie Akins. Henderson recommended Kendrick and his band for their current gig at the Premiere Lounge.
“This young boy needs to be heard,” Henderson said of Kendrick.
Since early October 2012, the Kendrick Smith Quartet has played at the Premier Lounge, 5969 Martin Luther King, near Wellston. At that time, James Smith, father of Premier Lounge owner Curtis Smith, sought jazz artists with hopes to develop young talent and create a jazz following at the venue. Smith said attendance is increasing during jazz sets.
Kendrick’s mother, Gerria McAffee, rarely misses an opportunity to catch one of her son’s performances.
“I just expect Charlie Parker to walk up in here one day and just stand on stage with him,” McAffee said. “He plays like they played.”
She can be found tucked away in a corner at the Premier Lounge with her head bobbing away to the music. She is joined by regulars, mostly those fortunate enough to have heard jazz greats like Parker and John Coltrane play during the genre’s heyday.
It’s a privilege, Kendrick says, that he doesn’t take for granted because they keep him musically on his toes.
“They know what it sounds like,” Kendrick said. “They say, ‘You played that note wrong.’”
Music is a family affair. Kendrick first began playing music at 13 when his mother put a clarinet in his hand, an heirloom that has been in the family for 20 years. The clarinet was given to his mother by her older sister, Kimberly Cannon, when she was a child. His father, Sirrendrick Smith, also plays the trombone.
“Music is inbred in him,” McAffee said of her son, whom she says took to music like a fish to water. “It’s a God-given gift.”
Henderson has taken on a mentoring role and has followed Smith’s musical career, watching him improve every step of the way.
“It’s not many young people out here trying to play the music to keep these people and their names alive,” Henderson said. “So, when I find a person like that, I can’t do nothing but take up a lot of time with him and try to help him as much as I can.”
The Kendrick Smith Quartet plays the Premiere Lounge, 5969 Martin Luther King, every Saturday 3-7 p.m.
Follow this reporter on Twitter: @BridjesONeil.
