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Guitarist Ronny Smith at Branford Jazz Aug. 18

From Europe to South America to the United States, music has swept guitarist Ronny Smith off of his feet and directed him toward being an incredible and popular force in the contemporary jazz industry.

On Thursday, Aug. 18, this renowned artist will be spotlighted as part of the Branford Jazz Concert Series on the Branford Town Green from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

A Grammy-considered artist, Ronny left the University of Maryland as music education major to pursue the life as a guitarist and a United States Army Bandsman. He toured extensively throughout the world and has shared the stage with such notables as the Marvelettes, jazz drummer Bobby Durham, and trumpeter Donald Bryd. Ronny has recorded with some of the top session musicians of the Nashville and the California scene.

In 2009, Ronny was signed to Pacific Coast Jazz record label and soon after released his fifth project, Just Groovin. Shake It Up, his seventh release, which is spinning internationally, and soon to be nationally. In 2013, under the Creative Soul Next Level Jazz label, Ronny released Can’t Stop Now. His sixth release as a solo artist features the fantastic singles, “Slim Pickin” and “City Groove,” of which “City Groove” quickly became number 1 on Billboards’ BDS New and Active Smooth Jazz chart listing. Shortly thereafter, it rose to become number 25 on Billboards’ BDS radio Smooth Jazz National Airplay Top- 30 chart.

Ronny’s additional discography includes, Simply Stated, his fourth release, which features the single “Bossa Awhile,” “Got Groove,” as well as his third release, Laid Back, and second release, Long Time Comin.

By and large, his 2020 album, Raise The Roof is the “Ronny Smith show,” front, back, and center. Not only does he play guitar, keys and bass throughout, he also arranges, produces and programs all 10 tunes. Eight of these are original compositions are cleverly complemented by the addition of two immaculately crafted covers. The first is an edgy interpretation of the Bill Withers classic “Use Me” with the second being a classy re-imagining of the Carpenters’ blockbuster “Superstar.”