.

.

NATE SMITH
releases brand-new
studio album
‘LIVE-ACTION’

Listen HERE

Alongside focus track
‘LAST SIGHT’
ft. JOSH JOHNSON

+ UK/EU/US Headline
Tour this year

.

.

One of the most important drummers of his generation, 2x GRAMMY-nominated artist, producer, and composer Nate Smith unleashes his studio album ‘LIVE-ACTION’ – dropped via naïve/Believe Music and featuring a serious lineup of musical excellence, including Lalah Hathaway, CARRTOONS, Lionel Loueke, säje, DJ Harrison, Jermaine Holmes, Kiefer, Marquis Hill, and more. Instantly emerging with precision and mastery while proving his artistry remains as vital and influential today as ever, ‘LIVE-ACTION’ lands as a mission statement for Nate Smith’s sprawling, innovative style of contemporary jazz. From fluid improvisation to complex, razor-sharp grooves, the record embodies a dynamic energy, continuously evolving with raw self-expression to form innovative, characterful touches across production, arrangement, and collaboration. The boldness and experimentation of sounds, alongside the creative catalyst to connect some of the most talented musicians and vocalists across the landscape, Nate Smith is a driving force in modern music, inspiring the sound and creative edge to follow.

Speaking on ‘LIVE-ACTION’, Nate Smith states: “I wanted to make a record that sounded like it was recorded on a cassette in my bedroom. I limited my options. I used analog gear. I used the same instruments throughout the album. I did two or three takes of each element, no copy and pastes or anything like that. All of the instruments on the album are played live; nothing is programmed or sequenced.”

He adds: “There are a few sideways notes, a few mistakes – but I think that’s what makes it beautiful. It’s imperfections, its limitations. I really felt it necessary to make this music this way, I wanted it to be the most personal human expression I could muster with the gear I had in the moment. It was about breathing life into static, inanimate objects.”

.

.

A producer-led project in the manner of Quincy Jones, ‘LIVE-ACTION’ features performances from horn player Josh Johnson across the opener “Now” and “Last Sight”, as well as Marquis Hill on “Undefeated” ft. New York rapper JSWISS. Next up, “Automatic” shines through as 5x GRAMMY-winner Lalah Hathaway reharmonizing and recontextualizing The Pointer Sisters’ 1984 smash hit alongside Smith. Another highlight comes from “Magic Dance”; Charlie Hunter (guitarist), Michael League (bassist), and Lionel Loueke (guitarist and lead vocalist) join forces with intuitive interplay as Loueke’s hazy vocals and Smith’s intricate percussion adding a timeless depth to the musical alchemy.

Moving to “Big Fish” ft. säje, the GRAMMY-winning supergroup delivers a powerful vocal performance, bursting with melodic intimacy before the standout cut “Cough Drop” ft. Kiefer and CARRTOONS takes centre stage. Nate Smith praising the ‘knowledge and reverence they both have for jazz’ – laying groundwork for an ensemble enriched with knowing and intent. “Juke Joint” continues the wave while connecting Charlie Hunter with D’Angelo/The Vanguard band member and vocalist Jermaine Holmes, and multi-instrumentalist DJ Harrison. With “Supermoon” drawing the album to a close, the ascending synths and strings develop with such dexterity and character it reaffirms a generational talent with authenticity to cross traditional lines.

.

.

For nearly two decades, the multi-instrumentalist has been a key figure in reinvigorating the international music scene with his visceral, instinctive, and deep- rooted style of drumming. A devoted student of the creative arts since his teenage years, Nate Smith was invited by Betty Carter to join her legendary Jazz Ahead program, performing on drums at New York’s Blue Note with Carter at just 20 years old.

Continuing his pursuit as a professional songwriter and producer – with an early collaboration credit on Michael Jackson’s “Heaven Can Wait” – Smith would become an international touring force, cutting his teeth alongside some of the most influential names in modern jazz, including Dave Holland, Pat Metheny, Chris Potter, José James, John Patitucci, Ravi Coltrane, and Somi.

Firmly establishing his presence as one of the most in-demand players globally, his debut album ‘KINFOLK: Postcards from Everywhere’ would earn 2x GRAMMY nominations, over 20M+ streams on Spotify alone, and serious acclaim from THE NEW YORK TIMES to an incendiary NPR Tiny Desk concert alongside his band.

With further collaborative credits from Childish Gambino, Jon Batiste, and more to performances across major stages, including Madison Square Garden, and his own headline show at KOKO in November, Nate Smith’s fresh, impactful sounds will no doubt place him among the most important musicians still flourishing at the highest levels.

.

.

NATE SMITH
LIVE SHOWS
IN EUROPE 2025

THU 6 NOVEMBER / MADRID, ES / SALA VILLANOS
SAT 8 NOVEMBER / PRAGUE, CZ / LUCERNA MUSIC CAFE
SUN 9 NOVEMBER / BRNO, CZ / SONO CENTRUM
TUE 11 NOVEMBER / AMSTERDAM, NL / PARADISO – NOORD
WED 12 NOVEMBER / BERLIN, DE / GRETCHEN
FRI 14 NOVEMBER / PARIS, FR / NEW MORNING (2 SHOWS)
SUN 16 NOVEMBER / LONDON, UK / KOKO CAMDEN

.

‘LIVE-ACTION’
Track List

1. “Now” ft. Josh Johnson
2. “Undefeated” ft. JSWISS & Marquis Hill
3. “Automatic” ft. Lalah Hathaway
4. “Magic Dance” ft. Lionel Loueke & Michael League
5. “Big Fish” ft. säje
6. “Cough Drop” ft. Kiefer & CARRTOON
7. “Mother and Son” ft. Marquis Hill & Ben Williams
8. “Juke Joint” ft. Jermaine Holmes, Charlie Hunter & DJ Harrison
9. “Last Sight” ft. Josh Johnson
10. “Supermoon”

.

Follow NATE SMITH
TikTok – Instagram – X – Spotify

.

.

AMNPLIFY – DB